Research Articles (Biotechnology)
http://hdl.handle.net/10566/502
2024-03-19T07:16:53ZSeed priming with MeJa prevents salt-induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage in sorghum bicolor by inducing the expression of jasmonic acid biosynthesis genes
http://hdl.handle.net/10566/9300
Seed priming with MeJa prevents salt-induced growth inhibition and oxidative damage in sorghum bicolor by inducing the expression of jasmonic acid biosynthesis genes
Mulaudzi, Takalani; Sias, Gershwin; Nkuna, Mulisa
Salinity is one of the major detrimental abiotic stresses at the forefront of deterring crop productivity globally. Although the exogenous application of phytohormones has formerly proven efficacious to plants, their effect on the moderately stress-tolerant crop “Sorghum bicolor” remains elusive. To investigate this, S. bicolor seeds primed with methyl jasmonate (0; 10 and 15 μM MeJa) were exposed to salt (200 mM NaCl) stress, and their morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular attributes were measured. Salt stress significantly decreased shoot length and fresh weight by 50%, whereas dry weight and chlorophyll content were decreased by more than 40%. Furthermore, salt-stress-induced oxidative damage was evident by the formation of brown formazan spots (indicative of H2O2 production) on sorghum leaves and a more than 30% increase in MDA content. However, priming with MeJa improved growth, increased chlorophyll content, and prevented oxidative damage under salt stress. While 15 µM MeJa maintained proline content to the same level as the salt-stressed samples, total soluble sugars were maintained under 10 µM MeJa, indicating a high degree of osmotic adjustment.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZRecent advancements in the breeding of sorghum crop: current status and future strategies for marker-assisted breeding
http://hdl.handle.net/10566/9293
Recent advancements in the breeding of sorghum crop: current status and future strategies for marker-assisted breeding
Ludidi, Ndomelele; Baloch, Faheem Shehzad; Altaf, Muhammad Tanveer
Sorghum is emerging as a model crop for functional genetics and genomics of tropical grasses with abundant uses, including food, feed, and fuel, among others. It is currently the fifth most significant primary cereal crop. Crops are subjected to various biotic and abiotic stresses, which negatively impact on agricultural production. Developing high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient cultivars can be achieved through marker-assisted breeding. Such selection has considerably reduced the time to market new crop varieties adapted to challenging conditions. In the recent years, extensive knowledge was gained about genetic markers. We are providing an overview of current advances in sorghum breeding initiatives, with a special focus on early breeders who may not be familiar with DNA markers. Advancements in molecular plant breeding, genetics, genomics selection, and genome editing have contributed to a thorough understanding of DNA markers, provided various proofs of the genetic variety accessible in crop plants, and have substantially enhanced plant breeding technologies. Marker-assisted selection has accelerated and precised the plant breeding process, empowering plant breeders all around the world.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZIdentification of superior cellulase secretion phenotypes in haploids derived from natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates
http://hdl.handle.net/10566/9173
Identification of superior cellulase secretion phenotypes in haploids derived from natural Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates
Davison, Steffi A.; den Haan, Riaan; van Zyl, Willem Heber
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is considered an important host for consolidated bioprocessing and the production of
high titres of recombinant cellulases is required for efficient hydrolysis of lignocellulosic substrates to fermentable sugars.
Since recombinant protein secretion profiles vary highly among different strain backgrounds, careful selection of robust
strains with optimal secretion profiles is of crucial importance. Here, we construct and screen sets of haploid derivatives,
derived from natural strain isolates YI13, FINI and YI59, for improved general cellulase secretion. This report details a novel
approach that combines secretion profiles of strains and phenotypic responses to stresses known to influence the secretion
pathway for the development of a phenotypic screen to isolate strains with improved secretory capacities. A clear
distinction was observed between the YI13 haploid derivatives and industrial and laboratory counterparts, Ethanol Red and
S288c, respectively. By using sub-lethal concentrations of the secretion stressor tunicamycin and cell wall stressor Congo
Red, YI13 haploid derivative strains demonstrated tolerance profiles related to their heterologous secretion profiles. Our
results demonstrated that a new screening technique combined with a targeted mating approach could produce a pool of
novel strains capable of high cellulase secretion.
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZImpact of metagenomic DNA extraction procedures on the identifiable endophytic bacterial diversity in Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench)
http://hdl.handle.net/10566/9170
Impact of metagenomic DNA extraction procedures on the identifiable endophytic bacterial diversity in Sorghum bicolor (L. Moench)
Maropola, Mapula Kgomotso Annah; Ramond, Jean-Baptiste; Trindade, Marla
Culture-independent studies rely on the quantity and quality of the extracted environmental metagenomic DNA
(mDNA). To fully access the plant tissue microbiome, the extracted plant mDNA should allow optimal PCR
applications and the genetic content must be representative of the total microbial diversity. In this study, we evaluated the endophytic bacterial diversity retrieved using different mDNA extraction procedures. Metagenomic
DNA from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) stem and root tissues were extracted using two classical DNA
extraction protocols (CTAB- and SDS-based) and five commercial kits. The mDNA yields and quality as well as
the reproducibility were compared. 16S rRNA gene terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism
(t-RFLP) was used to assess the impact on endophytic bacterial community structures observed. Generally, the
classical protocols obtained high mDNA yields from sorghum tissues; however, they were less reproducible
than the commercial kits. Commercial kits retrieved higher quality mDNA, but with lower endophytic bacterial
diversities compared to classical protocols.
2015-01-01T00:00:00Z