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Archana Dubey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Identification of species-specific RAPD markers in genus Cenchrus.
Journal of environmental biology, 2010Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:Cenchrus is an important component of major grass cover of world. Similar to the other major tropical grasses most of the species in genus Cenchrus are also apomictic in nature hence correct and precise identification of accessions and species are problematic and dubious. In the present study 187 decamer oligonucleotide primers were tested for PCR-based DNA amplification of six prominent species of genus Cenchrus. Of these, 32 potential repetitive and polymorphic primers were tested for identification of species-specific markers for C. ciliaris, C. setigerus, C. pennisetiformis, C. prieurri, C. biflorus and C. myosuroides. These primers yielded 51 unique RAPD markers either specific to a species (37) or shared by two or more species (14). Maximum markers were shared between C. ciliaris and C. setigerus confirming their more closeness to each other. Primers like OPF09, OPF11, OPR15, OPAJ11, OPQ10 and OPAK20 generated strong intense bands can be used on priority in identifying the species from their natural habitat for the development of species-specific core germplasm. Due to apomictic nature this is the prime method of developing cultivars, as morphological characters are largely unable to distinguish them. The level of variation observed clearly suggest RAPD as an appropriate marker for genetic studies and in identifying the lines with species-specific markers for Cenchrus germplasm management activity and also maintaining identity and purity for proprietary reasons.
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Effect of ploidy levels on the activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in Cenchrus species grown under water stress
Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 2009Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:The effects of ploidy levels on the activities of delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS; EC not assigned), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents were studied in two months old plants of Cenchrus species. The Cenchrus species represent three ploidy levels: diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid and two life spans: annual and perennial. Plants were subjected to water stress for 2, 4, 6 and 8 d by withholding water under glasshouse conditions. Although the levels of proline increased with the magnitude of water stress, the P5CS activity did not show a corresponding increase in all species. Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities showed an increase or steady state in the early phase of drought and then declined with the further increase in the magnitude of water stress, indicating differing behaviors of species towards drought tolerance. Under drought, diploid Cenchrus species had a higher POX activity, MDA accumulation and lower proline content than tetraploid species. Lower POX and higher P5CS activities and proline contents, however, were observed in hexaploid and tetraploid species. Taken together, our findings suggest that diploid species have a less efficient antioxidant system to scavenge reactive oxygen species than tetra and hexaploid Cenchrus. This may result in a corresponding variability in growth and persistence under natural grasslands. The study also paves the way for investigations on the molecular events associated with drought in Cenchrus species differing in ploidy and life span.
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Assessment of ploidy level on stress tolerance of Cenchrus species based on leaf photosynthetic characteristics
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2009Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:Many species of the genus Cenchrus, with different ploidy are important components of world grasslands. In the present investigation, influence of ploidy on leaf water potential (Ψleaf) and photosynthetic characteristics under water-stress condition was studied in 2-month-old plants of eight Cenchrus species representing three ploidy and two life spans. Stress was imposed for 2, 4, 6, and 8 days by withholding watering. Decrease in water potential, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (P N), stomatal conductance for CO2 (g s), and carboxylation efficiency (P N/C i) occurred in all species. Nevertheless, perennial and diploid C. setigerus maintained the highest P N/C i at maximum stress indicating its higher assimilation potential. Photosynthetic water use efficiency (P N/E) in general decreased with increase of water stress; however, at low stress, reverse trend was observed in diploid C. prieurri, C. setigerus, and tetraploid C. glaucus. Results indicate that relative reduction in photosynthetic characteristics was more in annual diploid than perennial diploid and tetraploid. Stress tolerance in terms of plant height, rolling and wilting of leaves also indicated better adaptability of tetra and hexaploid species over diploid. Moreover, recovery of different physiological traits was more pronounced in perennial tetraploid and hexaploid over annual diploid, thus making them suited more to drought conditions. Analysis of variance results showed direct correlation (r = 0.675) of ploidy with gas exchange parameters indicating better impact of this on physiological performance of different species of Cenchrus under water stress. This is the first report where influence of ploidy levels on photosynthetic characteristics and overall responses to moisture stress is studied in a tropical grass species.
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Transferability of STS markers for studying genetic diversity within the genus Cenchrus (Poaceae)
Current Science, 2007Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:Characterization of major tropical grasses is often difficult because of few discriminant morphological traits that exist due to apomictic nature of the crop. Furthermore, few molecular markers are publicly accessible. In this communication we have analysed eight prominent species of genus Cenchrus using isozyme markers and also the transferability of sequence tagged site (STS) markers of Stylosanthes, a tropical fodder legume in five species of Cenchrus. Of the 11 STS markers developed on the basis of cDNA sequences of functional genes, ten have generated scorable bands, whereas only four have reacted among the six STS developed based on sequences of the clones of PstI library of Stylosanthes. Totally 195 bands were scored, of which 83% was polymorphic. Of the total 25 enzyme-coding loci generated from nine enzyme systems, 18 were polymorphic yielding 75 alleles. STS and isozyme markers separated the annual from the perennial species. However, C. myosuroides being perennial clustered with the annual species, possibly a bridging species among two growth habits. Results possibly suggest the use of trans genus STS markers in the analysis of polymorphism preferably at species level.
Amaresh Chandra - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Identification of species-specific RAPD markers in genus Cenchrus.
Journal of environmental biology, 2010Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:Cenchrus is an important component of major grass cover of world. Similar to the other major tropical grasses most of the species in genus Cenchrus are also apomictic in nature hence correct and precise identification of accessions and species are problematic and dubious. In the present study 187 decamer oligonucleotide primers were tested for PCR-based DNA amplification of six prominent species of genus Cenchrus. Of these, 32 potential repetitive and polymorphic primers were tested for identification of species-specific markers for C. ciliaris, C. setigerus, C. pennisetiformis, C. prieurri, C. biflorus and C. myosuroides. These primers yielded 51 unique RAPD markers either specific to a species (37) or shared by two or more species (14). Maximum markers were shared between C. ciliaris and C. setigerus confirming their more closeness to each other. Primers like OPF09, OPF11, OPR15, OPAJ11, OPQ10 and OPAK20 generated strong intense bands can be used on priority in identifying the species from their natural habitat for the development of species-specific core germplasm. Due to apomictic nature this is the prime method of developing cultivars, as morphological characters are largely unable to distinguish them. The level of variation observed clearly suggest RAPD as an appropriate marker for genetic studies and in identifying the lines with species-specific markers for Cenchrus germplasm management activity and also maintaining identity and purity for proprietary reasons.
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Effect of ploidy levels on the activities of Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in Cenchrus species grown under water stress
Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB, 2009Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:The effects of ploidy levels on the activities of delta(1)-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS; EC not assigned), superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) and guaiacol peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline contents were studied in two months old plants of Cenchrus species. The Cenchrus species represent three ploidy levels: diploid, tetraploid, hexaploid and two life spans: annual and perennial. Plants were subjected to water stress for 2, 4, 6 and 8 d by withholding water under glasshouse conditions. Although the levels of proline increased with the magnitude of water stress, the P5CS activity did not show a corresponding increase in all species. Peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities showed an increase or steady state in the early phase of drought and then declined with the further increase in the magnitude of water stress, indicating differing behaviors of species towards drought tolerance. Under drought, diploid Cenchrus species had a higher POX activity, MDA accumulation and lower proline content than tetraploid species. Lower POX and higher P5CS activities and proline contents, however, were observed in hexaploid and tetraploid species. Taken together, our findings suggest that diploid species have a less efficient antioxidant system to scavenge reactive oxygen species than tetra and hexaploid Cenchrus. This may result in a corresponding variability in growth and persistence under natural grasslands. The study also paves the way for investigations on the molecular events associated with drought in Cenchrus species differing in ploidy and life span.
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Assessment of ploidy level on stress tolerance of Cenchrus species based on leaf photosynthetic characteristics
Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 2009Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:Many species of the genus Cenchrus, with different ploidy are important components of world grasslands. In the present investigation, influence of ploidy on leaf water potential (Ψleaf) and photosynthetic characteristics under water-stress condition was studied in 2-month-old plants of eight Cenchrus species representing three ploidy and two life spans. Stress was imposed for 2, 4, 6, and 8 days by withholding watering. Decrease in water potential, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate (P N), stomatal conductance for CO2 (g s), and carboxylation efficiency (P N/C i) occurred in all species. Nevertheless, perennial and diploid C. setigerus maintained the highest P N/C i at maximum stress indicating its higher assimilation potential. Photosynthetic water use efficiency (P N/E) in general decreased with increase of water stress; however, at low stress, reverse trend was observed in diploid C. prieurri, C. setigerus, and tetraploid C. glaucus. Results indicate that relative reduction in photosynthetic characteristics was more in annual diploid than perennial diploid and tetraploid. Stress tolerance in terms of plant height, rolling and wilting of leaves also indicated better adaptability of tetra and hexaploid species over diploid. Moreover, recovery of different physiological traits was more pronounced in perennial tetraploid and hexaploid over annual diploid, thus making them suited more to drought conditions. Analysis of variance results showed direct correlation (r = 0.675) of ploidy with gas exchange parameters indicating better impact of this on physiological performance of different species of Cenchrus under water stress. This is the first report where influence of ploidy levels on photosynthetic characteristics and overall responses to moisture stress is studied in a tropical grass species.
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Transferability of STS markers for studying genetic diversity within the genus Cenchrus (Poaceae)
Current Science, 2007Co-Authors: Amaresh Chandra, Archana DubeyAbstract:Characterization of major tropical grasses is often difficult because of few discriminant morphological traits that exist due to apomictic nature of the crop. Furthermore, few molecular markers are publicly accessible. In this communication we have analysed eight prominent species of genus Cenchrus using isozyme markers and also the transferability of sequence tagged site (STS) markers of Stylosanthes, a tropical fodder legume in five species of Cenchrus. Of the 11 STS markers developed on the basis of cDNA sequences of functional genes, ten have generated scorable bands, whereas only four have reacted among the six STS developed based on sequences of the clones of PstI library of Stylosanthes. Totally 195 bands were scored, of which 83% was polymorphic. Of the total 25 enzyme-coding loci generated from nine enzyme systems, 18 were polymorphic yielding 75 alleles. STS and isozyme markers separated the annual from the perennial species. However, C. myosuroides being perennial clustered with the annual species, possibly a bridging species among two growth habits. Results possibly suggest the use of trans genus STS markers in the analysis of polymorphism preferably at species level.
C. Luna - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Relationship between seed yield and its component characters in Cenchrus spp.
Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 2012Co-Authors: S. Griffa, M. Quiroga, A. Ribotta, E. López Colomba, E. Carloni, E. Tommasino, C. Luna, K. GrunbergAbstract:Cenchrus setigerus, C. sp., eleven obligate apomictic cultivars and a sexual line of Cenchrus ciliaris L. were studied to determine the relationship between seed production and its component characters, through principal component analysis, path correlation analysis and analysis of variance. A completely randomized field design was used. Ten vegetative and reproductive morphological characters were measured. Seed production was influenced directly by panicle weight and indirectly by panicle length, 1000 seed weight, length and width of flag leaf lamina and length of flag leaf sheath. Panicle weight showed high heritability and variability among genotypes. Hence, panicle weight can be considered a selection criterion to obtain increased seed production in Cenchrus. The cultivar Lucero INTA PEMAN exhibited the highest panicle weight and, therefore, greatest seed production, which makes it suitable for selection as parental cultivar to obtain new germplasm in Cenchrus with high seed yield.
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Obtaining new germplasm in Cenchrus ciliaris L. through induced-mutation and in vitro selection Obtención de nuevo germoplasma en Cenchrus ciliaris L. a través de mutaciones inducidas y selección in vitro
2011Co-Authors: López Colomba E, S. Griffa, A. Ribotta, E. Carloni, E. Tommasino, C. Luna, A Prina, K. GrunbergAbstract:Cenchrus ciliaris L., a forage grass of wide distribution in the north-west of Argentina, is a tetraploid (4x = 36) and obligate apomictic species. One way of obtaining novel germplasm is by in- duced mutations. In this work, physical and chemical mutations are combined with in vitro selection procedures seeking for new germ- plasm, with emphasis on salinity and drought tolerance. Mature seeds of Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv Biloela were subjected to treatments with X rays (400 Gy) and ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) water solution (5.5 mM for 24 h). To perform in vitro selection, after 7 days of EMS or X rays treatments, germinated seeds were transferred to tubes containing Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with NaCl or mannitol to simulate salinity and drought conditions, respectively. Fifty-four selected plants were isolated which tolerated 200 mM NaCl and 100 mM mannitol. Both mutagenic agents ex- hibited similar percentages of induced genetic variation measured through RAPD polymorphisms. This work demonstrated that ge - netic variability can be generated in Cenchrus ciliaris L. using muta- genic agents and in vitro selection.
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Oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses as potential indicators of salt-tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes.
Flora - Morphology Distribution Functional Ecology of Plants, 2010Co-Authors: Sofia Lanza Castelli, S. Griffa, A. Ribotta, K. Grunberg, Nacira Muñoz, Eliana López Colomba, E. Biderbost, C. LunaAbstract:Abstract Oxidative stress was used as a tool for a differential characterization of salt-tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes, as part of a genetic improvement program. Four genotypes of Cenchrus ciliaris L. were subjected to gradual salinity stress. After 17 days of 300 mM NaCl treatment, the level of damage in morphological traits was lower in two genotypes, Americana and Biloela (named the salt-tolerant genotypes), than in Texas and Sexual (named the less salt-tolerant genotypes). Oxidative stress characters were evaluated at early time points of salt treatment. Thus, at 48 h, salt tolerance in Americana was correlated with a lower increase in total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity but a higher increase in total catalase (CAT) activity than in the less tolerant Texas. Salt tolerance was accompanied by a decrease in oxidative damage, evaluated as foliar malondialdehyde (MDA) and O 2 − content in roots, in salt-tolerant Americana, as compared with the less salt tolerant, Texas. Moreover, in the more salt-tolerant Americana, the decrease in O 2 − in roots was associated with an enhanced total SOD activity. To validate oxidative damage characters they were measured in Biloela and Sexual, the other two genotypes with contrasting salt tolerance. We propose oxidative stress characters, particularly foliar MDA and root O 2 − content, as potential indicators of salt tolerance, since they allow a simple, rapid, and cost-effective identification of salt-tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes.
R.g. Ramírez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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In situ Digestibility of Neutral Detergent Fiber of Introduced Cenchrus ciliaris and Six Native Mexican Grasses Consumed by Small Ruminants
Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2007Co-Authors: R.g. RamírezAbstract:Abstract Ramirez, R.G. 2007. In situ digestibility of neutral detergent fiber of introduced Cenchrus ciliaris and six native Mexican grasses consumed by small ruminants. J. Appl. Anim. Res, 31: 53–57. Native grasses from northeastern Mexico such as Aristida longiseta (Steud), Bouteloua gracilis (Thurb), Cenchrus incertus (M.A. Curtis), Hilaria berlangeri (Steud, Nash), Panicum hallii (Varsey) and Setaria macrostachya (H.B.K.) and introduced Cenchrus ciliaris (L), a cultivated grass, that are consumed by range small ruminants were evaluated to estimate seasonally, their neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content and the rate and extent of NDF digestion. Panicum hallii was lower (72, 34, 26%, respectively) in NDF, cellulose and hemicellulose content and A. longiseta was higher (87, 37, 37%). Cenchrus incertus (42%, annual mean) was higher in EDNDF and A. longiseta (25%) was lower. With exception of C. incertus, all native grasses had lower EDNDF than C. ciliaris (40%). Because of their low NDF digestion most nat...
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Nutrient Content and in situ Disappearance in Genotypes of Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.)
Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2006Co-Authors: R. Morales-rodríguez, R.g. Ramírez, G. J. García-dessommes, Humberto González-rodríguezAbstract:Abstract Morales-Rodriguez, R., Ramirez, R. G., Garcia-Dessommes, G. J. and Gonzalez-Rodriguez, H. 2006. Nutrient content and in situ disappearance of genotypes of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 29: 17–22. The aim of the study was to evaluate and to compare the dry matter production (DMP), chemical composition and in situ disappearance of dry matter (ISDDM), crude protein (ISDCP) and cell wall (ISDNDF) of 78 genotypes of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) recently introduced to Mexico. In addition, mineral content and potential intake of minerals by cattle consuming these genotypes was determined. Grasses were collected at the end of the autumn. The DMP (1–6 ton ha1), crude protein (6–9%), ash (11–18%), cell wall (67–79%), cellulose (38–44%), hemicellulose (20–31%), lignin (4–9%), insoluble ash (2–6%), ISDDM (50–62%), ISDCP (53–74%) and ISDNDF (46–62%) were significantly different among genotypes. With exception of one genotype all had sufficient protein to fulfill grazing growin...
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seasonal variation of in situ digestibility of dry matter crude protein and cell wall of total plant leaves and stems of nueces buffelgrass Cenchrus ciliaris l
Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2001Co-Authors: R.g. Ramírez, R Foroughbackhch, L Hauad, J Albaavila, C G Garciacastillo, M EspinosavazquezAbstract:Abstract Ramirez, R.G., Foroughbackhch, R., Hauad, L., Alba-Avila, J., Garcia-Castillo, C.G. and Espinosa-Vazquez, M. 2001. Seasonal variation of in situ digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and cell wall of total plant leaves and stems of Nueces buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 20: 73–82. The aim of this study was to estimate the nutritional content, the rate of disappearance of nutrients contained in total plant (TP), leaves (L) and steins (S) of Nueces buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). Plants were hand-harvested in a two-ha pasture at Marin, N.L., County, Mexico, during autumn (1998), winter, spring and summer (1999). The nylon bag technique was used to measure effective degradability of dry matter (EDDM), crude protein (EDCP) and cell wall (EDCW), using rumen fistulated sheep. Nutrient content of TP, L and S forage was higher (P<0.001) in summer than in other seasons. Moreover, in general, DM, CP and CW in Nueces buffelgrass were digested to greater extent during summer th...
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seasonal dynamics of dry matter crude protein and cell wall digestion in total plant leaves and stems of common buffelgrass Cenchrus ciliaris
Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2001Co-Authors: R.g. Ramírez, R Foroughbackhch, L Hauad, J Albaavila, C G Garciacastillo, M EspinosavazquezAbstract:Abstract Ramirez, R.G., Foroughbackhch, R., Hauad, L., Alba-Avila, J., Garcia-Castillo, C.G. and Espinosa-Vazquez, M. 2001. Seasonal dynamics of dry matter, crude protein and cell wall digestion in total plant, leaves and stems of common buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris). J. Appl. Anim. Res., 19: 209–218. This study was conducted to estimate and compare, seasonally, the nutrient content and the rate and extent of digestion of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and cell wall (CW) of total plant (TP), leaves (L) and stems (S) of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L). Plants were sampled in a four-ha pasture at Marin, N.L. County, Mexico, during fall of 1998, winter, spring and summer of 1999. The in situ technique was used to estimate effective degradability of DM (EDDM), crude protein (EDCP) and cell wall (EDCW), using rumen fistulated sheep. Crude protein content in forage was significantly higher in summer than in other seasons; however, cell wall and its derivatives (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) were...
K. Grunberg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Relationship between seed yield and its component characters in Cenchrus spp.
Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 2012Co-Authors: S. Griffa, M. Quiroga, A. Ribotta, E. López Colomba, E. Carloni, E. Tommasino, C. Luna, K. GrunbergAbstract:Cenchrus setigerus, C. sp., eleven obligate apomictic cultivars and a sexual line of Cenchrus ciliaris L. were studied to determine the relationship between seed production and its component characters, through principal component analysis, path correlation analysis and analysis of variance. A completely randomized field design was used. Ten vegetative and reproductive morphological characters were measured. Seed production was influenced directly by panicle weight and indirectly by panicle length, 1000 seed weight, length and width of flag leaf lamina and length of flag leaf sheath. Panicle weight showed high heritability and variability among genotypes. Hence, panicle weight can be considered a selection criterion to obtain increased seed production in Cenchrus. The cultivar Lucero INTA PEMAN exhibited the highest panicle weight and, therefore, greatest seed production, which makes it suitable for selection as parental cultivar to obtain new germplasm in Cenchrus with high seed yield.
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Obtaining new germplasm in Cenchrus ciliaris L. through induced-mutation and in vitro selection Obtención de nuevo germoplasma en Cenchrus ciliaris L. a través de mutaciones inducidas y selección in vitro
2011Co-Authors: López Colomba E, S. Griffa, A. Ribotta, E. Carloni, E. Tommasino, C. Luna, A Prina, K. GrunbergAbstract:Cenchrus ciliaris L., a forage grass of wide distribution in the north-west of Argentina, is a tetraploid (4x = 36) and obligate apomictic species. One way of obtaining novel germplasm is by in- duced mutations. In this work, physical and chemical mutations are combined with in vitro selection procedures seeking for new germ- plasm, with emphasis on salinity and drought tolerance. Mature seeds of Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv Biloela were subjected to treatments with X rays (400 Gy) and ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) water solution (5.5 mM for 24 h). To perform in vitro selection, after 7 days of EMS or X rays treatments, germinated seeds were transferred to tubes containing Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with NaCl or mannitol to simulate salinity and drought conditions, respectively. Fifty-four selected plants were isolated which tolerated 200 mM NaCl and 100 mM mannitol. Both mutagenic agents ex- hibited similar percentages of induced genetic variation measured through RAPD polymorphisms. This work demonstrated that ge - netic variability can be generated in Cenchrus ciliaris L. using muta- genic agents and in vitro selection.
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Oxidative damage and antioxidant defenses as potential indicators of salt-tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes.
Flora - Morphology Distribution Functional Ecology of Plants, 2010Co-Authors: Sofia Lanza Castelli, S. Griffa, A. Ribotta, K. Grunberg, Nacira Muñoz, Eliana López Colomba, E. Biderbost, C. LunaAbstract:Abstract Oxidative stress was used as a tool for a differential characterization of salt-tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes, as part of a genetic improvement program. Four genotypes of Cenchrus ciliaris L. were subjected to gradual salinity stress. After 17 days of 300 mM NaCl treatment, the level of damage in morphological traits was lower in two genotypes, Americana and Biloela (named the salt-tolerant genotypes), than in Texas and Sexual (named the less salt-tolerant genotypes). Oxidative stress characters were evaluated at early time points of salt treatment. Thus, at 48 h, salt tolerance in Americana was correlated with a lower increase in total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity but a higher increase in total catalase (CAT) activity than in the less tolerant Texas. Salt tolerance was accompanied by a decrease in oxidative damage, evaluated as foliar malondialdehyde (MDA) and O 2 − content in roots, in salt-tolerant Americana, as compared with the less salt tolerant, Texas. Moreover, in the more salt-tolerant Americana, the decrease in O 2 − in roots was associated with an enhanced total SOD activity. To validate oxidative damage characters they were measured in Biloela and Sexual, the other two genotypes with contrasting salt tolerance. We propose oxidative stress characters, particularly foliar MDA and root O 2 − content, as potential indicators of salt tolerance, since they allow a simple, rapid, and cost-effective identification of salt-tolerant Cenchrus ciliaris L. genotypes.