Agricultural Biotechnology Research Research Articles

Characterization of genetic diversity in Eragrostis tef (zucc.) Trotter through microsatellite and morphological markers

Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter is Ethiopia's most significantly important grain crop; however, its productivity is quite low (1.7 tons per hectare) due to a variety of issues, including the poor yield potential of varieties produced thus far. To achieve future production improvements in tef, comprehensive study of the crop's genetic variability and variety, utilizing both genetic and morphological markers, necessary. The study was designed to assess the genetic diversity of 64 tef genotypes utilizing 10 Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) markers. This investigation took place at the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center in Holeta, Ethiopia. Field phenotypic diversity evaluation was conducted at two distinct locations: Debre Zeit and Worabe, applied a simple lattice design during 2020/21 season. Molecular analysis of variance demonstrated a substantial proportion of variation among individuals (46 %), followed closely variation among individuals (43 %), with the least variation observed within population (11 %). Concurrently, analysis of morphological data, encompassing twenty phenotypic characteristics, revealed significant variation (P ≤ 0.01) among almost all the tested genotypes for recorded parameters, as indicated by combined analysis of variance across sites. These findings underscore the high diversity among the studied genotypes, suggesting a considerable potential for crop improvement through direct selection and intra-specific hybridization strategies. From the perspectives of both conservation and utilization of tef genetic materials, there is a pressing need for more extensive and systematic molecular level research. Promoting field trials and genotype-by-environment interaction research is crucial. These efforts will enhance our understanding of tef genetic and contribute to its effective conservation and utilization.

Introducing of high rich lysine, arginine, and unsaturated fatty acids microalga as a food supplement.

Microalgae are powerful source for nutritionally valuable components as proteins, carbohydrates and especially unsaturated fatty acids. Microalgae may be employed in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, health industries, and biofuels. In this study for looking at high-level unsaturated fatty acids species, from 31 strains, by comparing growth curves, the best strain with a high growth rate and lipid content was selected by red Nile staining. It was determined by molecular identification that this strain belongs to the genus Chlorella sp. and is deposited into the Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran Culture collection with culture collection number ABRIICC 30,041. Biomass analysis after growth optimization by response surface methodology showed that the selected strain had a specific growth rate of 0.216 ± 0.008 d-1, biomass productivity of 142.58 ± 4.41mg/Ld, and lipid content of 13.9 ± 0.26% with a high level of unsaturated fatty acids of 53.15%. It also included 51.3 ± 0.53% protein with a very high quality essential amino acids of 40.36%, the most lysine (8.77%) and arginine (13.31%) has been reported until now, and 26.9 ± 0.23% carbohydrates in photoautotroph condition. By MTT assay, there is no effect of cytotoxicity. This research introduces a potent native strain comparable with commercial strains that can be a hopeful source for food supplements and valuable bioactive ingredients in functional foods.

PRECURSOR-INOCULUM INTERACTION FOR THE GROWTH PROMOTION OF COTTON UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

The present experiment was conducted during 2019-2021 at Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The yield of local BT cotton variety FH-142 was evaluated using different combinations of rhizobacteria (free living diazotroph and phosphate solubilizer) with auxin precursor L-tryptophan (L-TRP). The experiment was comprised of seven treatments under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicated thrice. The experiment was repeated for consecutive three years to find the effect of microbial inoculants with auxin precursor L-TRP and mean of three years was reported in the manuscript. The microbial inoculants were applied as seed coating. The bacterial inoculation showed promising results as compared to control. However, the consortium of PGPR and P-solubilizer with precursor had the significant effects on cotton yield during all three years of experiment. The consortium increased the yield parameters of cotton i.e., 1810 kg/ha in comparison with un-inoculated control i.e., 1672 kg/ha. Individual applications of PGPR and P-solubilizer also had significant effect on the yield compared to control. Hence, it was concluded that the interaction of bacterial consortium and precursor (precursor inoculum interaction) proved to be the best to improve the cotton yield.

Metabolomics and Chemoinformatics in Agricultural Biotechnology Research: Complementary Probes in Unravelling New Metabolites for Crop Improvement.

Simple SummaryThe world is facing an overarching threat to food security, particularly in developing nations. The issue is further exacerbated by the apparent impacts of biotic and abiotic stresses driving down crop yields and productivity. Conventional strategies to improve yields and sustain productivity have been employed, including plant breeding for favourable and resilient agronomic traits. However, the efficacy and success rates of these methods are declining, partly due to the rapid changes in climate variability and the emergence of new and resistant phytopathogens. Additionally, the process of creating new and improved transgenic varieties of crops is long and can be expensive. Thus, new and innovative technologies are required for crop improvement. This review explores recent advances in the science of metabolomics and chemoinformatics, which have presented an avenue for rapid and robust analysis; moreover, it explores the elucidation of the complex plant metabolome, providing the opportunity to decipher the reactionary mechanisms of plants to the surrounding environment through their metabolic activity. As such, specific metabolites can, thus, be selected as biomarkers for crop improvement based on their functional characteristics under varying environmental conditions (growth, development, and defence). This new knowledge can enhance breeding practices through rapid and robust metabolic engineering techniques for sustainable agriculture.The United Nations (UN) estimate that the global population will reach 10 billion people by 2050. These projections have placed the agroeconomic industry under immense pressure to meet the growing demand for food and maintain global food security. However, factors associated with climate variability and the emergence of virulent plant pathogens and pests pose a considerable threat to meeting these demands. Advanced crop improvement strategies are required to circumvent the deleterious effects of biotic and abiotic stress and improve yields. Metabolomics is an emerging field in the omics pipeline and systems biology concerned with the quantitative and qualitative analysis of metabolites from a biological specimen under specified conditions. In the past few decades, metabolomics techniques have been extensively used to decipher and describe the metabolic networks associated with plant growth and development and the response and adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. In recent years, metabolomics technologies, particularly plant metabolomics, have expanded to screening metabolic biomarkers for enhanced performance in yield and stress tolerance for metabolomics-assisted breeding. This review explores the recent advances in the application of metabolomics in agricultural biotechnology for biomarker discovery and the identification of new metabolites for crop improvement. We describe the basic plant metabolomics workflow, the essential analytical techniques, and the power of these combined analytical techniques with chemometrics and chemoinformatics tools. Furthermore, there are mentions of integrated omics systems for metabolomics-assisted breeding and of current applications.

Diversity of Quantitative and Qualitative Characters of Rice Grain from Riau Province, Indonesia

<p class="IsiAbstrak">Rice is grown in almost all regions in Indonesia, including Riau Province, as a staple food. Although rice is the most widely grown food crop in comparison to other crops, rice production from this region has not been able to meet the needs of the Riau population. To meet the needs of rice, the people of Riau still have to bring it from other regions. Riau Province has a large collection of diverse rice germplasm for food self-sufficiency. Several rice accessions from the area have been collected and conserved in the Genebank of the Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD), located at Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD). This study was intended to assess the diversity of rice from Riau Province based on the grain characteristics. A total of 25 rice accessions from Riau which were conserved in the IAARD-ICABIOGRAD Genebank were examined. Grain length, shape, color, and other grain-related characters were observed following the international standard descriptors for rice by IRRI and IBPGR. While the thousand-grain weight was measured using the standardized operational procedure from ISTA. The grain diversity was analyzed using the NTSYS-pc software version 2.2. The average of length, width, and thickness of the unhulled paddy was measured at 7.9, 3.0, and 1.9 mm, respectively. The weight of 1,000 grains ranged from 20.37 to 25.67 with an average of 23.02 g. Most of the accessions had a brown furrow or spot on straw background lemma-palea, with a straw apiculus a medium-sized sterile lemma, and were awnless. The majority of the rice grain was medium size, measuring 5.24 mm in length and 2.24 mm in width. White grain makes up the majority of the accessions. Accessions from Riau can be divided into five groups based on the seven characteristics of rice grains. Those groupings were unrelated to the district from which the accessions were obtained, illustrating the beyond boundaries of germplasm distribution and transfer of germplasm within this district.</p>

Development of Rapid Vigor Test Using Urine Sugar Analysis Paper for Soybean (Glycine max L.) Seeds

Seed vigor is an essential parameter of seed quality. It plays a critical value in the decision-making for the seeds to be used in agronomic and horticultural crops. The urinary sugar analysis paper (USAP) test determines seed vigor based on leakage concentration from the seed and corresponding color change of the USAP, which are obtained after soaking the seeds in water. This research was conducted from January 2021 to November 2021, intending to develop a rapid soybean vigor test using USAP, and it was composed of two experiments. Soybean seeds of the Biosoy1 variety were obtained from ICABIOGRAD (Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resource Research and Development). The seeds consisted of three different levels of seed lots (low, medium, and high viability with 35%, 64%, and 94% germination percentages, respectively). The first experiment was to determine moisture content and soaking period for the USAP seed vigor test. It was arranged in a completely randomized design with one factor as the combination of three seed lots, two levels of seed moisture content (10-12% and 13-14%), and four levels of the soaking period (0, 6, 8, and 10 hours). The second experiment was the optimization of the soaking period by seed number. It was arranged in a completely randomized design with one factor, which was combinations of three seed lots, three levels of seed numbers (50, 75, and 100 seeds), and the soaking period (four levels as 0, 6, 8, and 10 hours). The data were analyzed statistically by the Minitab package. The result showed that both combinations of 10-12% and 13-14% moisture content with the soaking period of 10 hours effectively differentiated the three seed lots into three vigor levels using USAP. Experiment 2 optimized the soaking period from 10 hours to 8 hours by using 100 seeds. The USAP color change was effectively significant to indicate seed lot vigor levels, mainly based on protein leakage concentration on USAP. The color changes from pale yellow-green for higher vigor seed lot to light greenish-blue for low vigor. The USAP was effective for the soybean vigor test for the seed lot with 10-14% moisture content by soaking 100 seeds into 50 ml of distilled water for 8 hours. The USAP is a promising rapid vigor test method but still needs to be developed further.

POTENTIAL OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI DERIVING FROM ASIATIC PENNYWORTH TO PRODUCE ANTIOXIDANTS

<p>Asiatic pennyworth is a medicinal plant that contains triterpenoids, saponin, flavonoids, and tannins which possess antioxidants. Endophytic fungi from the plant could produce a similar compound; therefore, antioxidants could be made in the laboratory if the fungi are isolated. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of endophytic fungi isolated from Asiatic pennyworth to produce antioxidants. The study used 34 endophytic fungal isolates from Asiatic pennyworth accessions of Malaysia (17 isolates) and Bengkulu, Indonesia (17 isolates) collected by the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development. The fungi were propagated in a potato dextrose broth medium, then mycelia mats and filtrates were separated and then freeze-dried. The antioxidant activities were first tested with 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) using thin layer chromatography (TLC), then UV-Vis spectrophotometry λ517 nm with five variations of concentration. Results showed all 34 fungal isolates have antioxidant activities based on a yellowish-white color change after applying 0.002% DPPH solution of the TLC method and IC50 value of the UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The highest antioxidant activity was shown by <em>Aspergillus austroafricanus </em>MB 1 (IC50 = 12.08 ppm) from Bengkulu accession and <em>A. oryzae </em>MM 13 (IC50 = 10.29 ppm) from Malaysia accession. <em>A. austroafricanus </em>MB 1 produced more antioxidant compounds (seven) than <em>A. oryzae </em>MM 13 (six). The antioxidant compounds produced by both endophytic fungi included in the group of flavonoids, fatty acids, and carboxylic acids. The research implies that <em>A. austroafricanus </em>MB 1 and <em>A. oryzae </em>MM 13 could be further developed as sources of antioxidants.</p>

Molecular characterization and n use efficiency of LeAlaAT ‘Mekongga’ transgenic rice lines

Genetic engineering is one of the strategies for developing nitrogen (N)-use-efficient rice (Oryza sativa) varieties. One gene that plays an indirect role in N metabolism is alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT). It can efficiently increase N content and crop yield. In a previous study, the tomato AlaAT gene (LeAlaAT) was successfully isolated and introduced into ‘Mekongga’ rice. The present research was conducted during 2018 and 2019 at the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD), Bogor, Indonesia. The objectives of the present study were to perform the molecular characterization of LeAlaAT ‘Mekongga’ rice lines on the basis of the hpt marker gene, the direct PCR of the LeAlaAT fragment, and the phenotypic evaluation of the selected LeAlaAT T1 ‘Mekongga’ rice lines in response to different N fertilizer rates (0 kg ha−1 [control] and 60, 90, and 120 kg ha−1). This research involved three activities, namely (1) Southern blot analysis, (2) direct PCR, and (3) N use efficiency (NUE) test of ‘Mekongga’ transgenic lines. Southern blot analysis revealed that in T0 transgenic lines, the copy number of the hpt marker gene varied from 1 to 3. Direct PCR confirmed the presence of the AlaAT fragment in the T1 generation of five ‘Mekongga’ transgenic lines. The five transgenic lines showed high panicle number, biomass weight, shoot dry weight, and total grain weight under 120 kg ha−1 nitrogen. The high agronomical NUE of transgenic lines under 120 kg ha−1 N implied that the transgenic rice lines have the potential for efficient N use at a certain minimum level of N (120 kg ha−1 of nitrogen) and should be further evaluated at high N levels.

Development of Transgenic Sugarcane Resistant to Stem Borer by Transforming cry1Ab-cry1Ac Fusion Gene through Agrobacterium tumefaciens Transformation Method

<p>Bulu Lawang (BL) is a sugarcane variety preferred by farmers in Indonesia due to its high yield, but this cultivar is susceptible to shoot and stem borer insect pests. Genetic engineering using cry1Ab and cry1Ac fusion gene is an effort to generate BL varieties resistant to the insect pests. This study aimed to 1) transform T-DNA containing cry1Ab-cry1Ac fusion gene into sugarcane genome by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens method, 2) obtain selection media composition of callus transformants, and 3) obtain transformation efficiency comparison of A. tumefaciens strains EHA105 and GV3101. The research was conducted at the Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Biology, the Laboratory of Molecular Biology, and the greenhouse of the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development, Bogor from March to August 2019. Research activities consisted of four parts namely 1) callus induction and Agrobacterium culture preparation containing pCambia5300-cry1Ab-cry1Ac ///// pCambia-5300_OaRbcS-prom-cTP-cry1Ab-cry1Ac plasmid, 2) callus incubation in cocultivation and resting media, 3) selection and differentiation of shoots on regeneration media, and 4) molecular analysis using PCR method. Results showed that the composition of media, both for selection and regeneration processes of putative plant transformants, was the key to the success of this experiment. A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 resulted in higher transformation efficiency (11.1%) compared to that of strain GV3101 (9.0%). Molecular analysis showed that cryIAb-cryIAc fusion gene was successfully inserted into the sugarcane genome suggesting that the transgenic plant containing cry1Ab-cry1Ac fusion gene was obtained. The putative transgenic plants need further assay through bioassay tests to verify its resistance phenotype to the insect pests.</p>

The Use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a Tool to Study Human Infectious Viruses.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems are a set of versatile gene-editing toolkit that perform diverse revolutionary functions in various fields of application such as agricultural practices, food industry, biotechnology, biomedicine, and clinical research. Specially, as a novel antiviral method of choice, CRISPR/Cas9 system has been extensively and effectively exploited to fight against human infectious viruses. Infectious diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and other viruses are still global threats with persistent potential to probably cause pandemics. To facilitate virus removals, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has already been customized to confer new antiviral capabilities into host animals either by modifying host genome or by directly targeting viral inherent factors in the form of DNA. Although several limitations and difficulties still need to be conquered, this technology holds great promises in the treatment of human viral infectious diseases. In this review, we will first present a brief biological feature of CRISPR/Cas9 systems, which includes a description of CRISPR/Cas9 structure and composition; thereafter, we will focus on the investigations and applications that employ CRISPR/Cas9 system to combat several human infectious viruses and discuss challenges and future perspectives of using this new platform in the preclinical and clinical settings as an antiviral strategy.

Considering Ethics in Agricultural Experimental Research with Special Mention to Agricultural Biotechnology Research

Ethics in experimental research equals scientific integrity, a notion principle particularly stressing honesty while implementing discipline concepts on what is excellent and terrible. Some moral responsibility is defined through specifically agreed standards in doing experimental research. Ethics of experimental research in agriculture involves all activities done before, during, and after the study, consisting of personal, research, and social ethics. Ethical code and policy include, but are not limited to, honesty, objectivity, integrity, carefulness, openness, intellectual right recognition, confidentiality, responsible publication, social responsibility, competency, legality, and protecting research object/subject (plant, animal, human) from possible unfair manipulation. One development triggering the controversy of agriculture’s experimental ethics is the progress of agricultural biotechnology which resulted in genetic engineering products. Rules, regulations, and laws concerning the use and development of genetic engineering in agriculture to avoid adverse effects of these products, such as rising environmental hazards, increasing human health degradation, and unfair economic competition, should be considered and implemented.

Towards responsible communication of agricultural biotechnology research for the common good.

Lack of critical assessment and responsible reporting of proof-of-concept agricultural biotechnologies such as CRISPR–Cas can delay innovation, jeopardize public trust and waste resources, especially in the Global South. In this commentary, we propose solutions to facilitate a more responsible innovation pipeline and to realize the potential of biotechnology in agriculture. Mehta and Vanderschuren advocate for more stringent standards in reporting agricultural biotechnology research.

Development of In Vitro Callus Induction and Regeneration Protocol for Newly Released Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Genotypes from Inner Leaf Sheath

Improvement of sugarcane through conventional breeding takes longer time (8-10 years) to release new improved genotypes. Callus induction and regeneration protocol is a prerequisite for genetic improvement through genetic engineering. Hence, this study was initiated to develop a protocol for in vitro callus induction and regeneration of three sugarcane genotypes (C86-56, C132-81 and SP70-1284) using immature young leaf as a source of explants. Seed cane of 30 cm size having 2 nodes each were obtained from Metehara Research and Development, operating under Ethiopian Sugar Corporation. They were then brought to the National Agricultural Biotechnology Research center and planted in the greenhouse to serve as sources of explants. The treatments were arranged in a factorial experiment laid out in a completely randomized design. For callus induction MS medium supplemented with five levels of 2,4-D (2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mg/l) was used. Immature leaves were collected from the green house grown plants 3 months after planting and were cultured on callus induction medium after sterilizing with 5% berekina for 15 minutes and then followed by 70% alcohol for 30 seconds under the biological safety cabinet. For plant regeneration four levels of BAP (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/l) were used in combination with four levels of IBA (0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 mg/l). Callus induction experiment was replicated four times and each replicate was represented by four explants per a culture jar and shoot regeneration experiment was replicated three times, 2 embryogenic calli per jar each for regeneration. Data were recorded for all parameters and analyzed using Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Software version 9.3. Means were separated using least significant differences (LSD) at 0.001 probability level. Analyses of variance indicated that days to callus initiation, frequency of callus induction and callus weight were affected significantly (p≤0.001) by genotype, 2, 4-D levels and their interaction. Genotype C132-81 was identified as the best for early callus initiation, high frequency of callus and callus weight. The highest percentage (92.31%) of callus initiation was recorded on medium supplemented with 3.0 mg/l of 2,4-D with higher callus weight (454.5 mg). Regeneration percentage, number of shoots, shoot length and number of leaves per shoot were also significantly (p≤0.001) affected by genotype, BAP, IBA and their interaction effect. Genotype C132-81 also recorded significantly higher number of shoots (43.44±0.5) on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/l BAP in combination with 0.5 mg/l IBA. Genotype C86-56 gave higher shoot length (6.38±0.08) cm while C132-81 gave the higher number of leaves (8.24±0.06) at 2.0 mg/l BAP+0.25 mg/l IBA. In conclusion, 3.0 mg/l and 3.5 mg/l 2,4-D concentrations were found optimum for callus induction and development, while 1.5 mg/l BAP+0.5 mg/l IBA was the best for plant regeneration. Keywords : genotype, explant, callus induction, regeneration DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-3-05 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

SCREENING OF ACIT SULPHATE SOILS FUNGI FROM SOUTH KALIMANTAN AS SOURCE OF EXTRACELULAR ENZYMES

Kalimantan acid sulphate land has the potential to be developed into productive land, with good land optimization. Utilization of rhizosphere microorganism diversity, especially mold can potentially provide a solution in optimizing agricultural land, namely the ability to produce extracellular enzymes. This study aims to determine the potential of mold originating from acid sulphate fields in producing extracellular enzymes (pectinase, chitinase, glucanase, cellulase, and phosphatase). The study was conducted in June-July 2019 at the Microbiology Laboratory, Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development. Screening of extracellular enzyme-producing fungi was carried out on selection media. The results obtained by some isolates have the ability to produce extracellular enzymes. Indications of the ability of mold to produce extracellular enzymes are the presence of clear zones in the selection medium. In pectinase, chitinase and glucanase testing all isolates showed negative results. Potential isolates in producing extracellular enzymes include Penicillium sp. Paddy 4.1 (cellulolytic index 2.43), Clonostachys sp. KRMT 17.9 and Penicillium singorense KLK 13.7 (proteolytic indices 3.97 and 3,00, respectively). The difference in index values ​​indicates the variation in the level of enzyme activity.

Development of physical color reference for Indonesia paddy collection

One of the objectives of genebank management is to maintain the genetic identity of its collection. In order to maintain the genetic identity, it is important to check new seed against a reference collection. A simple morphological character for determining the reference collection is the color of lemma and palea. Lemma and palea is a pair of bract-like organ in the floret and have similar pattern of pigmentation and therefore can be treated together. The color of lemma and palea determine the seed color. To develop reference collection for grain color characterization of rice germplasm in the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD) Genebank, 1,000 sample of seeds produced from different year of regeneration are characterized based on the lemma and color categories of the IRRI guidelines for the characterization and evaluation system. Samples of each category were then arranged and photographed. From 11 categories of lemma and palea color described in the guidelines, there are six color categories available from genebank rice collection, whereas five color categories were not found. The six available color categories were straw, golden, brown spot in the straw background, brown line in the straw background, brown, orange-brown and black. Five color categories were not found in the collections i.e. red-purple, purple spots on straw, purple line on straw, purple and white. This material reference could be used for characterization of Indonesian rice. The seeds of the absent categories might need to be aquisitated to the genebank to complete the reference collection.

SELEKSI FENOTIPE DAN MOLEKULER GALUR GALUR PADI (Oryza sativa L.) LOKUS PUP1 DAN ALT PADA LARUTAN HARA YOSHIDA

ABSTRACT This research aimed to selection the phenotype and molecular of rice lines ( Oryza sativa L.) containing Pup1 and Alt loci at various concentrations of Al and P elements in yoshida nutrient solution. This research was conducted from November 2018 to February 2019 at The Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development Bogor. The phenotype study used a Split Plot Design with two factors and repeated three times. The first factor was the variation of Al×P concentrations consisting of eight levels and the second factor was the variation of rice lines consisting of twenty levels. The molecular study used three primers to detect the rice lines with Pup1 and Alt loci. The results of the Yoshida nutrient solution showed that the A4 level of Al×P concentrations (0 ppm of Al×15 ppm of P) had the best average of other levels. In rice lines with Pup1 loci G4 [10B (B4-SK4)] showed the highest average on the root dry-weight parameters. In rice lines with Pup1 and Alt loci G11 [35(21(B15)-3] showed the highest average on the root dry-weight parameters at the A2 level of Al×P concentrations (0 ppm of Al×5 ppm of P) for Pup1 loci and A6 level of Al×P concentrations (60 ppm of Al×5 ppm of P) for Alt loci. In the molecular study, three primers can detect the rice lines that contained Pup1 and Alt loci. K46-2 specific primer detected the Pup1 loci with the comparison of Kasalath rice variety. RM12031 and RM1361 primers detected the Alt loci with the comparison of Dupa rice variety.

The Evolving Structure of Chinese R&D Funding and its Implications for the Productivity of Agricultural Biotechnology Research

AbstractChina’s research and development (R&D) policy has changed considerably over recent decades, and great changes occurred in 2006 when the main programme objective of China’s R&D changed from the 863 Programme and 973 Programme to the National Science and Technology Major Project. One topic that has drawn extensive attention is whether the investment reform improved R&D productivity in China. Using a unique panel dataset from 160 universities, this paper examines the effect of the investment reform on productivity improvement in China’s agricultural biotechnology sector. We use a panel count data model with a dynamic feedback mechanism to model the knowledge production process. Strong evidence indicates that the investment reform greatly contributes to knowledge output production in China’s agricultural biotechnology sector. We also find that the input quality is more important than the absolute quantity; human research capacity exhibits the greatest contribution to the output of patents; past knowledge accumulation helps produce more patents; and entry barriers to patent production exist in China’s agricultural biotechnology sector. Moreover, the patent explosion in China may have been largely caused by improvements in the human capital input quality.

Genetic variability of Indonesian eggplant (Solanum melongena) based on ISSR markers

Abstract. Husnudin UB, Daryono BS, Purnomo. 2019. Genetic variability of Indonesian Eggplant (Solanum melongena) based on ISSR markers. Biodiversitas 20: 3049-3055. Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is one of important vegetable in Indonesia and this country has a variety of eggplant germplasm, whereas molecular data of Indonesian eggplant is limited. This study describes an analysis of genetic variation based on ISSR markers to determine the diversity and phenetic relationship of Indonesian eggplants. 23 samples were collected from the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD) and some commercial cultivars. Data were analyzed by ISSR analysis using UBC 809, UBC 880, UBC 888, UBC 892 and UBC 895 primers. Similarity index was counted by Jaccard Coefficient formula based on molecular scoring. Cluster analysis was conducted by Unweighted Pair Group Methods using Arithmetic averages (UPGMA) method to create a dendrogram with Multivariate Statistical Program (MVSP) v.3.1 software. The results showed that ISSR markers were effective in the estimation of the genetic variability of eggplant accessions characterized by different level of polymorphism. Five ISSR primers generated 40 polymorphic bands (64.5% of the total). The dendrogram divided 23 eggplant accessions into 2 main clusters and one accession ("terong jawa"/K18) located outside from the main cluster. Results suggested that all accessions were grouped randomly into some clusters not in accordance with the locations of sample collection.

Response of wheat genotypes against leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) under field conditions

Leaf rust occurs worldwide wherever wheat is grown. The current research was planned to evaluate the response of 37 wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes against leaf rust resistance under field conditions during crop season 2017-18.These genotypes were sown in augmented design with two meter long line sowing method with 30 cm row to row distance at research area of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute (ABRI), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, Pakistan. After every five genotypes, a line of rust spreader “Morocco” was sown. Moreover, the trial was also surrounded by planting two rows of spreader to increase the inoculum pressure. Data was recorded on the basis of leaf rust severity scale. Leaf rust severity response was variable among tested genotypes. Out of thirty-seven genotypes, five wheat lines were immune (no disease symptoms) i.e. 17BT007, 17BT013, 16BT008, 16BT010 and 16BT011. Seven lines were found to be resistant with AUDPC vales ranged 1-199. Response of ten lines was moderately resistant while five lines were categorized as moderately susceptible. Ten genotypes exhibited susceptible response against leaf rust with more than 600 AUDPC value. High values above 600 of AUDPC showed greater incidence of leaf rust on wheat plants while lower AUDPC values indicated resistance to leaf rust. Present research provided the resistant wheat lines to the breeders to incorporate them in their breeding program against leaf rust.

Biosafety of RNA silencing and genome editing technologies in crop plants: Malaysian and Australian research perspectives

Research in agricultural biotechnology can produce novel solutions to address the ever growing demand for food, feed, renewable materials and renewable energy using increasingly limited resources. Yet research is expensive with long timelines before implementation can disseminate the benefits to society, so there is a need to maximise co-operation and communication between scientists, stakeholders and their governments, to optimise research, its development and the implementation of research outcomes, into mainstream applications. Recognising the impacts of regulations on biosafety, biosecurity and intellectual property policy on strategies for research, senior and early career researchers from two research intensive universities in Malaysia and Australia, held a workshop to identify and to deliberate over two key areas of technology that offer much promise for agriculture, namely RNA silencing and genome editing. A major focus of the workshop was the regulation of new breeding technologies, and how the regulations need to take into account these new technologies. Themes discussed were the need for harmonisation of international legal frameworks and careful use of terminology, standards and guidelines; and the need for good communication and consensus within and between groups of stakeholders and law-makers. This mini-review highlights the deliberations and recommendations from the workshop.