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.

Cytogenetic studies in the sub-section Halepensia of the genus Sorghum

Abstract: Salient morphological characters of seven interspecific hybrids were studied and compared with their respective parental species. The dominance relationship of several qualitative characters were also determined.

Yield Estimation of Cassava Using SIMCAS Model Over the Major Cassava Growing Regions in India

Abstract: A study was carried out to test the SIMCAS (growth simulation model for cassava) model over major cassava-growing regions in India with different agro-climatic conditions to understand the wider acceptability of this model. The study locations included the major growing areas of cassava in India, viz. Thiruvananthapuram, Salem, Navsari, Ratnagiri, and West Godavari. Two varieties, H-226 (long-duration) and Sree Vijaya (short-duration), were used to validate this model. The crop growth parameters for calibrating the model were derived by conducting field experiments at the five locations under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Tuber Crops. The model verification score and agreement index during yield simulation in the case of H-226 and Sree Vijaya were ranged from 0.69 to 0.99 and from 0.52 to 0.59, respectively. The values of normalized objective function (0.10–0.26) and normalized root mean square error (excellent to fair simulations) also showed the reliability of the model simulations with the field observations. Based on the model performance, this study recommended the wider applicability of SIMCAS for simulating cassava yield irrespective of the agro-climatic conditions.

Identification of disease resistance genes in cassava using NBS transcriptome profiling

Abstract: Cassava production is seriously affected by cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and is one of the most important problems in India and Africa. The disease can be kept under control by deploying resistance genes through marker assisted selection (MAS). Nucleotide Binding Site (NBS) profiling is a motif directing profiling technique specifically targets chromosomal region containing resistance genes (R) and produce markers tightly linked withR-genes. The present study aims to target disease resistance (R) genes in cassava using NBS transcriptome profiling technique. For this purpose, two cassava varieties viz., MNga-1 (resistant variety) and CI732 (susceptible variety) were selected on the basis of CMD resistance and generated reproducible polymorphic multi-locus banding pattern with NBS prmers (NBS2 &NBS5). The polymorphic bands present in the resistant variety were eluted and directly sequenced using ABI3500 automated sequencer. The functional annotations of the sequences were carried out in both Phytozome v10 and NCBI using blastn program and RCa6 gene, non-specific lipid-transfer protein (ns-LTPs) and heat shock proteins (Hsp 90, Hsp 89-1, Hsp 81.2) involved in plant defense against cassava mosaic virus and its insect vector whitefly.

Whitefly [Bemisia tabaci (Genn.)] on Cassava: Seasonal Variation and Varietal Preference

Abstract: A simple method was developed for the estimation of whitefly [ Bemisia tabaci (Genn .)] population on cassava at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India. The maximum number of late instars of whitefly was found on the 8 th and 9 th leaf from the top. The late instars of whitefly could be counted on the 8 th leaf in situ without any aid. The nymphal count on the 8 th leaf showed a significant correlation with the adult population of the previous month. The tender most leaf of the cassava plant took 20-22 days to become the 8 th leaf from top. The life cycle of whitefly was completed in about 17-30 days with an average of 25 days. The time taken for the growth of the tender most leaf to the 8 th leaf position and the development of the insect from egg to late instar synchronised. Each cassava leaf has on an average seven leaflets and there was a preference for middle leaflet (4 th ) for egg laying. Development and population build up of B. tabaci was seen affected by temperature and humidity and not by rainfall and sunshine. Significant seasonal variation and varietal preference were recorded in the population. The varietal preference changed according to season and the host preferred by adult and nymph also varied, which indicated that the preference of host for feeding and development were not the same.

Characterization of mealy substance secreted by the tuber crops pest mealy bug, Rhizoecus amoprhophalli

Abstract: Rhizoecus amorphophalli is a polyphagous and very serious sucking insect pest on the root and tuber of plants. White powdery mealy substance associated with R. amorphophalli, gives protection to the insect. Mealy substance was isolated using a stereo zoom binocular microscope. Purity of the mealy substance was analysed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Thin-layer chromatography. The structure of mealy substance was determined based on extensive spectroscopic analyses (FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR). Based on the NMR data, the mealy substance was identified as a long-chained aliphatic hydrocarbon (ester) containing 30 carbon atoms.