RAPD based genetic variability among cultivated varieties of Aonla (Indian Gooseberry, Phyllanthus emblica L.).

Aonla, the Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) is widely grown in India due to its neutraceutical properties. Investigations on the use of RAPD markers enabled us to estimate genetic variability among commercially cultivated varieties. This study also enabled us to distinguish these varieties using a set of four decamer primers, which was otherwise difficult by using morphological markers. Cluster analysis revealed three different groups of varieties directly associated to their place of origin. RAPD markers were also able to differentiate varieties of same origin or even selection from same parents. This information can be used for identification of varieties and further crop improvement programme.

Characterization of two TERMINAL FLOWER1 homologs PgTFL1 and PgCENa from pomegranate (Punica granatum L.).

FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and TERMINAL FLOWER1/CENTRORADIALIS (TFL1/CEN) are the key regulators of flowering time in plants with FT promoting flowering and TFL1 repressing flowering. TFL1 also controls floral meristem identity and its maintenance. In this study we have characterized two pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) TFL1/CEN-like genes designated as PgTFL1 and PgCENa. The expression of PgTFL1 and PgCENa fluctuated through alternate pruning and flowering cycles, being highly expressed during the vegetative phase (immediately after pruning) and decreasing gradually in the months thereafter such that their lowest levels, especially for PgCENa coincided with the flowering phase. Both the genes are able to functionally suppress the Arabidopsis tfl1-14 mutant flowering defect. Their expression in Arabidopsis resulted in delayed flowering time, increased plant height and leaf number, branches and shoot buds as compared with wild type, suggesting that PgTFL1 and PgCENa are bonafide homologs of TFL1. However, both the genes show distinct expression patterns, being expressed differentially in vegetative shoot apex and floral bud samples. While PgTFL1 expression was low in vegetative shoot apex and high in flower bud, PgCENa expression showed the opposite trend. These results suggest that the two TFL1s in pomegranate may be utilized to control distinct developmental processes, namely repression of flowering by PgCENa and development and growth of the reproductive tissues by PgTFL1 via distinct temporal and developmental regulation of their expression.

Flowering time in banana (Musa spp.), a day neutral plant, is controlled by at least three FLOWERING LOCUS T homologues.

Banana is an important day neutral food crop with a long flowering/fruiting cycle that is affected by hot summers or cold winters in different places. Manipulating its life cycle requires an understanding of its flowering time machinery to bypass these stresses. Twelve FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) and two TWIN SISTER OF FT (TSF) members were isolated from banana and their organization and expression pattern studied during development in two varieties that differ in flowering time namely Grand Nain (AAA genotype) and Hill banana (AAB genotype). The expression of at least 3 genes namely MaFT1, MaFT2 and MaFT5 (and to some extent MaFT7) increases just prior to initiation of flowering. These four genes and five others (MaFT3, MaFT4, MaFT8, MaFT12 and MaTSF1 could suppress the delayed flowering defect in the Arabidopsis ft-10 mutant and induce early flowering upon over-expression in the Col-0 ecotype. Most genes are diurnally regulated and differentially expressed during development and in various vegetative and reproductive tissues suggesting roles besides flowering. Subtle amino acid changes in these FT/TSF-like proteins provide interesting insights into the structure/function relationships of banana FTs vis-à-vis Arabidopsis. The studies provide a means for manipulation of flowering in banana for better management of resources and to reduce losses through abiotic stresses.

Blood pressure measures among women in south India.

Blood pressures were measured using standard techniques on a random sample of 961 rural and 1073 urban women chosen from North Arcot District in Tamilnadu State of south India. The mean (SD) systolic blood pressures (mm Hg) were 101.4 (10.5) in the rural women and 105.3 (14.1) in the urban. The mean (SD) diastolic blood pressures were 65.9 (9.9) in the rural women and 68.0 (10.8) in the urban. For both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, the urban values were significantly higher than those in the rural. The correlations of blood pressures with selected socioeconomic, obstetric, and maternal factors were examined. For the rural women, blood pressures showed significant associations only with parity and weight. In the urban women significant associations were also noted for age and income. The implications of these findings are briefly discussed.

Adequacy of breast milk for optimal growth of infants.

The weights and heights of 384 breast-fed and bottle-fed infants were studied during the first year of life. The growth of breast-fed infants was superior to that of bottle-fed infants in both sexes. The mean weights and heights of breast-fed male infants were similar to the Harvard standard up to 28 weeks of age. The growth of breast-fed female infants was only parallel to the Harvard standard up to 16 weeks of age, their measurements being lower than Harvard standard from birth, the differences increasing with increasing age. While none of the breast-fed infants suffered severe malnutrition 6% of bottle-fed infants were marasmic at one year of age. Breast milk fulfills the nutritional requirements of infants for four to six months after birth but supplementary feeding is necessary thereafter to maintain optimal growth. Bottle-fed babies are prone to undernutrition because of inadequate calories offered. This risk can be avoided by providing adequate nourishment.

Reproductive wastage and developmental disorders in relation to consanguinity in south India.

The effect of consanguinity on fertility, reproductive loss and developmental disorders were studied in 156 consanguineous marriages in comparison with 221 non-consanguineous marriages. Although fertility was greater (P less than 0.05) in consanguineous than in non-consanguineous marriages, the number of living children were approximately equal in both groups, on account of increased child mortality in the former (P less than 0.05). The frequencies of abortion and stillbirth were (also) approximately equal in both groups. Developmental anomalies were significantly more frequent (P less than 0.001) among the offspring of consanguineous parents. These results indicate the continued presence of deleterious genes in this population, in spite of the practice of consanguinity over many generations.

PIP: The effect of consanguinity on fertility, reproductive loss, and development disorders were studied in South India. The population investigated included 377 unselected mothers who, along with their children, were followed up longitudinally. Each mother was interviewed regarding consanguinity, details of reproductive performance, and death of any offspring. Marriages were classified as unrelated or between uncle and niece, between first cousins, between first cousins once removed, between second cousins, between second cousins once removed, and between third cousins. Among the 377 marriages, 156 (41.4%) were consanguineous and 221 (58.6%) were nonconsanguineous. Consanguinity was more prevalent among Hindus than among Muslims or Christians. The mean and standard deviation in the age of women were similar in all age categories at the time of the study, but the numbers of pregnancies and live births were higher in consanguineous than in nonconsanguineous unions. The mean number of living children were not significantly different in the 2 groups. Although the intrauterine wastage showed no significant difference between the 2 groups, extrauterine loss of life, especially the death rate of children, was higher in the consanguineous marriages. The causes of death in the nonconsanguineous group were diptheria, tuberculosis meningitis, acute nephritis, convulsive disorder, and brain abscess. The causes of death in the consanguineous group were measles with complications, gastroenteritis, pyogenic meningitis, whooping cough, convulsive disorder, undiagnosed fever, burns, and undiagnosed illness with persistent vomiting. In regard to developmental anomalies, in only 1 instance was the condition unequivocally due to autosomal recessive inheritance. In the majority of the remaining cases the disorders were polygenic or multifactorial in origin. The frequency of developmental anomalies was significantly more frequent among the children of consanguineous parents.