Browsing by Author "Sudhakar Pandey"

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A novel insight into transcriptional and epigenetic regulation underlying sex expression and flower development in melon (Cucumis melo L.)
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2021) Mohd Aamir; Pradip Karmakar; Vinay Kumar Singh; Sarvesh Pratap Kashyap; Sudhakar Pandey; Binod Kumar Singh; Prabhakar Mohan Singh; Jagdish Singh
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an important cucurbit and has been considered as a model plant for studying sex determination. The four most common sexual morphotypes in melon are monoecious (A-G-M), gynoecious (−-ggM-), andromonoecious (A-G-mm), and hermaphrodite (--ggmm). Sex expression in melons is complex, as the genes and associated networks that govern the sex expression are not fully explored. Recently, RNA-seq transcriptomic profiling, ChIP-qPCR analysis integrated with gene ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways predicted the differentially expressed genes including sex-specific ACS and ACO genes, in regulating the sex-expression, phytohormonal cross-talk, signal transduction, and secondary metabolism in melons. Integration of transcriptional control through genetic interaction in between the ACS7, ACS11, and WIP1 in epistatic or hypostatic manner, along with the recruitment of H3K9ac and H3K27me3, epigenetically, overall determine sex expression. Alignment of protein sequences for establishing phylogenetic evolution, motif comparison, and protein–protein interaction supported the structural conservation while presence of the conserved hydrophilic and charged residues across the diverged evolutionary group predicted the functional conservation of the ACS protein. Presence of the putative cis-binding elements or DNA motifs, and its further comparison with DAP-seq-based cistrome and epicistrome of Arabidopsis, unraveled strong ancestry of melons with Arabidopsis. Motif comparison analysis also characterized putative genes and transcription factors involved in ethylene biosynthesis, signal transduction, and hormonal cross-talk related to sex expression. Overall, we have comprehensively reviewed research findings for a deeper insight into transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of sex expression and flower development in melons. © 2021 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society
Drought mediated physiological and molecular changes in muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.)
(Public Library of Science, 2019) Waquar Akhter Ansari; Neelam Atri; Javed Ahmad; Mohammad Irfan Qureshi; Bijendra Singh; Ram Kumar; Vandna Rai; Sudhakar Pandey
Water deficiency up to a certain level and duration leads to a stress condition called drought. It is a multi-dimensional stress causing alteration in the physiological, morphological, biochemical, and molecular traits in plants resulting in improper plant growth and development. Drought is one of the major abiotic stresses responsible for loss of crops including muskmelon (Cucumis melo. L). Muskmelon genotype SC-15, which exhibits high drought resistance as reported in our earlier reports, was exposed to deficient water condition and studied for alteration in physiological, molecular and proteomic profile changes in the leaves. Drought stress results in reduced net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration (E) rate. With expanded severity of drought, declination recorded in content of total chlorophyll and carotenoid while enhancement observed in phenol content indicating generation of oxidative stress. In contrary, activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and guaiacol (POD) were increased under drought stress. Peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) showed that drought increased the relative abundance of 38 spots while decreases10 spots of protein. The identified proteins belong to protein synthesis, photosynthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis, stress response, transcription regulation, metabolism, energy and DNA binding. A drought-induced MADSbox transcription factor was identified. The present findings indicate that under drought muskmelon elevates the abundance of defense proteins and suppresses catabolic proteins. The data obtained exhibits possible mechanisms adopted by muskmelon to counter the impacts of drought induced stress. © 2019 Ansari et al.
Genetic diversity in Indian cucumber based on microsatellite and morphological markers
(2013) Sudhakar Pandey; Waquar Akhter Ansari; Vinay Kumar Mishra; Asheesh Kumar Singh; Major Singh
Genetic variation among 44 cucumber accessions was assessed using morphological and SSR markers. High genetic variability was observed for days to 50% female flowering (37-46 days from sowing), number of fruits per plant (1.4-6.0), individual fruit weight (0.04-0.552kg) and root length (14.25-32.8cm). The pair-wise Jaccard similarity coefficient ranged between 0.25 and 0.85 indicating that the accessions represent genetically diverse populations. The allelic diversity of polymorphic markers ranged from 0.001 to 0.9396 with an average of 0.31 based on polymorphic information content. The clustering pattern of SSR markers was not in consonance with the groupings based on quantitative traits. The accession of Indian state i.e.; Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh were diverged from the accessions of other parts of India. The study provides information for future exploration and collection of cucumber germplasm in India and utilization of diverse germplasm for developing cultivars/hybrids for specific traits. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
Genetic diversity in Indian snapmelon (Cucumis melo var. momordica) accessions revealed by ISSR markers
(Southern Cross Publishing, 2015) Anil Kumar Singh; Sanjeev Kumar; Hemant Singh; Ved Prakash Rai; Brahma Deo Singh; Sudhakar Pandey
Snapmelon (Cucumis melo var. momordica) is native to India and many of its accessions have been used as source for disease and insect pest resistance, worldwide. Inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to evaluate intra-specific genetic diversity among twenty-two snapmelon accessions, variable for fruit cracking, peeling patterns, fruit shape, and flesh colour. Of the 32 ISSR markers tested, three produced monomorphic products, nine markers failed to amplify, and rest of the 20 markers produced 127 amplification products, of which 74 (58.38%) were polymorphic. Although the accessions varied greatly in terms of fruit traits, the pair-wise Jaccord's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.59 to 0.88, revealing a narrow diversity in the studied samples owing to dominant nature of the ISSR markers. The dendrogram prepared through unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) distinguished two main clusters, cluster I consisting of 8 accessions, while cluster II contained 14 accessions. UPGMA clustering was also supported by principal components analysis (PCA). The first three PCs contributed 21.1, 18.9, and 8.7% of the variation, respectively. The first three PCs contributed for 48.7% variation in the studied accessions. This study could provide useful information for Indian snapmelon germplasm management activities, leading to development of a core collection for use in breeding and conservation programs.
Genetic diversity in muskmelon based on SSR markers and morphological traits under well-watered and water-deficit condition
(Elsevier Ltd, 2020) Waquar Akhter Ansari; Neelam Atri; Luming Yang; Bijendra Singh; Sudhakar Pandey
In the present study genetic diversity among 48 muskmelon accessions was analyzed employing various morphological traits under well-watered and water-deficit condition and SSR markers. Maximum values for horticultural traits were, 44 cm for fruit polar circumference, 33.2 cm for fruit equatorial circumference, 21 for number of fruits, 41.5 for days to first male flowering, 44 for days to 50% male flowering, 44 days to first female flowering, 45 days to 50% female flowering and 5.66 for number of shoot branching under well-watered condition. While under water-deficit condition maximum values of same parameters were 28.8 cm, 26 cm, 18, 37.2, 39, 47, 46.2 and 4.4, respectively. Based on morphological traits genotypes were clustered in three major clusters under well-watered condition, while grouped in five major clusters under water-deficit condition. Out of the 52 SSR markers, 35 produced polymorphic patterns, a total of 125 amplification products were obtained, the mean number of alleles per locus was 3.57, and the size of amplified products ranged from 120 bp to 605 bp. The average PIC value was estimated to be 0.492. Jaccard similarity coefficients calculated from SSR data varied from 0.03 to 0.89 with a mean value of 0.46. The clustering pattern of muskmelon accessions based on SSR markers was random but not in consonance with the groupings based on quantitative traits under well-watered and water-deficit condition. High genetic variability was observed based on various morphological traits, under both well-watered and water-deficit condition and SSR markers, indicating genetically diverse accessions. © 2020
Impact of Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganism (PGPM) Consortium on Biochemical Properties and Yields of Tomato Under Drought Stress
(Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2024) Ram Krishna; Waquar Akhter Ansari; Mohammad Altaf; Durgesh Kumar Jaiswal; Sudhakar Pandey; Achuit Kumar Singh; Sudhir Kumar; Jay Prakash Verma
Drought is the most important abiotic stress that restricts the genetically predetermined yield potential of the crops. In the present study, four tomato varieties: Kashi Vishesh, Kashi Aman, Kashi Abhiman, and Kashi Amrit, were used to study the effect of PGPMs (plant growth-promoting microorganisms). PGPM strains, Bacillus megaterium BHUPSB14, Pseudomonas fluorescens BHUPSB06, Pseudomonas aeruginosa BHUPSB01, Pseudomonas putida BHUPSB0, Paenibacillus polymixa BHUPSB17, and Trichoderma horzianum, were used as the consortium. The control group was irrigated up to 80% of field capacity, while 7-, 14-, and 21-day water-deficit-exposed (DWD) plants’ pot soil moisture was maintained to 40, 25, and 15% of the field capacity, both with and without the PGPM inoculation condition. The physiological parameters, such as electrolyte leakage, relative water content, photosynthetic efficiency, and chlorophyll color index, were significantly improved by PGPM application under progressive drought stress, compared to the control. PGPM application enhanced the proline accumulation and reduced the formation of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation under drought stress. The plant growth attributes were significantly increased by PGPM application. The Kashi Amrit variety showed the highest fruit yield among the four varieties under all the treatments. The PGPM consortium application also improved the soil physico-biological properties and nutrient availability in the soil. The PGPM consortium used in this study can potentially mitigate drought stress on tomato in drought-prone regions and act as a biofertilizer. The present study will open a new avenue of drought stress management in tomato. © 2024 by the authors.
Inheritance of stem and leaf morphological traits in pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.)
(2008) Sanjeev Kumar; B.D. Singh; Sudhakar Pandey; D. Ram
The inheritance of five stem and leaf morphological characters was studied in progeny of a perennial dioecious species, Trichosanthes dioica from the female clone IIVRPG-102 pollinated by the male clone IIVRPG-M. Because mature seeds failed to germinate even after scarification, embryos from almost fully developed seeds were excised and cultured in vitro. Fifty-two plants were raised in a glasshouse, and segregation was observed for sex expression, stem shape (angular round), stem pubescence (pubescent smooth), tendril coiling (coiled uncoiled), tendril branching (branched unbranched), and leaf pubescence (smooth pubescent). There was a significant bias for female plants possibly due to lethal/sublethal gene(s) linked to the female determining locus. It is proposed that stem pubescence (sst), stem shape (rst), tendril coiling (stl), tendril branching (utl), and leaf pubescence (plf) are governed by a single gene each. We believe this to be the first such report in T. dioica.
'Kashi Madhu': A new muskmelon cultivar with high total soluble solids
(American Society for Horticultural Science, 2008) Sudhakar Pandey; Mathura Rai; H.C. Prasanna; G. Kalloo
'Kashi Madhu' (Cucumis melo L.) is a new muskmelon cultivar released for agroecological zone IV of India comprising the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Delhi, Punjab, and Bihar. The cultivar was developed through selection from a local landrace. Plants bear androemonoecious flowers, round and yellow fruits with prominent green sutures and orange flesh color. The fruits become ready for first harvest in ≈90 days from seed sowing. The fruits have a distinct flavor and higher total soluble solids as compared with other cultivars recommended for cultivation in India after evaluation under different agroecological zones of India under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops. The release of this cultivar was announced at the XIII meeting of Central Sub-committee on Crop Standard Notification and Release of Varieties for Horticultural Crops.
Metal–Organic Framework based on Functional Materials for Photocatalytic Degradation of Micro- and Nano-Plastic
(wiley, 2025) Vinita; Madhu Tiwari; Pravesh Kumar Yadav; Arun Pratap Verma; Chandrakala Singh; Sudhakar Pandey
Micro-plastics (MPs) and nano-plastics (NPs) are considered as ecotoxicological hazards due to their capability to collect and transport lethal metals, organic pollutants or medical products. Removing MPs and NPs from water remains a severe challenge that needs to be urgently solved. Therefore, it is necessary to explore smart functional materials for managing the MPs and NPs that pose a massive risk to organisms in the ecosystem. Metal–organic framework (MOF)-based materials have interpenetrated pore, uniformity and excellent durability, which can be employed the removal of MPs and NPs from water. This chapter explores several efficient MOFs for the photocatalytic degradation of MPs and NPs. It offers a vision in fabricating efficient heterojunction photocatalysts and converting micro- and nano-pollutants into value-added chemicals, coupled with clean energy production. © ISTE Ltd 2025.
SSR analysis for fruit and quality characters in infra-specific mapping population of melon
(Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 2015) Smita Singh; Sudhakar Pandey; Richa Raghuwanshi; Vikram Pandey; Major Singh
Melon has variations in fruit trait that play an important role in consumer acceptance and breeding programms. These traits are controlled by single or multiple genes. Keeping this in view a mapping population (F2:3) was developed between muskmelon (Cucumis melo var. Kashi Madhu) and snapmelon (Cucumis melo var. momordica accession B-159) having contrasting fruit traits. SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers selected from melon database were applied in F2 population. Linkage analysis was performed using Mapmaker/Exp.3.0, multi point ordering at LOD = 3.0, to find possible allelic interactions between the loci and fruit traits. The result showed five QTLs for fruit characters, viz. fruit length, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and ascorbic acid content was found to be significantly linked with markers CSWCT22A, CMMS1-7, CMCTN-86, CMBR-170b, CMBR-70, CMCT134b, CMBR73, CMGT-108, CMMS30-3 at marker interval from 56.5 cM to 153.3 cM with phenotypic variance of 5.9 to 69%, respectively. The study could be useful for the comparative genetics and increases utility of SSR markers across different populations and environment particularly Indian melons.
Standardization of screening technique and evaluation of muskmelon genotypes for drought tolerance
(Cambridge University Press, 2018) Sudhakar Pandey; Waquar Akhter Ansari; Neelam Atri; Bijendra Singh; Sunil Gupta; Kangila Venkataraman Bhat
A five-point drought stress screening methodology for muskmelon based on visual observation has been standardized by modifying an earlier field screening method. The scale (1 to 5), were categorized into five groups, namely, highly drought tolerant (1), drought tolerant (2), average drought tolerant (3), drought susceptible (4) and highly drought susceptible (5). To validate and standardized the technique, 48 genotypes of muskmelon were evaluated for two successive years. Important physiological parameters, i.e.: relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage, photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll concentration index (CCI), root and shoot length were measured and correlated to make screening results more reliable. Drought tolerance efficiency of genotypes was calculated based on yield, and drought-tolerant genotypes were identified with better yield efficiency and ranking on visual scale. Whereas, yield efficiency of some drought-tolerant genotypes were less, althouth they came under drought-tolerant scale. Being a tolerant genotype, these may not be economical for commercial cultivation. Under water-deficit condition a significant positive correlation was observed between drought tolerance efficiency, and RWC, Fv/Fm, CCI and root length. Out of 48 genotypes, 14 genotypes were came under highly drought-tolerant category based on 5 point scale. © Copyright NIAB 2016.