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.

Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for Rapid, Sensitive Detection, and Identification of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causing Greater Yam Anthracnose

Abstract: Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is an economically important disease which affects greater yam (Dioscorea alata L.) worldwide. Apart from airborne conidia, the pathogen propagules surviving in soil and planting material are the major sources of inoculum. A nested PCR assay has been developed for specific detection of C. gloeosporioides in soil and planting material. In conventional (single-round) PCR, the limit of detection was 20 pg, whereas in nested PCR the detection limit increased to 0.2 pg of DNA. The primers designed were found to be highly specific and could be used for accurate identification of the pathogen up to species level. The protocol was standardized for detection of the pathogen in artificially and naturally infected field samples.

Inheritance of gynoecism in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) using genotype GBS-1 as gynoecious parent

Abstract: The inheritance pattern of gynoecious sex expression in cucumber was studied by utilizing a gynoecious line (GBS-1) and two monoecious lines (Pusa Uday and Punjab Naveen). Crosses were made between gynoecious line (GBS-1) and monoecious lines (Pusa Uday and Punjab Naveen). The F1 and F2 population along with parental lines were evaluated to study the inheritance of this trait. All F1 hybrids showed gynoecious sex in both crosses and in the F2 generation, the observed distribution of plant phenotypes fitted the expected mendelian ratio of 3 (gynocious plant) : 1 (monoecious plant). The segregation of plant sex types suggested monogenic dominant control of gynoecious sex form in cucumber using genotype GBS-1.

Molecular evidence supports hypervariability in Phytophthora colocasiae associated with leaf blight of taro

Abstract: The oomycete Phytophthora colocasiae that causes taro leaf blight is the most devastating disease of taro and is widely distributed worldwide. Molecular and phenotypic techniques were employed for assessing and exploiting the genetic variability among four populations of P. colocasiae obtained from a fine spatial scale (multiple leaf blight lesions on single taro leaf). Phenotypic characters such as virulence, morphology and mating type showed no variation. ITS characterization revealed detectable polymorphism among isolates of P. colocasiae. The mean number of haplotypes (H), haplotype diversity (HD), nucleotide diversity (π), and nucleotide substitution rate (θ) among analyzed sequences were 6.75, 1.00, 0.069, and 0.088 respectively. High levels of inter and intra specific variation were detected by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assays. Moderate genetic diversity (H = 0.2651) was observed among populations of P. colocasiae. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) confirmed that most of the genetic variability was confined to within a population (63.54 %). The coefficient of genetic differentiation among populations (G ST ) was 0.2007 and estimates of gene flow (Nm) among populations was 1.991 migrants per generation. Cluster analysis using UPGMA revealed that individuals from the same population failed to cluster in one distinct group. The results of the study reveal considerable genetic diversity among and within populations of P. colocasiae obtained from fine spatial scale. The possible mechanisms and implications of this genetic variation are discussed.

Influence of Lipids Isolated from Soybean Seed on Different Properties of Cassava Starch

Abstract: The effect of lipids isolated from soybean seeds on the properties of cassava starch was investigated. Both polar and non-polar lipid fractions were complexed with starch and the physicochemical and rheological properties were examined. The FTIR spectra of the complexed starches showed all the absorption bands characteristic of native starch with an extra minor peak at 2355 cm -1 . The complexes prepared using the polar lipid fraction in diethyl ether as solvent exhibited a swelling volume of 32.5 mUg compared to 36.9 mL/g for petroleum ether as solvent. A similar effect was observed with the non-polar fraction. The apparent amylose content of the complexes was found to be lowered as a result of complexation. Total and soluble amylose contents and water-binding capacity of the complexes were higher while their enzyme digestibility was noticeably lowered. The peak viscosity of the complexes was suppressed as a result of complexation. The polar layer exhibited a greater influence on the viscometric properties of the complexes with a higher breakdown ratio and hence higher stability. When compared to native starch, the percentage light transmittance of the complexes was noticeably reduced. The results indicate a considerable influence of the isolated lipid fractions on starch properties which can be useful in food and industrial applications.