RESUMEN
Helicoverpa armigera (also known as gram pod borer) is a serious threat to chickpea production in the world. A set of 173 chickpea genotypes were evaluated for H. armigera resistance, including mean larval population (MLP), percentage pod damage (PPD), and pest resistance (PR) for 2 consecutive years (year 2020 and 2021). The same core set was also genotyped with 50K Axiom CicerSNP Array. The trait data and 50,000 single nucleotide polymorphism genotypic data were used together to work out marker-trait associations (MTAs) using different genome-wide association studies models. For MLP, a total of 53 MTAs were identified, including 25 MTAs in year 2020 and 28 MTAs in year 2021. A set of three MTAs was found common in both environments. For PPD, two MTAs in year 2020 and five MTAs in year 2021 were identified. A set of two MTAs were common in both environments. Similarly, for PR, only two MTAs common in both environments were identified. Interestingly, a common MTA (Affx_123255526) on chromosome 2 (Ca2) was found to be associated with all the three component traits (MLP, PPD, and PR) of pod borer resistance in chickpea. Further, we report key genes that encode SCAMPs (that facilitates the secretion of defense-related molecules), quinone oxidoreductase (enables the production of reactive oxygen species that promotes diapause of gram pod borer), and NB-LRR proteins that have been implicated in plant defense against H. armigera. The resistant chickpea genotypes, MTAs, and key genes reported in the present study may prove useful in the future for developing pod borer-resistant chickpea varieties.
RESUMEN
Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex sweet traditionally been used as home remedy for backaches, joint pain, colic, and rheumatism. The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic benefits of plant in an adjuvant-induced arthritis paradigm. Immune-mediated rheumatoid arthritis was developed by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paws of rats and the aqueous methanolic crude extract was administered. The animals were physically monitored for changes in paw edema size and arthritic score. Hematological parameters and systemic inflammatory indicators evaluated. Genetic expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1ß, IL-6), necrosis factor (NF-κB), and cyclooxygenase (COX-II) enzyme were studied using real-time qPCR. PGE2 levels in blood were quantified through Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). On the 14th day, Immunoglobulin E (IGE) exhibited a substantial decline in paw edema and arthritic score. At the doses of 500 mg/Kg (P ≤ .05) and 1000 mg/Kg (P ≤ .001), IGE significantly reduced TNF-α, interleukins, and COX-II mRNA expression. IGE significantly lowered the MDA levels at the doses of 500 and 1000 mg/Kg (13.18 ± .70 and 9.04 ± .26 µM/L respectively) as compared to arthritic control (30.82 ± 1.12 µM/L) group. IGE significantly improved the antioxidant enzyme activities of CAT and SOD (P ≤ .001) in treated animals. TNF-α, interleukins, and COX-II mRNA expression were also significantly reduced at the doses of 300 (P ≤ .05), 500 (P ≤ .01) and 1000 mg/Kg (P ≤ .001) which were expressed as fold changes. This study shows that Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex sweet has a strong potential to alleviate immune-mediated arthritis by lowering oxidative stress and downregulating the proinflammatory cytokines signaling mechanisms.
