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Water stress is considered as the main environmental factor which badly affects growth of sunflower plant. It is a water sensitive plant whose yield is greatly affected by drought stress. Several studies have been done to understand the mechanism of drought stress tolerance in plants, and exploring the role of stress tolerant genes is one of them. KCS genes, responsible for wax biosynthesis, have been reported to be involved in drought stress tolerance mechanism. In this study, expression profiling of KCS genes was done to understand their role in stress mechanism. Comparative genomics studies of KCS genes were carried out in sunflower and Arabidopsis by constructing phylogenetic tree. They were divided into six clades, however they were present in the same clade showing similarities between Arabidopsis and sunflower. It was further confirmed by Synteny analysis and concluded that KCS genes in both species share the same evolutionary origin. Further, they were amplified in sunflower by using gene specific primers. Five genes, i.e. KCS2, KCS4, KCS5, KCS10 and KCS18 were successfully amplified in sunflower variety FH-593. Then, sunflower plants were subjected to drought stress and expression profiling of amplified KCS genes was carried out by Real Time PCR. All the five genes were up-regulated under drought showing their role in stress conditions; however, the expression level of each gene was varied. Maximum relative expression was found for KCS4 gene in T1, i.e. 19 fold as compared to control. The expression of other genes was found in decreasing order as indicated KCS4>KCS2>KCS5>KCS10>KCS18 (relative expression: 19, 12, 5, 4 and 3 respectively). Biochemical analyses were also performed and significant variation was found among treatments and control. Total chlorophyll contents were decreased under drought stress while antioxidants like catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and proline were increased. Our results showed the role of KCS genes in drought stress which is first ever report in sunflower. This study concluded that KCS genes have role in drought stress tolerance and their expression is significantly up-regulated under stress conditions. The information presented here may help to further characterize KCS genes and their subsequent use to engineer drought stress in crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stress is considered as the main environmental factor which badly affects growth of sunflower plant. It is a water sensitive plant whose yield is greatly affected by drought stress. Several studies have been done to understand the mechanism of drought stress tolerance in plants, and exploring the role of stress tolerant genes is one of them. KCS genes, responsible for wax biosynthesis, have been reported to be involved in drought stress tolerance mechanism. In this study, expression profiling of KCS genes was done to understand their role in stress mechanism. Comparative genomics studies of KCS genes were carried out in sunflower and Arabidopsis by constructing phylogenetic tree. They were divided into six clades, however they were present in the same clade showing similarities between Arabidopsis and sunflower. It was further confirmed by Synteny analysis and concluded that KCS genes in both species share the same evolutionary origin. Further, they were amplified in sunflower by using gene specific primers. Five genes, i.e. KCS2, KCS4, KCS5, KCS10 and KCS18 were successfully amplified in sunflower variety FH-593. Then, sunflower plants were subjected to drought stress and expression profiling of amplified KCS genes was carried out by Real Time PCR. All the five genes were up-regulated under drought showing their role in stress conditions; however, the expression level of each gene was varied. Maximum relative expression was found for KCS4 gene in T1, i.e. 19 fold as compared to control. The expression of other genes was found in decreasing order as indicated KCS4>KCS2>KCS5>KCS10>KCS18 (relative expression: 19, 12, 5, 4 and 3 respectively). Biochemical analyses were also performed and significant variation was found among treatments and control. Total chlorophyll contents were decreased under drought stress while antioxidants like catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and proline were increased. Our results showed the role of KCS genes in drought stress which is first ever report in sunflower. This study concluded that KCS genes have role in drought stress tolerance and their expression is significantly up-regulated under stress conditions. The information presented here may help to further characterize KCS genes and their subsequent use to engineer drought stress in crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is one of the most important fruit crops worldwide. Mango has a long history of cultivation in Indo-Pak region which resulted in the development of novel regional germplasm as well as many famous mango cultivars. For sustaining the mango production especially in the present scenario of changing climate, it is important to characterize and estimate the genetic divergence among the mango genotypes-cultivars germplasm. To the extent of our knowledge, little efforts have been made to explore the magnitude of genetic divergence among the mango genotypes-cultivars. In this study, the genetic diversity assessments among 32 including 25 local and 7 exotic genotype-cultivars have been calculated using thirty-five simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The most informative primer was found Micir-6 while the polymorphism information content (PIC) value of all SSRs was found low, i.e., 0.168 - 0.5. Genetic diversity ranged from 15% to 47% among cultivars with a mean value 30%. The dissimilarity coefficients based unweighted pair group of arithmetic means (UPGMA) was used to make clusters. Mostly East Indian, North Indian and Pakistani cultivars were grouped in one cluster while South Indian and Florida cultivars in other according to the dendogram. The present study would help in taking proactive decision to buffer the spread of any epidemics and will also be helpful in initiating marker-assisted breeding program for developing cultivars with excellent genetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oocytes are bathed in extracellular fluid of the antral follicles, which is termed follicular fluid (FF). Follicular fluid is synthesized from secretions of theca, granulosa and cumulus cells and from a transudate of blood plasma. Oocytes persist in meiotic arrest in antral follicles until luteinizing hormone (LH) surge or removal the oocytes from the ovarian follicles. This suggests that FF before LH surge might contain meiosis inhibiting factor(s). The microvasculatory bed of the follicular wall and the composition of FF undergo changes during follicular growth and development, which is important for oocyte maturation and subsequent embryo development. Therefore, it is expected that FF composition and components might change according to timing of FF aspiration from follicles. Hence, negative or positive effects could be expected when FF supplemented during oocyte maturation in vitro. Nutrition effects on microvasculatory bed of follicles and their sizes. Thus, the nutritional status of animals is a factor affected on oocyte maturation and embryo development. The present article reviews and discusses these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea is an economically important food crop and its production is affected by many biotic and abiotic factors. One of the common pathogens among root rot and wilt is Fusarium in chickpea producing regions of the world which causes yield loss upto 10% to 40%. In this study twenty eight chickpea genotypes were analysed for resistance against Fusarium caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceris wilt using both conventional and molecular methods to identify source of resistance. In conventional method, 28 chickpea germplasm lines were tested for effect of Fusarium oxysporum (Foc) belonging to race 2 in a completely randomized pattern. After about four weeks of inoculation the resistance and susceptibility of plants to Foc was obvious. In molecular analyses all twenty eight genotypes were screened with primers TA110, Tr19, Ts82, TA194, TA27 and TA96 and CS27A which are closely linked markers with Foc 2 resistance gene (Accession No. FJ538241). In eighteen of the genotypes the results of conventional study was found in accordance with molecular analysis. Marker assisted selection may be helpful in screening of available chickpea genotypes for wilt resistant genes. Chickpea genotypes identified as resistant during this study may be exploited in breeding programs to develop Foc race 2 resistant germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was an approach to provide the information about the diversity of rhizobacteria involved directly or indirectly in the plant growth and development. Among molecular markers, RAPD proved to be the most promising tool to delineate rhizobacterial strains. Seventeen bacterial strains of rhizobacteria were isolated from different parts of Pakistan (Sargodha, Mianwali, Karak and Faisalabad). RAPD analysis of these strains has shown a high degree of polymorphism. Range of genetic similarity was observed 0.543-0.927. Cluster analysis resulted into three clusters (I, II and III). Cluster I comprised of bacterial strains collected from Faisalabad, cluster II comprised of Strains collected from Sargodha while cluster III included strains from Mianwali. Strains isolated from the Karak region were not making any cluster. These results have shown that soil conditions and local environment has a significant impact on genetic make-up of bacterial strains. Further 16S rRNA analysis of the strain was performed to validate the results. Results of 16S rRNA analysis have revealed that most dominating species were Bacillus sp. and two strains were also showing homology with Brevibacterium halotolerans. The findings of this study were very promising for the application of PGPRs for plant growth improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim S-layer proteins are considered as a good nanocarrier due to their binding and self-assembled properties. These can be used to prepare the immunomatrixes for the removal of toxins from the samples. Methods and Results Two S-layer proteins 70 and 40 kDa of thermophilic Thermobifida fusca were extracted with guanidine hydrochloride and purified. Antibodies against S-layer proteins were developed, and their monospecificity was checked. Immunogold labelling indicated that these are surface proteins. Immunomatrixes (70- SLIM, 40 SLIM) were prepared by covalently immobilizing S-layer proteins in microwell and further conjugated with anti- Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B ( SEB) antibodies. The binding of 70 and 40 kDa proteins was observed nearly 7·0 μg cm−1 to binding area, and the conjugation with anti- SEB antibodies was found 1·22 μg μg−1 of 70 kDa and 0·875 μg μg−1 of 40 kDa. The average binding and elution of pure SEB toxin on 70- SLIM and 40- SLIM was 5·0 μg SEB toxin. The SEB toxin in milk samples was also removed on immunomatrixes successfully. Conclusion It is the first report, and this study shows that the thermophilic S-layer proteins can be used to prepare the immunomatrixes. Significance and Impact of Study Information in this study can be used to design the strategies for the removal of biologically important materials or toxins from samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical gene flow is a major ecological concern where transgenic crops are under cultivation. Rate of vertical gene flow is helpful to determine genetic contamination of Bt and non-Bt cultivars. Vertical gene flow was determined by analyzing the DNA isolated from leaf samples. The DNA was amplified by PCR using gene specific primers for various Bt genes, e.g. MON-531 event, cry1Ac and cry2A genes. Total 316 samples including Bt (76 samples) and non-Bt (240 samples) cotton were analyzed. Bt cotton samples, showed 22%, 15% and 9% gene flow from non Bt cotton for MON531 event, cry1Ac and cry2A respectively. Non-Bt cotton resulted in 20%, 10% and 10% gene flow from Bt cotton for MON531 event, cry1Ac and cry2A respectively. The results clearly showed that MON531 event has major share in vertical gene flow in transgenic cotton in Pakistan. Our results indicated the current position of genetic contamination due to transgenic cotton in Pakistan. The percentage of gene flow will increase every passing year. So, here we recommend to cultivate Bt cotton according to the recommendations of National Bisafety Committee (NBC) and use of proper measures to control vertical gene flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Poor tree management significantly reduce productivity and quality of citrus fruit. • Application of 0.5 ml L −1 'Primo' improved leaf macro and micro-nutrients of citrus. • Multiple applications at full bloom and fruit set stages resulted in increase in vegetative growth and marketable yield. • Fruit harvested from trees sprayed with 0.5 ml L −1 'Primo' exhibited highest increase in fruit physical and biochemical quality characteristics. Poor tree nutrient management significantly reduce productivity and quality of citrus fruit. Hence in three separate experiments, exogenous supplemental application of 0.5 mL L −1 'Primo' (Ascophylum nodosum seaweed extract + amino acid and) + 0.01% 'Tween 20′) was sprayed on citrus cvs. 'Kinnow', 'Feutrell's Early' mandarins and 'Blood Red' orange trees. Trees were sprayed at full bloom (T2), fruit setting (T3), full bloom + fruit setting (T4), or full bloom + fruit setting + premature (T5) stages at a same concentration. Unsprayed trees of each cvs. were kept as control (T1). In contrast to untreated control trees, the application of 0.05% Primo at full bloom + fruit setting stage caused significant increase in leaf N (28%), K (36%), Mn (24.4%), Zn (15.8%), tree height (28.5%), fruit weight tree−1 (42.6%), fruits tree−1 (28.6%), marketable fruit (9%), fruit size (11.5%), SSC (16%), SSC:TA ratio (26.8%), reducing sugars (37.5%), ascorbic acid (21.8%) and total phenolic contents (42%) in 'Kinnow' mandarins. Likewise, sprayed trees of 'Feutrell's Early' in T 4 exhibits higher leaf N (27%), Fe (11.9%), Zn (26.4%), fruit weight tree−1 (28.5%), fruits tree−1 (40%), marketable fruit (12.7%), fruit size (15.9%), juice weight percentage (17.6%), taste (23%), SSC (15.7%) and total sugars (42%). Whereas, in case of 'Blood Red' oranges, same treatment (T4) resulted in highest level of leaf N (50%), Fe (15%), tree height (37%), leaf size (38.8%), fruit weight tree−1 (42%), number of fruits tree−1 (45%), marketable fruit (8%), juice weight percentage (15.6%), SSC (19%), SSC:TA ratio (43.8%), reducing sugars (45%) and total phenolic contents (28%) than control. In addition, reduction in fruit drop, peel thickness and TA were also observed in treated trees of all cvs. as compared to untreated control. In conclusion, supplemental application of 0.5 mL L −1 'Primo' at full bloom + fruit setting stages improved vegetative growth, productivity and quality of 'Kinnow', 'Feutrell's Early' and 'Blood Red' fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]