Genus Solanum Research Articles

Comparative study of the bioactive and chemical properties of three different Solanum spp. from Ghana

The family Solanaceae represent one of the most economically, nutritionally and medicinally important families of angiosperms. The genus Solanum is a hyper-diverse taxon of this family. There are about 2300 species of Solanum in the world that are mainly distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical areas, with a small number in the temperate areas. Solanum torvum has been extensively explored for its chemical constituents. To determine and compare the phytoconstituents of the fruits/berries of three different species of Solanum (torvum, erianthum, and macrocarpon) at different maturity stages. Fruits of Solanum (torvum, erianthum, and macrocarpon) were harvested at different maturity stages from local farms and around households in the Volta region and kept in sterile sample bags. Phytochemical and mineral analysis of the fruits was carried out according to the method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), to determine the mineral composition of the fruits. Total phenolic content was determined by the Folin Ciocalteau method, Flavonoids content was determined by the Aluminum Chloride method. Antioxidant activity was determined by three assays; DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS. The elemental mineral analysis was done using the flame photometer according to methods by AOAC. The present study revealed that the levels of antioxidants, total phenolics, and flavonoids contents were significantly affected by both the physiological maturity stage and extraction solvents. Total phenolic content ranged between 16.97±0.03 - 40.62±0.00 µL GAE/10 µL. Flavonoids contents ranged from 52.33±0.36 - 434.00±0.31 µL CE/10 µL. Antioxidants activity values ranged between 37.79±036 - 878.34±4.36, 16.66±7.40 - 47.49±15.27 and 0.075±0.00-0.257±0.00 for DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays respectively. Elemental mineral values recorded ranged between 4.87±0.03 - 11.55±0.05 mg/kg for Fe, 23.23±0.04 - 32.46±0.04 mg/kg for Mg and 34.317±0.03 - 15.3309±0.001 mg/kg for Na. This study revealed that the levels of antioxidants, total phenolics and flavonoids are significantly affected by both the physiological maturity stage and extraction solvents. It was clear that all methanolic extract showed significant variations with high values in antioxidants which included the DPPH scavenging activity, the ABTS• + scavenging activity, the Ferric reduction power assay, the total phenolics, and the flavonoid content.

Sources of resistance in wild Solanum germplasm (section Lycopersicon) to parietaria mottle virus, an emerging virus in the Mediterranean basin

AbstractParietaria mottle virus (PMoV) is considered an emerging virus in many countries of the Mediterranean basin. Outbreaks of tomato necrotic disease caused by the tomato strain PMoV‐T have been recorded in Italy, France, Spain, and Greece. No resistant or tolerant tomato cultivars are available and no cases of resistance have been reported in the section Lycopersicon of the Solanum genus so far. Therefore, wild relatives of tomato were evaluated to identify potential sources of resistance to PMoV infection. In all, 16 germplasm accessions from six wild Solanum spp. of the section Lycopersicon, along with susceptible near‐isogenic tomato lines (Monalbo, Momor, and Mospomorist), were evaluated for resistance against two different PMoV‐T strains, TI1 (from Italy) and FR1 (from France), under greenhouse conditions using mechanical inoculations. Local and systemic virus infections were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 15 and 30 days after mechanical inoculation and confirmed by dot‐blot hybridization of viral RNA with a PMoV‐specific digoxigenin‐labelled riboprobe. No local or systemic symptoms were observed in three accessions of S. peruvianum and one accession of S. corneliomuelleri. Moreover, the virus was never detected in the inoculated and upper noninoculated leaves of these accessions, either with ELISA or the specific riboprobe. The accession of S. lycopersicum var. cerasiformae was resistant only to the TI1 strain. This is the first description of sources of extreme resistance to PMoV in the section Lycopersicon of the Solanum genus.

Chemical constituents from the fruits of Solanum incanum L

Phytochemical investigation of the fruits of Solanum incanum L. resulted in the isolation of nine compounds, including three steroidal glycoalkaloids (1-3), two neolignans (4–5), two simple phenolics (6–7), one monoterpene glycoside (8), and one coumarin glucoside (9). The structure elucidation of isolated compounds was determined based on NMR and mass spectral data. Compounds 4 and 9 were isolated for the first time from the genus Solanum and their chemotaxonomic significance was discussed.

Natural and Synthetic Derivatives of the Steroidal Glycoalkaloids of Solanum Genus and Biological Activity

Steroidal alkaloids are secondary metabolites mainly isolated from species of Solanaceae and Liliaceae families that occurs mostly as glycoalkaloids. α-chaconine, α-solanine, solamargine and solasonine are among the steroidal glycoalkaloids commonly isolated from Solanum species. A number of investigations have demonstrated that steroidal glycoalkaloids exhibit a variety of biological and pharmacological activities such as antitumor, teratogenic, antifungal, antiviral, among others. However, these are toxic to many organisms and are generally considered to be defensive allelochemicals. To date, over 200 alkaloids have been isolated from many Solanum species, all of these possess the C27 cholestane skeleton and have been divided into five structural types; solanidine, spirosolanes, solacongestidine, solanocapsine, and jurbidine. In this regard, the steroidal C27 solasodine type alkaloids are considered as significant target of synthetic derivatives and have been investigated for more than 10 years in order to obtain new physiologically active steroids. It is important to state that the wide range of biological activities and the low amount available from natural sources, make relevant to obtained these metabolites by synthetic pathway.

Anatomical and Biochemical Studies of Solanum melongena and Solanum nigrum

Anatomical, mineral and nutritional studies were carried out on various parts of Solanum nigrum and Solanum melongena using standard techniques. Analysis of variance was employed for data analysis. Anatomical studies showed that the two species have similar features in the transverse sections of their leaves and stem but have dissimilar features in the transverse sections of their roots. The mineral result revealed varying quantities of the minerals in the various parts of the two species. The highest mineral composition in S. melongena was selenium (1030.0± 10.0) which was found in the root, while potassium (2.75±1.59) which was found in the stem was the least. The highest mineral composition in S. nigrum was calcium (873.33±16.67) which was found in the leaves, while potassium was the least (2.26± 0.55) found in the root. Vitamin studied showed varying quantities of the vitamins in the various parts of the two species. The highest vitamin was vitamin A in the root of both species when compared to the other parts. The implication is that the two species are closely related and this justified their placement in the same genus Solanum while the slight difference between them supports their separation into different species. The result also indicated that the various part of the two species contained adequate amount of vitamins and minerals for human consumption.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of an invasive plant Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae)

Solanum rostratum is native to Neotropics and southwestern United States and considered as an invasive plant in Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. However, information on the chloroplast (cp) genome of this species is limited. In this study, we present the complete chloroplast genome sequence of S. rostratum obtained by high-throughput nextgeneration sequencing technology. The whole cp genome was 155,559 bp long and comprised 130 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The S. rostratum cp genome had a GC content of 37.76%. Based on the concatenated coding sequences of cp PCGs, phylogenetic analysis showed that Phylogenetic tree revealed that S. rostratum and S. elaeagnifolium are closely related to each other within the genus Solanum.

Pathways to defense metabolites and evading fruit bitterness in genus Solanum evolved through 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases

The genus Solanum comprises three food crops (potato, tomato, and eggplant), which are consumed on daily basis worldwide and also producers of notorious anti-nutritional steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs). Hydroxylated SGAs (i.e. leptinines) serve as precursors for leptines that act as defenses against Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say), an important pest of potato worldwide. However, SGA hydroxylating enzymes remain unknown. Here, we discover that 2-OXOGLUTARATE-DEPENDENT-DIOXYGENASE (2-ODD) enzymes catalyze SGA-hydroxylation across various Solanum species. In contrast to cultivated potato, Solanum chacoense, a widespread wild potato species, has evolved a 2-ODD enzyme leading to the formation of leptinines. Furthermore, we find a related 2-ODD in tomato that catalyzes the hydroxylation of the bitter α-tomatine to hydroxytomatine, the first committed step in the chemical shift towards downstream ripening-associated non-bitter SGAs (e.g. esculeoside A). This 2-ODD enzyme prevents bitterness in ripe tomato fruit consumed today which otherwise would remain unpleasant in taste and more toxic.

Genetic Diversity of Solanum pinnatisectum Dun. and Solanum chacoense Bitt. by Resistance to Potato Virus Y and Results of DNA Analysis

The potato Solanum tuberosum L. has the greatest diversity of cultivated and wild relatives, whose genetic nature has been studied insufficiently. The aim of the present study was to examine the resistance to PVY in S. chacoense Bitt. and S. pinnatisectum Dun. and to search for DNA markers linked to resistance genes. For the first time, representative populations of two diploid tuber-bearing Solanum species were evaluated by the resistance to PVY and the presence of DNA markers linked to the Ry (extreme resistance) or Ny (hypersensitivity) genes localized on the long arm of chromosome 9. Nine accessions of S. chacoense and six accessions of S. pinnatisectum represented by 168 and 170 genotypes, respectively, from the VIR collection were assessed by resistance to artificial infection with PVY. The differences in segregation of two wild potato species into phenotypic classes with response to PVY infection have been established. The diversity of visible reactions of S. chacoense plants after PVY infection differs from the uniform type of symptoms observed in S. pinnatisectum. DNA analysis was performed in 170 S. chacoense genotypes and 44 S. pinnatisectum genotypes using the Ry186, S1d11, and CT220 markers linked to genes determining viral resistance in potato varieties, breeding clones, or species of the genus Solanum L. Most genotypes of S. chacoense and S. pinnatisectum have amplified CT220 marker linked to the Nxphu gene and the Sw-5 gene in the IvP35 line of the species S. phureja Juz. et Buk. and tomato, respectively. The STS Ry186 marker linked to the Rychc gene in Japanese varieties created on the basis of S. chacoense was identified in a small number of S. chacoense genotypes; however, no association between the DNA marker and resistance phenotype was detected. The CAPS S1d11/AcsI marker, which distinguishes between the PVY resistant and susceptible genotypes of both wild potato species, was developed. The plants of two wild-growing tuber-bearing species of Solanum L. were first examined for the presence of the GBSS gene-specific PCR marker (the gene encoding granules-bound starch synthase). A significant part of the genotypes (15% in S. pinnatisectum and 25% in S. chacoense) did not reveal the genetic marker regulating amylose biosynthesis in the forming starch granules. No significant differences in the ability to form tubers depending on the genotypes with or without GBSS marker, indicating the possible presence of an alternative allelic variant of the GBSSI gene in S. chacoense and S. pinnatisectum species, were detected.

Chemical constituents isolated from the whole plant of Solanum procumbens

Solanum procumbens L. is a medicinal plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. In Vietnam, it is known as "Ca gai leo", and it cultivated in some tropical countries in China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. From the stem of the ethyl acetate extract of Solanum procumbens, we had isolated one anthraquinone (1), four polyphenols (2-5), and one indole (6). By spectroscopic methods as well as comparing with data in the literature, their chemical structures were elucidated as ziganein (1), benzoic acid (2), salicylic acid (3), 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4), vanillic acid (5), and indole-3-carbaldehyde (6). These compounds were isolated for the first time from the genus Solanum.

Two new 23S,26R-hydroxylated spirostanoid saponins from the fruits of Solanum indicum var. recurvatum

Solanum indicum var. recurvatum, distributed mainly in Hekou, Simao and Menghai areas of Yunnan province, China, is characterized by stellate pubescent leaves with irregular lengths and oblong, short, and downwardly curved anthers. The original species, S. indicum, has been used as an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing agent, an analgesic, and for the treatment of rhinitis, cough, and breast cancer in Chinese folk medicine. The variety was chemically studied for the first time, leading to the isolation of two new rare 23S,26R-hydroxylated spirostanoid saponins, together with five known steroidal components, two of which the rare natural ketosteroids 6-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and rostadienedione have been isolated from the genus Solanum for the first time. Elucidation of the structures was accomplished by extensive 1D and 2D NMR, UV, and HRESIMS spectroscopic methods.

Image-based analysis of quantitative morphological characteristics of wild potato tubers using the desktop application SeedСounter

The development of quantitative digital phenotyping methods for evaluation of wild potato (section Petota Dumort., genus Solanum L.) tuberization is required for annotation of genebank collections and selection of the suitable donor material for potato breeding. There are no available methods specifically designed for the quantitative analysis of wild potato tuber morphology. The current study is devoted to evaluation of wild potato tubers’ morphological characteristics using a digital image processing technique. For this purpose, the mobile application SeedSounter developed previously for grain analysis was specifically adapted for tuber phenotyping. The application estimates the number and shape of objects scattered on a standard sheet of white paper (i. e. A3 or A4). Twelve accessions from the VIR genebank collection belonging to nine Petota species were grown in pots protected with garden fabric during the growing season of cultivated potato (Novosibirsk region). Tubers were collected form plants of nine genotypes. Three genotypes did not produce tubers. The weight of tubers collected from each plant was measured. The tuber yield from each plant was analyzed using SeedCounter (http://wheatdb.org/seedcounter). The number of tubers per plant was counted; the following characteristics were extracted from the images of individual tubers: length, width, projected area, length to width ratio, сircularity, roundness, rugosity and solidity. One-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of genotype on all measured characteristics. A pairwise comparison of nine Petota accessions using all measured parameters revealed statistically significant differences between 86 % of pairs. The overall tuber yield volume for each plant was calculated as a sum of volumes of individual tubers; tuber volume was calculated from its length to width ratio and projected area. A strong correlation between the evaluated tuber yield volume and yield weight was shown. We propose tuber yield volume as a characteristic for a general evaluation of tuberization for wild potato, implementing the four-step scale from 0 to 3. According to this characteristic, the twelve wild potato accessions studied could be divided into four groups with different tuberization abilities. The evaluated tuberization ability is partially in accordance with previously obtained VIR data. The results presented demonstrate the possibility to use SeedCounter for wild potato collections phenotyping.

Integrated pest management in the academic small greenhouse setting: A case study using Solanum spp. (Solanaceae).

PremiseBotanical faculty and staff at academic institutions are often tasked with establishing and/or caring for plant collections held in small greenhouse facilities. Once plants are in place, an especially acute challenge is managing plant pest/pathogen populations. Integrated pest management (IPM) approaches are an excellent option, but few examples exist in the literature of successful programs that have been developed in academic small greenhouse settings.Methods and ResultsOver several years, we developed an IPM program for two small research greenhouses on the campus of a primarily undergraduate institution where hundreds of plants have been grown for studies in the genus Solanum. We here present a synopsis of the cultural, mechanical, physical, and biological controls used as part of our successful IPM strategy—including details on the efficacy of multiple predatory insects—with the hope of providing a model for sustainable pest management in the higher education environment.Conclusions IPM can be an effective strategy for maintaining healthy plant populations in small research greenhouses, but it requires a consistent investment of time and funding. A well‐cared‐for plant collection might help support numerous positive outcomes, including advances in faculty scholarship and opportunities for student learning and/or training.

Anticariogenic properties of Solanum ferox L. ethanol extract

Solanum ferox L. is a plant species which belongs to the Solanaceae family and the genus Solanum. The Solanum genus was found to exhibit anticariogenic activity and was traditionally used to treat oral diseases. However there are no scientific studies done specifically for Solanum ferox L. Hence the aim of the study is to determine the anticariogenic properties of flesh and leaf of ethanolic extract of Solanum ferox L. Alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins were detected in the leaf ethanolic extract via preliminary phytochemical screening.  The presence of these phytochemicals may contribute to the anticariogenic activity. Treatment with different concentrations of flesh and leaf of ethanolic extract were used against Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus via the method of agar well diffusion to indicate zones of inhibition. The antibiofilm activity of the flesh and leaf ethanolic extracts was tested. The flesh and leaf ethanolic extracts possess significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent on antimicrobial activity and positive antibiofilm activity against respective pathogens. Flesh ethanolic extract has stronger anticariogenic activity compared to leaf ethanolic extract against Staphylococcus aureus. Streptococcus pyogenes exhibited higher susceptibility as compared to Staphylococcus aureus.  In conclusion, it has been shown that the ethanolic extract of Solanum ferox L. exhibit anticariogenic properties against Streptococus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.

ACTIVIDAD ANTIBACTERIANA DE EXTRACTOS ALCOHÓLICOS DE HOJAS DE SOLANUM DOLICHOSEPALUM (BITTER)

The plants belonging to the genus Solanum are known for their broad spectrum of biological activity. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of S. dolichosepalum against bacterial strains S. aureus, Salmonella spp, P. aeruginosa, and A. hydrophila. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts were obtained by solid-liquid extraction in soxhlet equipment, with subsequent concentration by rotary evaporation. To determine the antibacterial activity, the disc diffusion method was used, using Mueller Hinton agar, Chloramphenicol (30 mg sensitives) as a positive control, and extraction solvents as negative controls. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts of S. dolichosepalum showed a slight inhibitory effect against S. aureus, Salmonella spp, A. hydrophila, and P. aeruginosa, but it was not enough to be considered significant showing resistance to them. The two types of extracts used, ethanolic was the most active against S. aureus, Salmonella spp, A. hydrophila, and methanolic against P. aeruginosa.

Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy of Some Species of Genus Solanum (Solanaceae) With Special Referance to the Importance of Trichomes

The trichomes are taxonomically very important because of their use in plant classification with other morphological characters. This study provides information about trichomes of six species add name of species here of genus Solanum. This study will also helpful to produce more information to develop modern nomenclature for trichomes. The plant material was taken from Sindh University Herbarium as well as new plant substance was gathered from the field for the study. During the trichomal analysis the plant components were observed under stereo zoom microscope. Provisional and long-term slides were produced. For the scanning electron microscopic observation, the plant material was treated with ethanol alcohol for 20 minutes, ca 1mm2 piece of specimens were fitted on the stubs made of metal with double-sided cellophane tape and also covered with C-30-50 nm gold by Jeol JFC- 1500 Ion sputter machine. After coating samples were observed as well as pictures were captured on different magnifications by enhancing voltage between 5-15 KV by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Jeol JSM-T200 & Jeol JSM-T6380 at Biological Research Centre and Central Research Laboratory Karachi, University of Karachi.

Floristic Study in Lalpur Upazila of Natore District, Bangladesh: Identification, Distribution and Economic Potential

Floristic study in Lalpur Upazila of Natore district has identified 216 species distributed in 173 genera and 72 families, of which Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons) is represented by 188 species under 147 genera and 60 families, while Liliopsida (Monocotyledons) is constituted by 28 species under 26 genera and 12 families. In Magnoliopsida, Asteraceae is the largest family represented by 16 species, whereas in Liliopsida, Poaceae is the largest family consisting of 8 species. The genus Solanum is the largest in Magnoliopsida, whereas Cyperus is the largest genus in Liliopsida. Habit analysis reveals that herbs are represented by 118 species (55%), shrubs by 32 species (15%), trees by 50 species (23%) and climbers by 16 species (7%). Potential of the angiospermic flora has been recognized by the occurrence of 57 medicinal plant species which are used over 30 diseases for the primary health care of the local people of Lalpur Upazila. Though the study area is floristically rich, some plant species are under threats. The rare and medicinally as well as economically important species to this area need to be conserved through both in-situ and ex-situ approaches for sustainable development.
 Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 45(1): 71-91, June 2019

A revision of the Morelloid Clade of Solanum L. (Solanaceae) in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The Morelloid Clade, also known as the black nightshades or “Maurella” (Morella), is one of the 10 major clades within the mega-diverse genus Solanum L. The clade is most species rich in the central to southern Andes, but species occur around the tropics and subtropics, some extending well into the temperate zone. Plants of the group are herbaceous or short-lived perennials, with small white or purplish white flowers, and small juicy berries. Due to the complex morphological variation and weedy nature of these plants, coupled with the large number of published synonyms (especially for European taxa), our understanding of species limits and diversity in the Morelloid Clade has lagged behind that of other major groups in Solanum. Here we provide the second in a three-part series of revisions of the morelloid solanums treating the species occurring in North and Central America and the Caribbean (for the Old World see “PhytoKeys 106”, the third part will treat species of South America). Synonymy, morphological descriptions, distribution maps, and common names and uses are provided for all 18 species occurring in this region. We treat 10 of these species as native, and eight as putatively naturalised, introduced and/or invasive in the region. We provide complete descriptions with nomenclatural details, including lecto- and neotypifications, for all species. Keys to all species occurring in the whole region and for each area within it (i.e., North America, Central America and Mexico, and the islands of the Caribbean), illustrations to aid identification both in herbaria and in the field, and distribution maps are provided. Preliminary conservation assessments are provided for all species. Details of all specimens examined are provided in three Supplementary materials sections.

The Solanum chacoense Fertilization-Related Kinase 3 (ScFRK3) is involved in male and female gametophyte development

BackgroundThe Fertilization-related kinases (FRK) form a class that belongs to the MEKK subfamily of plant MAPKKKs. It was recently shown that FRK class kinases expanded during angiosperm evolution, reaching their maximum numbers in the lineage leading to solanaceous species and culminating in the Solanum genus where they account for more than 40% of the total MEKKs. The first members studied, ScFRK1 and ScFRK2 were shown to play a pivotal role in gametophyte development in the wild potato species Solanum chacoense.ResultsScFRK3 is also involved in gametophyte development. ScFRK3 is expressed in developing pollen and young ovules, reaching its highest level immediately after meiosis and during the mitosis steps in both gametophytes. Hence, three independent lines of ScFRK3 RNAi mutant plants showed decreased number of seeds per fruit. We also observed an important number of degenerated embryo sac in mature ovary. Analysis of ovule development showed that most embryo sac did not enter mitosis I in ScFRK3 RNAi mutant plants. Severe lethality was also observed during male gametophyte development, pollen being arrested before mitosis I, as observed in the female gametophyte. Obvious defects in vegetative organs were not observed, emphasizing the reproductive roles of the FRK class kinases. To isolate MAP kinases acting downstream of ScFRK3, a de novo S. chacoense transcriptome from male and female reproductive organs was assembled. Of the five ScMKKs and 16 ScMPKs retrieved, only the ScMKK3 interacted with ScFRK3, while only the ScMPK13 interacted with ScMKK3, leading to an apparent single three-tiered canonical MAP kinase cascade combination involving ScFRK3-ScMKK3-ScMPK13.ConclusionsThe ScFRK3 MAPKKK is involved in a signaling cascade that regulates both male and female gamete development, and most probably act upstream of ScMKK3 and ScMPK13.

Potato mosaic viruses which infect plants of tuber-bearing Solanum spp. growing in the VIR field gene bank

Potato crop is particularly affected by virus diseases, and potato virus Y (PVY) currently considered the most important pathogen distributed worldwide as a diversity of strains. Wild and cultivated tuber-bearing species of the genus Solanum L., stored in the VIR collection, are used as the initial material in creation domestic potato varieties (Solanum tuberosum L.) resistant to virus diseases. The preservation and rational utilization of the potato collection is based on regular phytosanitary monitoring, including quarantine objects, foremost PSTVd (potato spindle tuber viroid). The aim of the work is to examine plants of tuber-bearing Solanum species in the field gene bank of VIR for the presence of PSTVd and PVX (potato virus X), PVS (potato virus S), PVM (potato virus M) and PVY, which are the most common viruses on potatoes in the North-West District of Russia. We examined clonal plants of 137 genotypes representing 31 species of the section Petota of the genus Solanum L. A diagnostic was carried out using ELISA, RT-PCR and indicator plants. No PSTVd was found in the studied plants, but a plural infestation by mosaic viruses was detected, more than half of the tested clones are infected with two or more viruses. In the studied samples, only 17 genotypes (12 %) are not infected by PVX, PVS, PVM and PVY according to the ELISA test. There are statistically significant differences in the virus infestation of Solanum species with different origins, according to Pearson’s chi-squared test. Among the studied genotypes of wild relatives of potatoes, the proportion of those affected by PVY was significantly higher in the South American than in the North American species (χ2 = 4.56, p = 0.03); the proportion of genotypes affected by PVХ was significantly higher in the North American species (χ2 = 8.81, p = 0.003), the critical value was χ2 = 3.841. PVY strains were identified by multiplex RT-PCR in 37 genotypes of Solanum spp. We found that 27 genotypes are infected by a common PVYO strain, two genotypes are infected by PVYNW (A) and PVYNW (B) strains, respectively, seven genotypes are infected by a mixture of PVYO +PVYNW (A) strains, and one is infected by a mixture of PVYO +PVYNTN-NW (SYRI)+SYRIII strains. The recombinant strains of PVY are detected in the North-West District of Russia for the first time. Coherency of the results of PVY strains detection by various (immunological, molecular and biological) methods is discussed.

Evaluation of Genetic Diversity of Seven Species of Solanum in Nigeria Using SDS-PAGE

Seed protein profile of 12 accessions belonging to 7 species of the genus Solanum of the family solanaceae were investigated through poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The accessions were selected based on their overlapping morphological associations observed on the field. Occurrence of two protein bands of molecular weights 100 kda and 20 kda in all accession showed interspecific relationships and could be used as generic bands among the genus Solanum. All morphologically similar accessions manifested similarities in their protein bands except S. melongena. Dendrogram based on upgma also revealed the generic status and intraspecific relationships of the accession of S. aethiopicum and S. macrocarpon.