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.

In Vitro Growth Response of Different Varieties of Greater Yam (Dioscorea alata L.)

Abstract: A simple, reproducible and efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for three different varieties of greater yam ( Dioscorea alata L.) viz ., Sree Roopa, Sree Keerthi and Sree Shilpa using nodal segments for axillary shoot proliferation at Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India. The effect of different explants, surface sterilants and different combinations and concentrations of Benzyl Adenine (BA) and Napthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) on different parameters viz. , number of shoots, shoot length, number of roots, root length, number of leaves and number of nodal meristems were evaluated. The use of nodes from young, vigorously growing vines of sprouted tubers as well as 4 - 8 nodes from the tip of field grown plants proved to be the best explant source which gave a quick response. Minimal risk of contamination was observed with 0.08% mercuric chloride (HgCl 2 ), which was found to be an effective surface sterilant. For in vitro regeneration, MS media with 0.5 mg l -1 NAA and 0.75 mg l -1 BA with 0.1% activated charcoal was found to be the best. A high percentage of shoots were seen rooted in the same medium containing 0.1% activated charcoal (92%). Regenerated plants were successfully hardened and transplanted. About 90% of plantlets survived under net house conditions.

Variability of Carotenoids and Dry Matter Content in Orange-fleshed Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) During Storage

Abstract: Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) possess carotenoids, which is a precursor of vitamin A. Planting time and processing methods are believed to affect carotene content of orange-fleshed sweet potato storage roots. Since OFSP are a rich source of β -carotene, it is essential to determine whether sweet potato carotenoids are stable during storage. The changes in dry matter and carotenoids were studied at regular intervals during 35 days of storage in 10 orange-fleshed sweet potato clones at Central Tuber Crops Research Insititue, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. There was a significant variation in the content of total carotenoids (10.32 – 13.99 mg 100g -1 f.w) and β -Carotene (9.02 – 12.16 mg 100g -1 f.w) among the clones. A gradual increase in dry matter from 24.1 to 25.5% was observed during storage, due to depletion of moisture. There was no significant change in total carotenoids and β -carotene content in the OFSP clones during the storage period. The results of the study indicated that the total carotenoids and β -carotene in sweet potato storage roots had high stability during storage.

PCR-based approach for mining of resistant gene analogues in taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Abstract: Primers based on the conserved motifs were used to isolate nucleotide-binding sites (NBS) type sequences in taro (Colocasia esculenta). Cloning and sequencing identified three taro NBS-type sequences called resistance gene analogues (RGAs) that depicted similarity to other cloned RGA sequences. The deduced amino acid sequences of the RGAs detected the presence of conserved domains, viz. P-loop, categorising them with the NBS–leucine-rich repeat class gene family. Phylogenetic characterisation of the taro RGAs along with RGAs of other plant species grouped them with the non-toll interleukin receptor subclasses of the NBS sequences. The isolation and characterisation of taro RGAs have been reported for the first time in this study. This will provide a starting point towards characterisation of candidate resistance genes in taro and can act as a reference guide for future studies.