Regeneration and assessment of genetic fidelity of the endangered tree Moringa peregrina (Forsk.) Fiori using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)

Effect of irrigation frequency and selenium fertilization on the vegetative growth and biomass yield of Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina

To maximize the production value of Moringa species, there is a need to understand the morphological effect of irrigation frequency and Se fertilizer levels on Moringa species' growth and development. Hence, the aim of this trial was to determine the combined effect of irrigation frequency and Selenium (Se) fertilizer levels on the growth of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) and Moringa peregrina (M. peregrina) in the central region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A split-plot arrangement was used, where the treatments were arranged in a Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with three replicates, as the study included two plant species (M. oleifera and M. peregrina), four irrigation frequencies (7, 10, 15, and 20 days), and three Se levels (0.0, 12.5 and 25 mg/L foliar spray). M. peregrina showed slow emergence and plant establishment as compared to M. oleifera. The results indicated that plant height, leaves and stems fresh weight increased with the increase in Se level, and were highest when the two plant species were irrigated every 10 days which surpassed all other irrigation frequencies. The findings of this research study indicated that the two Moringa species, particularly M. oleifera could successfully be grown using drip irrigation at a 10-days irrigation frequency.

Investigation of the nephroprotective activity of Moringa peregrina leaves aqueous extract in mice

Traditional remedies for Moringa peregrina leaves have a variety of uses with confirmed biological and therapeutic effects, as per published reports. The current study aims to evaluate the ability of the leaves aqueous extract to protect from nephrotoxicity in gentamicin-treated mice. Phytochemical analysis for the aqueous extract was performed using DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay for antioxidants, Folin-Ciocalteu, AlCl3 and HPLC- MS/MS analysis, focusing on phenol and flavonoid content. The nephroprotective activity of the prepared extract was evaluated by means of variable biochemical parameters including Creatinine (Cr), Uric Acid (UA), and Urea (Ur). In addition, histological examination of renal tissues was performed in all mice groups (control, gentamicin-induced (150 mg/Kg i.p) and aqueous extract-orally treated groups (500 and 1000 mg/Kg)). Findings reveal that the prepared extract has total phenols (555.57±0.92mg/g, equivalent to gallic acid), flavonoids (40.08±1.56 mg/g, equivalent to quercetin), and DPPH IC50 (3.10 µg/ml). HPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of 10 phenols and flavonoids compounds. In vivo studies showed a significant (P < 0.05) reducing effect for the high-dose treatment, on serum and urine concentrations for UA, Cr, and U, among the nephrotoxicity induced mice. Low-dose treated group showed significant reduction on serum concentration of UA, Cr and U, but only for Cr concentration in urine. The histological examination showed an improvement in the image of the renal tissue among the induced-nephrotoxicity mice, which was treated with high-dose extract. In conclusion, leaves aqueous extract of M. peregrina have shown potential protective effect to counteract some of the gentamicin consequences on kidney functions.

Biotechnological Advances in Pharmacognosy and In Vitro Manipulation of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb

Trees are vital resources for economic, environmental, and industrial growth, supporting human life directly or indirectly through a wide variety of therapeutic compounds, commodities, and ecological services. Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. (Fabaceae) is one of the most valuable multipurpose forest trees in India and Sri Lanka, as it is cultivated for quality wood as well as pharmaceutically bioactive compounds, especially from the stem bark and heartwood. However, propagation of the tree in natural conditions is difficult due to the low percentage of seed germination coupled with overexploitation of this species for its excellent multipurpose properties. This overexploitation has ultimately led to the inclusion of P. marsupium on the list of endangered plant species. However, recent developments in plant biotechnology may offer a solution to the overuse of such valuable species if such advances are accompanied by technology transfer in the developing world. Specifically, techniques in micropropagation, genetic manipulation, DNA barcoding, drug extraction, delivery, and targeting as well as standardization, are of substantial concern. To date, there are no comprehensive and detailed reviews of P. marsupium in terms of biotechnological research developments, specifically pharmacognosy, pharmacology, tissue culture, authentication of genuine species, and basic gene transfer studies. Thus, the present review attempts to present a comprehensive overview of the biotechnological studies centered on this species and some of the recent novel approaches for its genetic improvement.

Optimization of growth regulators on in vitro propagation of Moringa stenopetala from shoot explants

Background

Moringa stenopetala belongs to the flowering family Moringaceae and genus Moringa. It is often referred to as the East African Moringa tree because it is native only to southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. The expansion of its cultivation and utilization throughout the world especially in Africa is becoming important. For such expansion, the existing propagation method is limiting, so it needs a good propagation system to supply enough planting material with a uniform genotype. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to optimize an in vitro shoot multiplication protocol for M. stenopetala by using shoot tip as explants.

Results

Shoots were sterilized and cultured on Muraghige and Skoog (MS) medium for in vitro shoot initiation. For multiple shoot induction, the explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of kinetin (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mg/L) with Indole-3- butyric acid (IBA) or α -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mg/L) and maintained at 25 ± 2 °C for four weeks. Rooting was achieved by culturing well developed shoots in half-strength MS medium containing IBA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L), NAA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L), and 0.5 mg/L IBA with NAA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L). Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference among all treatments applied in both shoot multiplication and rooting experiments. The maximum number of shoots per explant (3.43 ± 1.41) and 7.97 ± 4.18 leaves per explant were obtained on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L kinetin with 0.01 mg/LNAA. The highest mean number of roots per shoot (1.63 ± 1.03) and mean root length (0.87 ± 1.22 cm) were obtained on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/LNAA and 0.1 mg/LIBA alone respectively. After acclimatization, 76% of plants were survived in the greenhouse.

Conclusion

In general, using NAA with kinetin for shoot multiplication was effective than kinetin with IBA. On the other hand, the application of 1.0 mg/L NAA alone and 1.0 mg/L NAA with 0.5 mg/L IBA were more effective for root induction.

In Vitro Regeneration and ISSR-Based Genetic Fidelity Analysis of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth

Orthosiphon stamineus has been widely used as traditional remedy for various illnesses and diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and epileptic seizures. In this study, direct regeneration through nodal segment of this species was attempted using Kinetin (6-Furfurylaminopurine) and IAA (indole-3-acetic acid). Optimum regeneration media was identified as MS media supplemented with 2.0 mg L−1 Kin plus 0.5 mg L−1 IAA. This yielded the highest number of shoots (5.57 ± 0.42) and leaves (20.53 ± 1.91) per explant. Acclimatization of the resulting in vitro regenerants was successful in all potting mixtures tested. However, potting mixture PF (1:1:1 ratio of black soil/red soil/compost) was identified as the best medium for acclimatization of this species, as it yielded 100% survival percentage after 90 days of acclimatization. Ten in vitro regenerants of O. stamineus were randomly collected after the third subculture and subjected to genetic variation analysis using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Out of 20 ISSR markers tested, 10 working primers were observed to produce satisfactory amplification of bands, with an average of 7.11 bands per primer. A total of 610 bands were produced by the 10 primers. The percentage of polymorphism was observed to be very low, yielding only 7.32% polymorphism among all samples. Jaccard dissimilarity analysis was also conducted and very low genetic distance (about 0.1) was found among the in vitro regenerants and between the regenerants with the mother plant, thus ascertaining the clonal nature of the plantlets produced in this study.

The effect of silver nitrate on micropropagation of Moringa oleifera Lam. an important vegetable crop of tropics with substantial nutritional value

An improved micropropagation protocol facilitating continuous multiplication of elite germplasm of Moringa oleifera has been developed. Initial culture of nodal explant in MS medium supplemented with 2.5 µM BA resulted in the formation of 12.5 shoots per explant with high frequency of leaf fall (84.3%). To confirm whether the leaf fall is due to accumulation of ethylene in the culture vessel, effect of ethylene releasing agent CEPA in the medium was tested. In order to reduce leaf fall and improve multiplication, varying concentration of anti-ethylene agent, AgNO₃ was incorporated in the medium. Addition of 2.5 μM AgNO₃ in combination with 2.5 μM BA produced maximum number of shoots (17.6) including shoots originated from the base of the explant and shoots from the axillary buds of the primary shoots, where significant reduction in leaf fall (20.6%) was noticed. This enabled sustained multiplication of M. oleifera through continuous subculture without adversely affecting shoot number or shoot quality in terms of shoot length. Microshoots obtained from fourth subculture onwards were used for ex vitro rooting and found that by treating 50 µM NAA for 30 s, maximum numbers of microshoots (83.3%) were rooted. Rooted plants were acclimatized, survived and were successfully transferred to field. Genetic fidelity analysis using 10 ISSR primers revealed more than 95% monomorphic bands among plants raised in MS medium containing low concentration (2.5 µM) of AgNO₃ and BA (2.5 µM). The addition of AgNO₃ in the medium sustained in vitro growth and effectively prevented leaf fall compared to control, thus demonstrating efficient micropropagation of M. oleifera.

Role of activated charcoal and amino acids in developing an efficient regeneration system for foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.) using leaf base segments

An efficacious, reproducible direct in vitro regeneration system has been developed from leaf base segments (LBs) of six high yielding genotypes of foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) Beauv.). LBs excised from 4-day-old seedling were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different types and concentrations of cytokinins. The shoots induced per explant significantly increased with the supplementation of BAP to auxin containing medium. The results showed that a maximum shoot induction, 58.8% was obtained on MS medium incorporated with 8.9 µM BAP and 2.7 µM NAA in 'CO5' genotype. Further, the highest frequency of multiple shoots was produced on MS(I) medium containing 8.9 µM BAP, 2.7 µM NAA, 700 mg L^-1 proline, 0.5 mg L^-1 cysteine, 2.0 mg L^-1 glycine and 150 mg L^-1 arginine. MS(I) medium additionally fortified with 5.0 g L^-1 activated charcoal (AC) was found to achieve the best precocious plant regeneration. Elongated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS medium amended with 2.9 µM IAA and achieved maximum root number (8.7) within 10 days. Rooted plantlets were acclimated in soil with 92% survival rate. Molecular marker analysis of in vitro regenerated and field grown plants revealed no somaclonal variations. Briefly, amino acids and activated charcoal could significantly enhance the foxtail millet direct multiple shoot proliferation and plant regeneration. Here we report, a short-term, genotype independent, direct plant regeneration protocol for future genetic transformation studies in foxtail millet genotypes.

The Promise of Molecular and Genomic Techniques for Biodiversity Research and DNA Barcoding of the Arabian Peninsula Flora

The Arabian Peninsula is known to have a comprehensive and rich endowment of unique and genetically diverse plant genetic resources. Analysis and conservation of biological diversity is a crucial issue to the whole Arabian Peninsula. The rapid and accurate delimitation and identification of a species is crucial to genetic diversity analysis and the first critical step in the assessment of distribution, population abundance and threats related to a particular target species. During the last two decades, classical strategies of evaluating genetic variability, such as morphology and physiology, have been greatly complemented by phylogenetic, taxonomic, genetic diversity and breeding research molecular studies. At present, initiatives are taking place around the world to generate DNA barcode libraries for vascular plant flora and to make these data available in order to better understand, conserve and utilize biodiversity. The number of herbarium collection-based plant evolutionary genetics and genomics studies being conducted has been increasing worldwide. The herbaria provide a rich resource of already preserved and identified material, and these as well as freshly collected samples from the wild can be used for creating a reference DNA barcode library for the vascular plant flora of a region. This review discusses the main molecular and genomic techniques used in plant identification and biodiversity analysis. Hence, we highlight studies emphasizing various molecular techniques undertaken during the last 10 years to study the plant biodiversity of the Arabian Peninsula. Special emphasis on the role of DNA barcoding as a powerful tool for plant biodiversity analysis is provided, along with the crucial role of herbaria in creating a DNA barcode library.

Assessment of genetic fidelity of Fritillaria dagana (Liliaceae) regenerated plants using ISSR markers

ISSR analysis of Fritillaria dagana, endangered ornamental geophyte from the Sayan Mountains, regenerated through direct gemmogenesis from bulb scale tissue was performed. More informative electrophoresis profile with clear and distinct bands was obtained at amplification with (CAC)3GC primer at 56 °C annealing. The genetic fidelity of F.dagana regenerants to maternal plants was confirmed.

Integrating morphological characters, molecular markers, and distribution patterns to assess the identity of Blepharis species from Jordan

BACKGROUND

Blepharis constitutes an important part of the vegetation of the Jordanian arid and semi-arid regions, yet whether one or more species of this genus occurs in the Jordanian area is uncertain. We addressed this question by assessing morphological characters and testing Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers from three populations of Blepharis: two northern (lower slopes of Kufranjah valley and the Dead Sea region) and one southern (Wadi al Yutm).

RESULTS

Shoots from randomly chosen Blepharis plants were harvested from each of the three populations for morphological and molecular analyses. In the northern populations, spikes were lax and bract width was significantly shorter than length of the longest lateral spine compared to the southern population. A multivariate linear discriminant analysis distinguished the northern populations from the southern one by internode length, bract width, longest lateral spine length, and bract width to spine length ratio. The ISSR analysis revealed that 44 markers across eight primers were polymorphic with major allele frequency of 83.6% and an average of 5.5 polymorphic markers per primer. The genetic resemblance among individuals ranged from 0.27 to 0.96. The three Blepharis populations were accordingly clustered into two distinct groups, similar to the analysis of morphological differences and corresponding with the "northern" and "southern" population designations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results strongly indicate the occurrence of two discrete Blepharis species in Jordan and reject the hypothesis that the genus is represented by only one species. We propose that the Blepharis species in Jordan are B. attenutata Napper (represented by the northern populations) and B. ciliaris (L.) B. L. Burtt (represented by the southern population). These findings are important for informing and revising floristic work within the region and an updated key has been included in our findings.

Thidiazuron (TDZ) induced organogenesis and clonal fidelity studies in Haloxylon persicum (Bunge ex Boiss & Buhse): an endangered desert tree species

Haloxylon persicum (Bunge ex Boiss & Buhse), is one of the hardy woody desert shrubs, which is now endangered and/or nearing extinction. Urban landscape development and overgrazing are the major threats for the erosion of this important plant species. For conserving the species, it is critical to develop an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for rapid multiplication of large number of regenerants. Leaf explants, cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations of thidiazuron (TDZ) (0.5, 1, 2 µM), showed significant difference in bud sprouting and adventitious shoot induction. The highest shoot bud formation was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 µM TDZ. Shoot tip necrosis (STN), observed after first subculture of shoot buds in same medium, increased in severity with subculture time. Application of calcium (4 mM) and boron (0.1 mM) in combination with kinetin (10 µM) in the subculture medium significantly reduced the intensity of STN. On an average eight shoots/explant were produced by alleviating this problem. ISSR marker analysis revealed monomorphic banding pattern between progenies and parents, indicating the true to type nature of the clones and its parents.

Development of an efficient regeneration system for the precious and fast-growing timber tree Toona ciliata

Toona ciliata (Chinese mahogany) is an important timber species and secondary protected plant due to excessive exploitation in China. Here we developed a robust and efficient regeneration system for adventitious shoot induction using hypocotyl explants of T. ciliata. To facilitate plant growth, different regulators were added to Murashige-Skoog (MS) medium (0.5 mg/l 6-BA, 1.0 mg/l KT and 0.1 mg/l IBA). A regeneration frequency of 58.67% with four shoots per explant was achieved by horizontal setting of hypocotyls on MS medium and following a 20-day seeding period. MS medium supplemented with 0.3 mg/l 6-BA and 0.2 mg/l NAA was optimal for shoot multiplication and elongation, with a multiplication coefficient of 3.06. A rooting frequency of 93.33% was achieved using the half-strength MS containing 0.1 mg/l NAA. After acclimatization, plantlets were transplanted to sterilized nutrient soil containing a 2 : 1 ratio of vermiculate with 90% survival frequency. Thus, the regeneration system developed in this study would be useful for genetic transformation and other biotechnology endeavours in T. ciliata.

In vitro propagation, ex vitro rooting and leaf micromorphology of Bauhinia racemosa Lam.: a leguminous tree with medicinal values

A micropropagation system for Bauhinia racemosa Lam. was developed involving axillary shoot proliferation and ex vitro rooting using nodal explants obtained from mature tree. MS medium with 3.0 mg l^-1 BA (6-benzyladenine) was optimum for shoot bud induction. For shoot multiplication, mother explants were transferred repeatedly on medium containing low concentration of BA (0.75 mg l^-1). Number of shoots was increased up to two passages and decreased thereafter. Shoot multiplication was further enhanced on MS medium containing 0.25 mg l^-1 each of BA and Kin (Kinetin) with 0.1 mg l^-1 of NAA (α-naphthalene acetic acid). Addition of 0.004 mg l^-1 TDZ (thidiazuron) increased the rate of shoot multiplication and 21.81 ± 1.26 shoots per culture vessel were obtained. In vitro regenerated shoots were rooted under ex vitro conditions treated with 400 mg l^-1 IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) for 7 min on sterile soilrite. After successful hardening in greenhouse, ex vitro rooted plants were transferred to the field conditions with ≈85% of survival rate. Micromorphological changes were observed on leaf surface i.e. development of vein density and trichomes and stomatal appearance, when plants were subjected to environmental conditions. This is the first report on in vitro regeneration of B. racemosa from mature tree.

Quantitative analysis of the nutritional components in leaves and seeds of the Persian Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori

Background:

Moringa peregrina (M. peregrina) is an important tropical tree recognized for its nutritional and medicinal properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional component in the leaves and seeds of the Persian M. peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori.

Materials and Methods:

The M. peregrina leaves and seeds of wild cultivated trees were collected from the areas of arid environment located in the South-East of the Iran. The leaves and seeds of M. peregrina were dried and grounded to a fine powder and kept in dark for the day of experiment. The acidic digested leaves and seeds were analyzed for Vitamins C and A, calcium, and potassium using atomic adsorption and flame emission spectrophotometer.

Results:

The analytical data revealed that the leaves and seeds of the Persian M. peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori contain sufficient amounts of Vitamin C: 83 ± 0.5 and 14 ± 0.6 mg/100 g/DW; and Vitamin A: 6.8 ± 0.7 and 24.8 ± 0.7 mg/100 g/DW, respectively. The elemental analysis in the leaves and seeds showed that the calcium content are 764.8 ± 1.6 and 1164.8 ± 43.4 mg/100 g/DW and for potassium content are 900.2 ± 14 and 572 ± 10 mg/100 g/DW, respectively.

Conclusions:

The nutritional characteristics of the Persian M. peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori, investigated in this study revealed that, daily use of leaves and seeds of this plant could significantly provide the recommended dietary allowance for the Vitamins C and A, and minerals, such as calcium and potassium.

Genetic diversity of Moringa peregrina species in Saudi Arabia with ITS sequences

The genus Moringa was the family of Moringaceae and Moringa oleifera and Moringa peregrina are the most famous species of Moringa. M. peregrina is widely grown in Saudi Arabia, Iran and India. Therefore, based on these reports, this study aimed to investigate the first systematic attempt to regulate the genetic diversity of the species M. peregrina in Saudi Arabian samples collected from several geographic locations using internal transcribed sequences. Genomic DNA was separated by CTAB extraction method and PCR was performed. Later on, DNA sequencing was performed for PCR products with ITS. In conclusion, the present study affords the first report on genetic stability of M. peregrina using ITS analysis in Saudi Arabia. Further studies are suggested in order to study in different regions.

Assessment of clonal fidelity of Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill "in vitro" plantlets by ISSR molecular markers

Tylophora indica Burm F. Merrill. is widely used against various diseases owing to the presence an array of medicinally important secondary metabolites. Its stem is bitter, stomachic, stimulates bile secretion, enriches the blood and cures diseases like diabetes, fever, flatulence, hypertension, jaundice, leucorrhoea, urinary disease and upper respiratory tract infection. It is neglected for tissue culture work because of deciduous nature of climbing shrub, facing problems for micropropagation. Hence, in vitro regeneration of complete plantlets was done through indirect organogenesis in Tylophora indica. Calli were produced from in vivo leaves of T. indica on MS medium supplemented with 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP: 2.0 mg l(-1)) and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA: 0.5 mg l(-1)). The multiple shoots (12.00 ± 1.50) emerged and elongated on MS medium fortified with Thidiazuron (TDZ: 0.1 mg l(-1)). They were rooted on half strength MS medium having IBA (0.5 mg l(-1)) (7.75 ± 0.25) after 20 days of sub-culturing followed by hardening and acclimatization. During indirect regeneration of plants, chances of somaclonal variations may arise. These variations should be identified to produce true to type plants. Plantlets raised through tissue culture were used to validate the clonal fidelity through Inter simple sequence repeat markers (ISSR). Clonal fidelity is a major consideration in commercial micropropagation using in vitro tissue culture methods. During the study, total 71 clear and distinct bands were produced using 6 primers. The banding pattern of each primer was uniform and comparable to mother plant and showed about 93% homology using un-weighted pair group method with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA). ISSR analysis confirmed the genetic stability of in vitro raised plants.