Central Tuber Crops Research Institute

About: Central Tuber Crops Research Institute is a facility organization based out in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Starch & Fermentation. The organization has 475 authors who have published 587 publications receiving 10285 citations.

Nutritional Response of Sweet Potato Genotypes on Saline Inceptisol

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive rabi seasons during 2009–2011 to find out the suitable genotypes for salinity stress and the effect of graded doses of NPK and organic manure for sustainable production, proximate composition and nutrient uptake of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) on saline Inceptisol of West Bengal. Among the genotypes, Samrat was found superior in respect of tuber yield (19.6 t ha−1) followed by CIP-440127 (18.3 t ha−1), whereas significantly highest vine yield was observed for Pusa Safed (23.9 t ha−1) that was similar to Samrat (22.6 t ha−1). Application of 75 N - 22 P – 63 K (kg ha−1) recorded highest tuber yield (18.3 t ha−1) with all varieties. Significantly highest starch and dry matter contents (22.8 and 30.9%, respectively) were recorded in Kishan, while those parameters were highest (21.8 and 30.3%, respectively) with the application of 100% NPK. Significantly highest total uptake of N, P and K was observed in Samrat. Incorporation of organic manure i.e. 5 t FYM ha−1 alone has shown almost equivalent yield response and quality over that of 75% NPK. The genotypes Samrat, CIP440127 and Pusa Safed were relatively tolerant to salinity stress (10–20 dS m−1), and application of 100% NPK produced more yield of sweet potato.

Next-generation sequencing reveals endosymbiont variability in cassava whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, across the agro-ecological zones of Kerala, India.

Abstract: Silverleaf whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), is one of the most notorious invasive insect pests, infesting more than 900 species of plants and spreading more than 200 v...

Development of an Efficient Real-time PCR Assay to Accurately Quantify Resistant Gene Analogue Expression in Taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Abstract: Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott.), an important tropical tuber crop with high nutritive, and medicinal potential, is ranked fourteen among the most consumed vegetable worldwide. Leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae, is one of the most destructive diseases of taro which leads to severe yield loss up to 50%. The objective of this study was to standardize the quantification of RGA (resistant gene analogues) expression in resistant and susceptible taro varieties. For isolating the taro RGAs, PCR-based strategy with degenerate primers was used and the obtained sequences showed similarity with other RGA sequences in the NCBI database, which categorised them into the NBS-LRR class of gene family. The conserved domain search has proved the presence of Nucleotide Binding-ARC domain in all the sequences. RGA specific primer was designed based on sequence information, which is the first report in taro. The expression of RGAs in Muktakeshi and Sree Kiran genotypes was determined by the SYBR green PCR assay with actin as reference gene. The target gene was up-regulated during the course of infection in both the resistant and susceptible varieties, but the difference was that the hike in expression upon pathogenwas found earlier in resistant variety than the susceptible variety and the level of expression (fold change) was also more in the resistant variety. The found results should be used as a good start point for further studies such as candidate gene mapping for taro leaf blight.

Thermo Mediated Activity of Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) Predating on Rhizoecus amorphophalli Betren (Hemiptera: Rhizoecidae) on Elephant foot yam

Abstract: Elephant foot yam ( Amorphophallus paeoniifolius Dennst.) tubers are infested with Oriental mealybug, Rhizoecus amorphophalli Betren in storage. The pest sucks and de-saps the cell content of tubers. It causes 10-15% infestation on the tubers leading to reduced vitality. The coccinellid, Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant is a potential predator of R. amorphophalli . Studies were carried out to determine the optimum temperature required for C. montrouzieri for controlling R. amorphophalli in storage. At 30°C, the population of R. amorphophalli was found to increase faster than at 20°C and 25°C. The population growth was not favoured at 35°C. The C. montrouzieri was found voraciously feeding R. amorphophalli at 25°C. Feeding activity of the C. montrouzieri declined between 30°C and 35°C. The temperature higher than 30°C was not conducive for survival of the predator and significant mortality was recorded at 35°C (P< 0.01). Studies revealed that the temperature range between 25°C and 30°C in storage is most suitable for release of C. montrouzieri for successful control of R. amorphophalli.

Desynapsis in Alocasia indica Schott

Abstract: In a culture of Alocasia indica (2n=28), one plant was found to be desynaptic. At pachytene, pairing apparently was complete, but at diakinesis and metaphase I on the average only 2.36 and 1.53 bivalents respectively were found. Desynapsis is of the medium-strong type according to Prakken. Later meiotic stages were irregular and pollen sterility was 95%. The origin must have been spontaneous mutation.