Biotechnology

 

Divisional Head:  Dr. A. K. SAHA, Scientist – D.

 

SCIENTISTS :

 

1.                     Dr. (Mrs.) Rita Banerjee, Scientist – C.

2.                     Dr. Soumen Chattopadhyay, Scientist-C

3.                     Mrs. Lalitha. N, Scientist – B

 

OBJECTIVES : 

 

·        To hasten the targeted improvement of mulberry by harnessing molecular marker technologies.

·        Characterization of agronomically important traits of specific mapping progenies to support construction of linkage map and dissecting important QTLs.

·        To facilitate rapid screening and assessment of biotic and abiotic responsive important traits of mulberry utilizing various tissue culture techniques.

 

ACHIEVEMENTS :      

 

Ø       Identified source of resistance to Powdery mildew disease of mulberry through conventional symptomatic screening under natural and artificial epiphytotics. Identified a number of putative DNA tags /segments associated with powdery mildew resistance (collaborative study with CCMB, Hyderabad).

Ø       Established and in planta screened a mapping population (-150nos) derived from the cross of two well-adopted and widely cultivated varieties of mulberry (Mysore local X V-1). 

Ø       Established protocol for direct shoot initials development from leaf disc explants of commercial cultivars of mulberry (S-1). 

Ø       Identified two major sources of bacterial leaf spot resistance(BLS) through in-depth screening trials, establishment of BLS specific mapping progeny  and analyzed the genetics of the resistant trait

 

RESOURCES :              

·       Binocular Microscope

·       BOD Incubator with shaker

·       Centrifuge

·       DNA Hybridization Oven

·       Gel Documentation System

·       Gradient PCR

·       High Speed Refrigerated Centrifuges

·       Horizontal Shaker

·       Hot Air Oven

·       Ice Flakers

·       Laboratory Centrifuge

·       Laminar Air Flow

·       Lyophilizer

·       Simple Microscopes

·       Spectrophotometers

·       Stereoscopic Binocular Compound Microscope

·       Thermostatic water bath

·       Top loading Balance

·       Variable Gel Electrophoresis systems

·       Dry bath with standard heating block

·       Platform rocker

·       Micro centrifuge

·       Water bath

·       Vortex cyclo-mixer

  

ONGOING PROJECT (02):

 

DBT supported project 1

 

Development, validation and utilization of SCAR marker(s) for powdery mildew (Phyllactinia   corylea) resistance in mulberry

(Nov. 2009–Oct. 2012) (Sanction No. BT/PR11675/PBD/19/196/2008 dated 12.10.2009; in collaboration with CCMB- Hyderabad)

 

Objectives:         

Generalized objectives:

·       Development of SCAR marker(s) linked to resistance response to powdery mildew.

·       Validation of the developed SCAR marker(s) for their stability/inheritance using powdery mildew specific mapping progenies.

·       Testing the validated SCAR marker(s) for their potential utility as efficient selection markers in MAS   approach based disease resistance breeding.

 

Specific objectives of the Institute:

Ø      Development of powdery mildew specific mapping progeny.

Ø      Raising of progeny by transfer of resistant trait to improved strains for MAS based breeding approach.

Ø      Evaluation of mapping population for powdery mildew resistance and other associated parameters for SCAR validation

 

DBT supported project 2

 

Development of DNA marker based genetic linkage map of mulberry and QTL analysis for   agronomically important planta traits   (March 2011- February2014) 

(Sanction no. BT/PR11872/PBD/19/200/2009 dated 16.03.2011; in collaboration with CCMB- Hyderabad)

 

Objectives:         

Generalized objectives:

Ø     Development of mulberry specific SSR markers for genetic studies.

Ø     Construction of reasonably dense molecular linkage map using the ‘Mysore local x V-1’ mapping population and different types of molecular markers.

Ø      In planta evaluation of mapping population for various agronomical traits including response to some important foliar diseases.

Ø      Linkage analysis to identify major QTLs linked to some important traits of interest.

 

Specific objectives of the Institute

1.      Extensive phenotyping of the mapping population for various agronomical traits and responses of important   foliar diseases.

2.       Identification/crossing of some promising progeny plants for possible trait refinement and/or mapping validation.

 

ONGOING PROGRAMME:

 

BPP(PS)-001: Improvement of Mulberry through in vitro mutagenesis and somaclonal variation

 

Duration - 18 months (July 2011- Dec. 2012)

 

 

 

Objectives:

·       To develop putative mutants by employing chemical mutagens in mulberry genotypes S1635 and C2038

 

·       To develop somaclonal variants of mulberry genotypes S1635 and C2038

 

 

 

CONCLUDED PROJECTS:

 

1.  DBT supported project: Mulberry genome characterization: DNA profiling for ascertaining genetic diversity and construction of framework linkage map (2003 –2007). (A collaborative project with CSR&TI, Mysore and CCMB, Hyderabad)

 

Findings:

Ø      Established the clonal representation of a mapping population derived from the cross of Mysore local and V1

Ø      Constructed framework linkage map of mulberry utilizing RAPD, AFLP and in-house developed microsat markers at CCMB

Ø      Identified many promising progeny plants with desired improved features based on in planta    characterization.

 

2.    DBT supported project: Identification of DNA markers associated with disease and pest resistance in mulberry (Morus spp.) ( 2005-2008) (DBT funded project in net working mode with CCMB, Hyderabad, CSR&TI, Mysore, CSGRC, Hosur and KSSR&DI, Bangalore).

 

Findings:

Ø    Screened 144 potential core germplasm resources (exotic 61 and indigenous 83) for source of resistance to Phyllactinia corylea under natural mildew infection and under artificial epiphytotics.

Ø    Identified powdery mildew responsive resistant and susceptible accessions.

Ø    Identified some putative DNA tags/segments for powdery mildew resistance at CCMB.

 

3.   CSB Funded Project: PIT 3359-Development of high frequency regeneration protocol from leaf disc explants in mulberry (2006-2009)

    

    Findings:

ü      Standardization of high frequency regeneration protocol of plantlets from leaf disc explants of mulberry

ü      The optimum shoot regeneration from axillary bud explants was observed at 2.0 and 1.0 mg/L 6-BAP and also in 0.2 and 0.1 mg/L TDZ concentrations on MS medium in S-1 and S1635, respectively.

ü      In vitro shoots formed roots on MS medium containing NAA (0.5 - 0.75 mg/L) in 3 weeks of culture

 

4.     CSB Funded Project: PIE-3319: Screening of germplasm and raising of progeny towards development of disease resistant mulberry against bacterial leaf spot (May 2005 – March 2010)

   Findings:

ü      Identified two major sources of resistance (M. rotundiloba & M. multicaulis) and three susceptible (KPG-1, Nagaland local and Bogura-4) accessions.

ü      The continuous variation for bacterial leaf spot (BLS ) responsiveness among the progenies  suggest quantitative nature of resistance in mulberry.

ü      Heritability estimates (both broad and narrow senses) indicate polygenic nature of BLS resistance with additive gene effect.