Genebanks

July 7, 2011July 4, 2011

An online home for sweet potato information

There’s a new online Sweetpotato Knowledge Portal. Lots of stuff on germaplasm conservation, breeding, seed systems, value addition etc. It really does look quite interesting, but, frustratingly, I have no idea who’s behind it. Institutionally, that is. There’s not a logo in sight anywhere. Seems to be driven by sweetpotato researchers themselves, many, but by no means all, at CIP. I shall be watching it closely, via its RSS feed.

July 5, 2011July 2, 2011

Variation in seed dormancy within populations

I asked Robin Probert at the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew to comment on the recent paper “Variation in seed dormancy quantitative trait loci in Arabidopsis thaliana originating from one site.” Here’s the abstract:

A Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis was performed using two novel Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) populations, derived from the progeny between two Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes collected at the same site in Kyoto (Japan) crossed with the reference laboratory strain Landsberg erecta (Ler). We used these two RIL populations to determine the genetic basis of seed dormancy and flowering time, which are assumed to be the main traits controlling life history variation in Arabidopsis. The analysis revealed quantitative variation for seed dormancy that is associated with allelic variation at the seed dormancy QTL DOG1 (for Delay Of Germination 1) in one population and at DOG6 in both. These DOG QTL have been previously identified using mapping populations derived from accessions collected at different sites around the world. Genetic variation within a population may enhance its ability to respond accurately to variation within and between seasons. In contrast, variation for flowering time, which also segregated within each mapping population, is mainly governed by the same QTL.

And here’s what Robin had to say:

Sufficient genetic variation for seed dormancy in single populations, especially annuals, is not surprising and we found this many years ago when we were working on Ranunculus sceleratus. ((Probert, R.J., Dickie, J.B. and Hart, M.R. (1989) Analysis of the effect of cold stratification on the germination response to light and alternating temperatures in selected seed populations of Ranunculus sceleratus L. Journal of Experimental Botany, 40, 293-301)) In those days we didn’t have the molecular tools now available but is was very clear that individual genotypes selected from single populations had the ability to behave as winter or summer annuals. Nevertheless, there are countless examples in the literature that demonstrate that germination and dormancy are highly adapted to local climate. I guess what the recent papers reveal is that hidden within those striking patterns of adaptation is sufficient genetic variation to cope with climate variation. Whether this will be enough to cope with the scale and rapidity of climate change is another matter. Time will tell.

Indeed it will. While we wait, can anyone explain that “In contrast…” at the end of the abstract?

July 5, 2011July 5, 2011

Nibbles: Orissa genebank, Cornish bees, Andean Roots & Tubers, Ag at WCSJ

Not content with its seed mothers, or a national or international genebank, the state of Orissa in India wants its own genebank.
Bee biodiversity.
Andean root and tuber crops. And none of them a potato!
Some ag-related reporting from the World Conference of Science Journalists. It isn’t pretty.

July 4, 2011July 4, 2011

Nibbles: Seed mothers, Bees, Strawberry, Chilli collection, Talk on agrobiodiversity

Need seed? Ask a bihana-maa, at least if you are in Orissa.
Decline in UK honeybees reveals that crops not so dependent on them after all. Huh?
A new strawberry for aesthetically-minded home gardeners.
Wild Chilli group of Europe to visit Experimental Garden and Genebank of the Radboud University of Nijmegen. Send us a report?
A free talk about the importance of perpetuating food plant resources for the future on Thursday, July 14. Oh, it’s on Hawaii. Send us a report?

July 4, 2011June 30, 2011

Brainfood: Medic systematics, Fruit wine, Alfa paper, Marula diversity, Cardamon pollination, Protein, Ants, Peanuts, Truffles, Ethiopian barley, Citrus diversity, Biofuel trees, Honeybush, Czech garlic

Genetic similarity based on isoenzyme banding pattern among fifty species of Medicago representing eight sections (Fabaceae). People are still using isozymes? I find that oddly endearing.
Preparation and evaluation of antioxidant capacity of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) wine and its protective role against radiation induced DNA damage. In other news, you can make wine from jackfruit.
Pulping and papermaking properties of Tunisian Alfa stems (Stipa tenacissima)—Effects of refining process. Yep, a paper on paper.
Phenotypic variations in fruits and selection potential in Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea. There’s a lot of it.
Pollination studies in large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) of Sikkim Himalayan region of India. It needs a native bumblebee.
Effect of proteins from different sources on body composition. Hard to be sure, but probably no difference between animal and plant protein. If you’re trying to lose weight, that is.
Ants as biological control agents in agricultural cropping systems. More common than you think, but can’t be taken for granted.
Origin of triploid Arachis pintoi (Leguminosae) by autopolyploidy evidenced by FISH and meiotic behaviour. Maybe that was they key step on the road to the edible peanut.
The biochemistry and biological properties of the world’s most expensive underground edible mushroom: Truffles. Not just a pretty smell.
Ethnobotany, diverse food uses, claimed health benefits and implications on conservation of barley landraces in North Eastern Ethiopia highlands. Landraces “just” liked for culinary qualities are having a hard time.
Comparative analysis of genetic diversity in Citrus germplasm collection using AFLP, SSAP, SAMPL and SSR markers. Boys with toys.
Tree legumes as feedstock for sustainable biofuel production: Opportunities and challenges. Pongamia pinnata is the thing, apparently, but it’ll need research. NIMBY!
Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.): From local cottage industry to global markets — The catalytic and supporting role of research. South African bush tea a blueprint for the development of a neglected/underutilized species? Yeah, why not.
Diversity of S-alk(en)yl cysteine sulphoxide content within a collection of garlic (Allium sativum L.) and its association with the morphological and genetic background assessed by AFLP. Czech genebank follows up Brassica genetic diversity study with one on garlic. SACS is an important end-use trait, and varies among genetic groups.