Modares Journal of Biotechnology

Abstract In this study, the genetic diversity of 10 different accessions of Andrographis paniculata was investigated using protein and SRAP markers. In the vegetative stage, protein and DNA were extracted from the leaves. The results of protein profile indicated a total of 20 bands with 64.15% polymorphism. To evaluate genetic diversity at the DNA level, 6 SRAP primers were used and a total of 583 scalable bands were observed. A total of 549 bands had polymorphism with an average of 91.5 for the studied primers. The highest polymorphism (99.12%) and the lowest polymorphism (84.21%) were observed in E1/M1 E2/M2 primers, respectively. Cluster analysis produced four main clusters. Genetic diversity indices were calculated for all gene loci, including the average genetic diversity of Nei’s (0.27) and the mean of Shannon’s index with a value of 0.41. High level of population differentiation (Gst = 0.79) and good level of gene flow (Nm = 1.3) were estimated between the grouped populations. Molecular analysis of variance showed that intra-population variance (58%) was higher than inter-population variance (42%). Overall, the results of study showed a high genetic diversity in both protein electrophoresis pattern and in polymorphic bands separated using SRAP markers with emphasis on the greater efficiency of SRAP markers than protein markers, which can be selected in parents with genetic distance. It is widely used to produce dispersing and mapping populations in hybridization programs and to breed or improve desirable traits, as well as to protect and manage the germplasm of this plant.

Abstract Rye is one of Iran's most important crops, known as Secale, belonging to the Poaceae. In this research, genetic diversity of 39 families of rye populations from different regions of Iran, the USA, and the Soviet :union: was evaluated with the ISSR marker. The results showed that 8 ISSR initiators produced 48 bands which included 18 polymorphic bands (37.5% polymorphism). The mean of polymorphic information content (PIC) and marker index value (MI) for ISSR primers was 0.15 and 7.2 respectively. The highest PIC (3.0) was related to primer 5+6 and the highest MI (0.96) reached for primer 1+6. After observing polymerase chain reaction products on an agarose gel and scoring DNA bands, the analysis was performed with NTSYS software. The cluster analysis dendrogram of UPGMA and Jaccard's similarity coefficient divided the rye populations into 9 groups, the results were compiled with grouping by principal component analysis. The results of analysis of Molecular Variance indicated an in-species variation more than inter-species variation. The mean Nei genetic variation (h) was 350 and the mean of Shannon index (I) in rye species was 523, which indicates a relatively good variety within species. The results showed that the ISSR marker was a useful tool in determining genetic variation of inter and intra specific of rye.

Abstract This study was conducted to assess genetic diversity among the 32 tall fescue half-sib families using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment in the four replicates. Based on analysis of variance, significant differences were observed among studied genotypes at the probability of 1% for plant height, canopy diameter, days to heading, days to pollination, crown diameter, fresh forage yield, dry forage yield, number of stem and seed yield in first harvest and in canopy diameter, crown diameter, fresh forage yield and dry forage yield in second harvest. Based on the results of mean comparisons, highest dry forage yield in the first harvest was obtained in genotype 32 by 758.5 grams. Principal component analysis by considering eigenvalues greater than one, caused to introduction of three components which determined 80.5% of the variation among the samples. In cluster analysis, the greatest of distinction between the groups was achieved with three clusters, and by cutting the dendrogram genotypes in three groups. According to the results, the third cluster was superior to other two clusters in terms of most traits. The genotypes of third cluster, according to the value of this cluster in terms of forage yield and seed yield will be of particular importance in breeding programs. In the breeding of cross-pollinated forage crops, success in selection depends on creating diversity by genetic recombination and achievement of heterosis. Due to the distance between groups 1 and 3, probably the most successful crosses will be achieved among genotypes of these two groups.

Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most cultivated crops worldwide, owing to its versatility and wide adaptability, and serves as food, animal feed, and raw material for various industrial products. The purpose of the current research was the classification of maize inbred lines in order to produce hybrid seeds based on agro-morphological traits. Each of 100 maize inbred lines was planted in 6 pots as 6 replications and arranged in completely randomized design in an open area near to greenhouse in 2015. The result of the analysis of variance revealed significant differences among lines for all studied traits. The highest correlation was seen between cob’s length and cob’s weight. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that 66.4% of seed yield per plant variation was determined by cob’s length and cob’s weight. Cluster analysis divided inbred lines into 4 groups. The highest Mahalanobis distance (28.07) was observed between cluster 2 and 4. The result of principal component analysis confirmed the calcification by cluster analysis. The genotypes from groups 2 and 4 can be potentially used as parental lines in hybrid varieties production and development of segregating populations.

Abstract Aims: The perennial grass is one of important grassland plants, which have special importance based on their feeding production, protection, and prevention of soil erosion. One of the important genera of the wheat family is the Agropyron. The aim of this study was to evaluate genetic variability in different accessions of Agropyron based on morphological traits.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental research, 31 populations belonging to the 3 species of the Agropyron were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications in research farm of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Northwest and West region of Iran. The cluster analysis was performed by SPSS 17, using Euclidean space and UPGMA and the principal components analysis was performed through trait correlation coefficient matrix and Minitab 14 software.
Findings:
The highest value of phenotypic coefficient of variation was seen in traits, including panicle length, fresh forage yield in the first cutting, and dry matter yield in the first cutting, respectively. In the second component, seed yield and crown diameter were the most important in explaining this component. There were significant differences between different populations in terms of morphological traits, so that for these traits, the various species in this genus could be separated. From a morphological point of view, there was a great similarity between A. cristatum and A. desertorum.
Conclusion: Different populations of A. elongatum species could be distinguished from the populations of the A. cristatum and A. desertorum in terms of morphological traits, while utilization of molecular markers is mandatory to segregate the populations of A. cristatum and A. desertorum from each other.

Abstract Aims: Wheat is one of the most important crops products in Iran. Considering the role of nanotechnology in the production of crops, the study of the effect of nanoparticles on its growth processes is very important. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of silver nanoparticles on germination characteristics of wheat in in vitro situation.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, germination characteristics of 10 wheat cultivars were performed in 4 concentrations including silver nanoparticles, 10000, 5000, 1000, and zero (Control) with 4 replications in factorial design based on completely randomized design. Root and shoots length, root to shoot ratio, germination rate, percentage of germination, time average and index of germination, daily mean germination, seedling emergence and, vigor index were measured. Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation as well as SPSS 18 and Excel 2013 were used to analyze the data.
Findings: All traits had a significant correlation with each other (p<0.01). There was a significant difference between cultivars and also between different concentrations of nanosilver for all traits (p<0.01). Major decomposition and cluster analysis showed the highest level of germination at the control and further at 1000 ppm level. Also, with increasing nanoparticle concentration, the germination characteristics also showed a significant decrease (p<0.01). Orom and Parsi were the best cultivars because of the highest value of germination characteristics.
Conclusion: High concentrations of silver nanoparticles have an effect on germinating characteristics and reducing their amounts. There are variations between the wheat cultivars for the studied characteristics. Orom and Parsi cultivars are superior to other cultivars.

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the genetic diversity and relationships between yield and related traits in oily sunflower lines. 152 sunflower lines collected from different parts of the world were investigated at completely randomized design with nine replications on Urmia University in 1391 under pot conditions. 14 agro-morphological traits including plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, head diameter, 100 seed weight, head dry weight, , seed yield per plant, number of days from planting to flowering, and number of days from planting to maturity, dehulled kernel to whole kernel and harvest index were measured. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all studied traits. Among the traits, the highest coefficient of phenotypic variation was observed for seed yield per plant (56.30), harvest index (44.4) and head dry weight (35.44). The results of correlation analysis showed that there is significant and positive correlation between seed yield per plant with most of the studied traits. Results of sequential path analysis revealed that the variables such as number of leaves, dehulled kernel to whole kernel, head diameter, and plant height were arranged as the first-order variables. Cluster analysis subdivided the genotypes into 4 groups. The maximum distance were observed between the genotype from groups 3 and 4 (28.30).

Abstract Plants infected by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi can tolerate and recover more rapidly from different biotic and abiotic stresses such as soil water deficits than uninfected plants. Thereby study of the dominant mycorrhiza species in the fields under drought stresses is very useful for increasing crop productivity in these conditions and promising for biological fertilizer production in the future. The objective of this research was to study the variations in morphological and molecular diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and identification of dominant AMF in wheat and barley fields of some arid and semi arid regions of Iran. For this purpose, about 66 samples containing root and rhizospher soils of wheat and barley plants were collected from some arid and semi arid regions of Iran (Isfahan, Tehran, Ghazvin, Arak, Tabriz). After trap culture of observed mycorrhiza in the samples, they were identified using morphological and molecular techniques. The ITS-rDNA of AMF in root DNA extracts of wheat and barley amplified with the primer pair LSU-Glom1/SSU-Glom1 as specific primer for AMF and ITS4/ITS5 as general primers in the first and second reactions of PCR (nested PCR), respectively. Aliquots of the positive second PCR products were cloned. Positive colonies were digested with Taq1. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns of digested samples were compared and 1-3 representatives of each pattern at each cloning reaction were sequenced. Morphological and molecular diversity of AMF showed that more than 90% AMF observed in the regions belong to genus Glomus which coordinates with morphological studies and followed by G. intraradices. Also these studies confirmed presence of following species in some regions: G. fasciculatum, G. geosporum, G. sinosum, G. constrictum, G. macrocarpum and Glomus sp. and Acaulospora (Acaulospora sp.). It is important to note that the species G. etunicatu and G. dimorphicum were not detected in the morphological studies and Glomus mosseae was the most dominant AMF species in the all studied regions.