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Yam (Dioscorea spp.) anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum alatae, is the most devastating fungal disease of yam in West Africa, leading to 50%–90% of tuber yield losses in severe cases. In some instances, plants die without producing any tubers or each shoot may produce several small tubers before it dies if the disease strikes early. C. alatae affects all parts of the yam plant at all stages of development, including leaves, stems, tubers, and seeds of yams, and it is highly prevalent in the yam belt region and other yam-producing countries in the world. Traditional methods adopted by farmers to control the disease have not been very successful. Fungicides have also failed to provide long-lasting control. Although conventional breeding and genomics-assisted breeding have been used to develop some level of resistance to anthracnose in Dioscorea alata, the appearance of new and more virulent strains makes the development of improved varieties with broad-spectrum and durable resistance critical. These shortcomings, coupled with interspecific incompatibility, dioecy, polyploidy, poor flowering, and the long breeding cycle of the crop, have prompted researchers to explore biotechnological techniques to complement conventional breeding to speed up crop improvement. Modern biotechnological tools have the potential of producing fungus-resistant cultivars, thereby bypassing the natural bottlenecks of traditional breeding. This article reviews the existing biotechnological strategies and proposes several approaches that could be adopted to develop anthracnose-resistant yam varieties for improved food security in West Africa.
Valentine Otang Ntui; Edak Aniedi Uyoh; Effiom Eyo Ita; Aniedi‐Abasi Akpan Markson; Jaindra Nath Tripathi; Nkese Ime Okon; Mfon Okon Akpan; Julius Oyohosuho Phillip; Ebiamadon Andi Brisibe; Ene‐Obong Effiom Ene‐Obong; Leena Tripathi. Strategies to combat the problem of yam anthracnose disease: Status and prospects. Molecular Plant Pathology 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleValentine Otang Ntui, Edak Aniedi Uyoh, Effiom Eyo Ita, Aniedi‐Abasi Akpan Markson, Jaindra Nath Tripathi, Nkese Ime Okon, Mfon Okon Akpan, Julius Oyohosuho Phillip, Ebiamadon Andi Brisibe, Ene‐Obong Effiom Ene‐Obong, Leena Tripathi. Strategies to combat the problem of yam anthracnose disease: Status and prospects. Molecular Plant Pathology. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValentine Otang Ntui; Edak Aniedi Uyoh; Effiom Eyo Ita; Aniedi‐Abasi Akpan Markson; Jaindra Nath Tripathi; Nkese Ime Okon; Mfon Okon Akpan; Julius Oyohosuho Phillip; Ebiamadon Andi Brisibe; Ene‐Obong Effiom Ene‐Obong; Leena Tripathi. 2021. "Strategies to combat the problem of yam anthracnose disease: Status and prospects." Molecular Plant Pathology , no. : 1.
Banana (Musa spp.) is an important staple food crop and a source of income for resource‐poor farmers in more than 136 tropical and sub‐tropical countries with an annual production of 155 million tons (FAOSTAT, 2018). Many diseases severely constrain banana production, particularly where many pathogens co‐exist (Tripathi et al., 2020). Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm) is considered among the most destructive banana diseases in East and Central Africa (Tripathi et al., 2009). All the cultivated banana varieties are susceptible, and only the wild‐type progenitor, Musa balbisiana, is resistant to BXW disease (Tripathi et al., 2019). Overall economic losses from BXW were estimated at US$ 2‐8 billion over a decade. The use of disease‐resistant varieties is one of the most effective strategies to manage diseases. Recent advances in CRISPR/Cas‐based genome‐editing can accelerate banana improvement. The availability of reference genome‐sequences and the CRISPR/Cas9‐editing system has made it possible to develop disease‐resistant banana by precisely editing the endogenous genes (Ntui et al., 2020).
Jaindra N. Tripathi; Valentine O. Ntui; Trushar Shah; Leena Tripathi. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated editing of DMR6 orthologue in banana ( Musa spp.) confers enhanced resistance to bacterial disease. Plant Biotechnology Journal 2021, 19, 1291 -1293.
AMA StyleJaindra N. Tripathi, Valentine O. Ntui, Trushar Shah, Leena Tripathi. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated editing of DMR6 orthologue in banana ( Musa spp.) confers enhanced resistance to bacterial disease. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 2021; 19 (7):1291-1293.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaindra N. Tripathi; Valentine O. Ntui; Trushar Shah; Leena Tripathi. 2021. "CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated editing of DMR6 orthologue in banana ( Musa spp.) confers enhanced resistance to bacterial disease." Plant Biotechnology Journal 19, no. 7: 1291-1293.
The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa, is the sole insect vector of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the causal agent of banana bunchy top disease. The aphid acquires and transmits BBTV while feeding on infected banana plants. RNA interference (RNAi) enables the generation of pest and disease-resistant crops; however, its effectiveness relies on the identification of pivotal gene sequences to target and silence. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an essential enzyme responsible for the hydrolytic metabolism of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in animals. In this study, the AChE gene of the banana aphid was targeted for silencing by RNAi through transgenic expression of AChE dsRNA in banana and plantain plants. The efficacy of dsRNA was first assessed using an artificial feeding assay. In vitro aphid feeding on a diet containing 7.5% sucrose, and sulfate complexes of trace metals supported aphid growth and reproduction. When AChE dsRNA was included in the diet, a dose of 500 ng/μL was lethal to the aphids. Transgenic banana cv. Cavendish Williams and plantain cvs. Gonja Manjaya and Orishele expressing AChE dsRNA were regenerated and assessed for transgene integration and copy number. When aphids were maintained on elite transgenic events, there was a 67.8%, 46.7%, and 75.6% reduction in aphid populations growing on Cavendish Williams, Gonja Manjaya, and Orishele cultivars, respectively, compared to those raised on nontransgenic control plants. These results suggest that RNAi targeting an essential aphid gene could be a useful means of reducing both aphid infestation and potentially the spread of the disease they transmit.
Temitope Jekayinoluwa; Jaindra Tripathi; Benjamin Dugdale; George Obiero; Edward Muge; James Dale; Leena Tripathi. Transgenic Expression of dsRNA Targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase Gene in Banana and Plantain Reduces Aphid Populations. Plants 2021, 10, 613 .
AMA StyleTemitope Jekayinoluwa, Jaindra Tripathi, Benjamin Dugdale, George Obiero, Edward Muge, James Dale, Leena Tripathi. Transgenic Expression of dsRNA Targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase Gene in Banana and Plantain Reduces Aphid Populations. Plants. 2021; 10 (4):613.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTemitope Jekayinoluwa; Jaindra Tripathi; Benjamin Dugdale; George Obiero; Edward Muge; James Dale; Leena Tripathi. 2021. "Transgenic Expression of dsRNA Targeting the Pentalonia nigronervosa acetylcholinesterase Gene in Banana and Plantain Reduces Aphid Populations." Plants 10, no. 4: 613.
The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of cultivated bananas (Musa spp., order Zingiberales), primarily due to its role as a vector of Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the most severe viral disease of banana worldwide. Here, we generated a highly complete genome assembly of P. nigronervosa using a single PCR-free Illumina sequencing library. Using the same sequence data, we also generated complete genome assemblies of the P. nigronervosa symbiotic bacteria Buchnera aphidicola and Wolbachia. To improve our initial assembly of P. nigronervosa we developed a k-mer based deduplication pipeline to remove genomic scaffolds derived from the assembly of haplotigs (allelic variants assembled as separate scaffolds). To demonstrate the usefulness of this pipeline, we applied it to the recently generated assembly of the aphid Myzus cerasi, reducing the duplication of conserved BUSCO genes by 25%. Phylogenomic analysis of P. nigronervosa, our improved M. cerasi assembly, and seven previously published aphid genomes, spanning three aphid tribes and two subfamilies, reveals that P. nigronervosa falls within the tribe Macrosiphini, but is an outgroup to other Macrosiphini sequenced so far. As such, the genomic resources reported here will be useful for understanding both the evolution of Macrosphini and for the study of P. nigronervosa. Furthermore, our approach using low cost, high-quality, Illumina short-reads to generate complete genome assemblies of understudied aphid species will help to fill in genomic black spots in the diverse aphid tree of life.
Thomas C. Mathers; Sam T. Mugford; Saskia A. Hogenhout; Leena Tripathi. Genome Sequence of the Banana Aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Its Symbionts. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics 2020, 10, 4315 -4321.
AMA StyleThomas C. Mathers, Sam T. Mugford, Saskia A. Hogenhout, Leena Tripathi. Genome Sequence of the Banana Aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Its Symbionts. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics. 2020; 10 (12):4315-4321.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas C. Mathers; Sam T. Mugford; Saskia A. Hogenhout; Leena Tripathi. 2020. "Genome Sequence of the Banana Aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and Its Symbionts." G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics 10, no. 12: 4315-4321.
Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a multi‐species tuber crop providing food and income to millions of people worldwide, particularly in Africa (Price et al., 2016). The “yam belt” in West Africa, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, accounts for 92% of 72.6 million tons of global yam production (FAOSTAT 2018). Despite the economic importance, yam cultivation is plagued by several biotic and abiotic factors.
Easter D. Syombua; Zhengzhi Zhang; Jaindra N. Tripathi; Valentine O. Ntui; Minjeong Kang; Obiero O. George; Nguu K. Edward; Kan Wang; Bing Yang; Leena Tripathi. A CRISPR/Cas9‐based genome‐editing system for yam ( Dioscorea spp.). Plant Biotechnology Journal 2020, 19, 645 -647.
AMA StyleEaster D. Syombua, Zhengzhi Zhang, Jaindra N. Tripathi, Valentine O. Ntui, Minjeong Kang, Obiero O. George, Nguu K. Edward, Kan Wang, Bing Yang, Leena Tripathi. A CRISPR/Cas9‐based genome‐editing system for yam ( Dioscorea spp.). Plant Biotechnology Journal. 2020; 19 (4):645-647.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEaster D. Syombua; Zhengzhi Zhang; Jaindra N. Tripathi; Valentine O. Ntui; Minjeong Kang; Obiero O. George; Nguu K. Edward; Kan Wang; Bing Yang; Leena Tripathi. 2020. "A CRISPR/Cas9‐based genome‐editing system for yam ( Dioscorea spp.)." Plant Biotechnology Journal 19, no. 4: 645-647.
Banana production is severely constrained by many pathogens and pests, particularly where a number of them are co-existing. The use of disease-resistant banana varieties is one of the most effective ways to mitigate the negative impacts of pathogens on banana production. Recent advances in new breeding techniques have the potential to accelerate breeding of banana for disease resistance. The CRISPR/Cas9 based genome editing has emerged as the most powerful tool for crop improvement due to its capability of creating precise alterations in plant genome and trait stacking through multiplexing. Recently, the robust CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of banana has been established, which can be applied for developing disease-resistant varieties. This article presents a synopsis of recent advancements and perspectives on the application of genome editing for generating disease-resistant banana varieties. It also summarizes the current status of regulatory requirements for the release of genome-edited crop varieties among different countries.
Leena Tripathi; Valentine O Ntui; Jaindra N Tripathi. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of banana for disease resistance. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 2020, 56, 118 -126.
AMA StyleLeena Tripathi, Valentine O Ntui, Jaindra N Tripathi. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of banana for disease resistance. Current Opinion in Plant Biology. 2020; 56 ():118-126.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeena Tripathi; Valentine O Ntui; Jaindra N Tripathi. 2020. "CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing of banana for disease resistance." Current Opinion in Plant Biology 56, no. : 118-126.
Banana and plantain are among the foremost staple food crops providing food and livelihood to over 500 million people in tropical countries. Despite the importance, their production is hampered due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Plant tissue culture techniques such as somatic embryogenesis and genetic transformation offer a valuable tool for genetic improvement. Identification and quantification of phytochemicals found in banana and plantain are essential in optimizing in vitro activities for crop improvement. Total antioxidants, phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins were quantified in various explants obtained from the field, as well as in vitro plants of banana and plantain cultivars. The result showed genotypic variation in the phytochemicals of selected cultivars. The embryogenic cell suspensions were developed for three farmer-preferred plantain cultivars, Agbagba, Obino l’Ewai, and Orishele, using different MS and B5-based culture media. Both culture media supported the development of friable embryogenic calli (FEC), while MS culture media supported the proliferation of fine cell suspension in liquid culture media. The percentage of FEC generated for Agbagba, Obino l’Ewai, and Orishele were 22 ± 24%, 13 ± 28%, and 9 ± 16%, respectively. Cell suspensions produced from FECs were successfully transformed by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with reporter gene constructs and regenerated into whole plants.
Temitope Jekayinoluwa; Jaindra Nath Tripathi; George Obiero; Edward Muge; Leena Tripathi. Phytochemical Analysis and Establishment of Embryogenic Cell Suspension and Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation for Farmer Preferred Cultivars of West African Plantain (Musa spp.). Plants 2020, 9, 789 .
AMA StyleTemitope Jekayinoluwa, Jaindra Nath Tripathi, George Obiero, Edward Muge, Leena Tripathi. Phytochemical Analysis and Establishment of Embryogenic Cell Suspension and Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation for Farmer Preferred Cultivars of West African Plantain (Musa spp.). Plants. 2020; 9 (6):789.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTemitope Jekayinoluwa; Jaindra Nath Tripathi; George Obiero; Edward Muge; Leena Tripathi. 2020. "Phytochemical Analysis and Establishment of Embryogenic Cell Suspension and Agrobacterium-mediated Transformation for Farmer Preferred Cultivars of West African Plantain (Musa spp.)." Plants 9, no. 6: 789.
The banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is a major pest of cultivated bananas (Musa spp., order Zingiberales), primarily due to its role as a vector of Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), the most severe viral disease of banana worldwide. Here, we generated a highly complete genome assembly of P. nigronervosa using a single PCR-free Illumina sequencing library. Using the same sequence data, we also generated complete genome assemblies of the P. nigronervosa symbiotic bacteria Buchnera aphidicola and Wolbachia. To improve our initial assembly of P. nigronervos a we developed a k-mer based deduplication pipeline to remove genomic scaffolds derived from the assembly of haplotigs (allelic variants assembled as separate scaffolds). To demonstrate the usefulness of this pipeline, we applied it to the recently generated assembly of the aphid Myzus cerasi, reducing the duplication of conserved BUSCO genes by 25%. Phylogenomic analysis of P. nigronervos a, our improved M. cerasi assembly, and seven previously published aphid genomes, spanning three aphid tribes and two subfamilies, reveals that P. nigronervos a falls within the tribe Macrosiphini, but is an outgroup to other Macrosiphini sequenced so far. As such, the genomic resources reported here will be useful for understanding both the evolution of Macrosphini and for the study of P. nigronervosa. Furthermore, our approach using low cost, high-quality, Illumina short-reads to generate complete genome assemblies of understudied aphid species will help to fill in genomic black spots in the diverse aphid tree of life.
Thomas C. Mathers; Sam T. Mugford; Saskia Adriane T Hogenhout; Leena Tripathi. Genome sequence of the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its symbionts. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleThomas C. Mathers, Sam T. Mugford, Saskia Adriane T Hogenhout, Leena Tripathi. Genome sequence of the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its symbionts. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThomas C. Mathers; Sam T. Mugford; Saskia Adriane T Hogenhout; Leena Tripathi. 2020. "Genome sequence of the banana aphid, Pentalonia nigronervosa Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its symbionts." , no. : 1.
Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is one of the world’s invasive species. Banana aphid (Pentalonianigronervosa) is found in all banana producing areas and it is the insect pest known to transmit BBTV causing banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) in bananas and plantains (Musa spp.) and can cause a significant yield loss of up to 100% in severe cases. Controlling the spread of BBTD has been very challenging since there is no known endogenous gene in the Musa germplasm that could confer resistance to BBTV. Excessive dependence on insecticides for disease control is detrimental to the environment and off-target-organisms. The objective of this study was to use RNA interference (RNAi) targeting the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gene in banana aphid to develop resistance against aphids in farmer preferred plantain cultivars. This could help sustain smallholder farmers in areas where BBTD is an epidemic. To achieve this, plantain cultivars were initiated using plant tissue culture techniques and rapidly multiplied using Temporary Immersion Bioreactor. This was followed by generation of embryogenic cell suspension (ECS), Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of banana and plantain ECS using a RNAi plasmid construct and molecular characterization of putative transgenic lines. Agro-infected ECS of banana and plantain cultivars were regenerated on selective medium and produced several transgenic lines. Molecular characterization confirmed the presence of transgene in about 80% transgenic lines. Preliminary glasshouse screening of transgenic lines showed reduction in population of banana aphids in comparison to control non-transgenic plants. This is the first report on using RNAi targeting AChE gene for developing transgenic plantain that are resistant to banana aphids.
Temitope Jekayinoluwa; Jaindra Nath Tripathi; George Obiero; Edward Muge; James Dale; Leena Tripathi. Developing Plantain for Resistance to Banana Aphids by RNA Interference. Proceedings 2020, 36, 54 .
AMA StyleTemitope Jekayinoluwa, Jaindra Nath Tripathi, George Obiero, Edward Muge, James Dale, Leena Tripathi. Developing Plantain for Resistance to Banana Aphids by RNA Interference. Proceedings. 2020; 36 (1):54.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTemitope Jekayinoluwa; Jaindra Nath Tripathi; George Obiero; Edward Muge; James Dale; Leena Tripathi. 2020. "Developing Plantain for Resistance to Banana Aphids by RNA Interference." Proceedings 36, no. 1: 54.
Enset (Ensete ventricosum), also known as Ethiopian banana, is a food security crop for more than 20 million people in Ethiopia. As conventional breeding of enset is very challenging, genetic engineering is an alternative option to introduce important traits such as enhanced disease resistance and nutritional value. Genetic transformation and subsequent regeneration of transgenic enset has never been reported mainly due to challenges in developing transformation protocols for this tropical species. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation could be a practical tool for the genetic improvement of enset. However, the efficiency of the transformation system depends on several parameters such as plant regeneration, genotype, explant, selection agent and Agrobacterium strains. As a first step towards the development of transgenic enset, a simple and rapid plant regeneration system was developed using multiple buds as explants. Induction and proliferation of multiple buds from shoot tip explants was achieved on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5 and 10 mg/l of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), respectively. Shoots were regenerated from multiple buds on MS media containing 2 mg/l BAP and 0.2% activated charcoal. Based on the optimized regeneration protocol, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation method was developed using multiple buds as explants and the binary plasmid pCAMBIA2300-GFP containing the green florescent protein (gfp) reporter gene and neomycin phosphotransferase II (nptII) selection marker gene. Transgenic plantlets were obtained within 4 months at a frequency of about 1.25%. The transgenic lines were validated by PCR analysis using primers specific to the nptII gene. To obtain uniformly transformed plantlets, chimerism was diluted by subculturing and regenerating the transgenic shoots on a selective medium containing kanamycin (150 mg/l) for five cycles. The uniformity of the transgenic plants was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization and RT-PCR analyses on different tissues such as leaf, pseudostem and root of same transgenic plant. In the present study, we report a simple Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system for generating transgenic events of enset. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the stable transformation and regeneration of transgenic events of enset. The transformation system established in this study can be used for the generation of transgenic enset with important traits such as disease resistance.
Jonathan Matheka; Jaindra Tripathi; Ibsa Merga; Endale Gebre; Leena Tripathi. A simple and rapid protocol for the genetic transformation of Ensete ventricosum. Plant Methods 2019, 15, 1 -17.
AMA StyleJonathan Matheka, Jaindra Tripathi, Ibsa Merga, Endale Gebre, Leena Tripathi. A simple and rapid protocol for the genetic transformation of Ensete ventricosum. Plant Methods. 2019; 15 (1):1-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJonathan Matheka; Jaindra Tripathi; Ibsa Merga; Endale Gebre; Leena Tripathi. 2019. "A simple and rapid protocol for the genetic transformation of Ensete ventricosum." Plant Methods 15, no. 1: 1-17.
Banana Xanthomonas wilt disease, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum (Xcm), is a major threat to banana production in east Africa. All cultivated varieties of banana are susceptible to Xcm and only the progenitor species Musa balbisiana was found to be resistant. The molecular basis of susceptibility and resistance of banana genotypes to Xcm is currently unknown. Transcriptome analysis of disease resistant genotype Musa balbisiana and highly susceptible banana cultivar Pisang Awak challenged with Xcm was performed to understand the disease response. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was higher in Musa balbisiana in comparison to Pisang Awak. Genes associated with response to biotic stress were up-regulated in Musa balbisiana. The DEGs were further mapped to the biotic stress pathways. Our results suggested activation of both PAMP-triggered basal defense and disease resistance (R) protein-mediated defense in Musa balbisiana as early response to Xcm infection. This study reports the first comparative transcriptome profile of the susceptible and resistant genotype of banana during early infection with Xcm and provide insights on the defense mechanism in Musa balbisiana, which can be used for genetic improvement of commonly cultivated banana varieties.
Leena Tripathi; Jaindra Tripathi; Trushar Shah; Kariuki Samwel Muiruri; Manpreet Katari. Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Banana Progenitor Musa balbisiana against Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. Scientific Reports 2019, 9, 1 -17.
AMA StyleLeena Tripathi, Jaindra Tripathi, Trushar Shah, Kariuki Samwel Muiruri, Manpreet Katari. Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Banana Progenitor Musa balbisiana against Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum. Scientific Reports. 2019; 9 (1):1-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeena Tripathi; Jaindra Tripathi; Trushar Shah; Kariuki Samwel Muiruri; Manpreet Katari. 2019. "Molecular Basis of Disease Resistance in Banana Progenitor Musa balbisiana against Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum." Scientific Reports 9, no. 1: 1-17.
Banana is a major staple food crop feeding more than 500 million people in tropical and subtropical countries. Its production is largely constrained by diseases and pests in addition to other factors such as declining soil fertility, narrow genetic diversity in germplasm, and inadequate availability of clean planting material. The impact of climate change, particularly a rise in temperature and drought, is predicted to affect production adversely due to direct effect on plant agronomy and also influence on pathogens, pests, and their interactions with host plants. There is need to develop climate‐smart varieties of banana with multiple and durable resistance to combat abiotic stresses such as extreme temperature and drought, and biotic stresses such as pathogens and pests. Modern breeding tools, including genetic modification and genome editing, can be applied for the improvement of banana bypassing the natural bottlenecks of traditional breeding. Intensive efforts using genetic modification have been made to develop improved banana varieties with resistance to biotic stresses; however, these need to be coupled with tolerance to abiotic stresses. Genome editing, an emerging powerful tool, can be applied for developing sustainable solutions to adapt to climate change by resisting biotic and abiotic stresses. CRISPR/Cas9‐based genome editing has been lately established for banana, paving the way for functional genomics allowing identification of genes associated with stress‐tolerant traits, which could be used for the improvement of banana for adaptation to a changing climate. This article presents an overview of recent advancements and prospective on the application of genetic modification and genome editing for developing climate‐smart banana.
Leena Tripathi; Valentine Otang Ntui; Jaindra Nath Tripathi. Application of genetic modification and genome editing for developing climate‐smart banana. Food and Energy Security 2019, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleLeena Tripathi, Valentine Otang Ntui, Jaindra Nath Tripathi. Application of genetic modification and genome editing for developing climate‐smart banana. Food and Energy Security. 2019; 8 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeena Tripathi; Valentine Otang Ntui; Jaindra Nath Tripathi. 2019. "Application of genetic modification and genome editing for developing climate‐smart banana." Food and Energy Security 8, no. 4: 1.
Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is one of the Ethiopia’s indigenous sustainability crops supporting the livelihoods of about 20 million people, mainly in the densely populated South and Southwestern parts of the country. Enset serves as a food security crop for humans, animal feed, and source of fiber for the producers. The production of enset has been constrained by plant pests, diseases, and abiotic factors. Among these constraints, bacterial wilt disease has been the most important limiting factor for enset production since its outbreak five decades ago. There is no known bacterial wilt disease resistant genetic material in the enset genetic pool to transfer this trait to susceptible enset varieties through conventional breeding. Moreover, the absence of effective chemicals against the disease has left farmers without means to combat bacterial wilt for decades. Genetic engineering has been the alternative approach to develop disease resistant plant materials in other crops where traditional breeding tools are ineffective. This review discusses enset cultivation and recent developments addressing the control of bacterial wilt disease in enset and related crops like banana to help design effective strategies.
Ibsa Fite Merga; Leena Tripathi; Anne Kathrine Hvoslef-Eide; Endale Gebre. Application of Genetic Engineering for Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease of Enset, Ethiopia’s Sustainability Crop. Frontiers in Plant Science 2019, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleIbsa Fite Merga, Leena Tripathi, Anne Kathrine Hvoslef-Eide, Endale Gebre. Application of Genetic Engineering for Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease of Enset, Ethiopia’s Sustainability Crop. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2019; 10 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIbsa Fite Merga; Leena Tripathi; Anne Kathrine Hvoslef-Eide; Endale Gebre. 2019. "Application of Genetic Engineering for Control of Bacterial Wilt Disease of Enset, Ethiopia’s Sustainability Crop." Frontiers in Plant Science 10, no. : 1.
Presence of the integrated endogenous banana streak virus (eBSV) in the B genome of plantain (AAB) is a major challenge for breeding and dissemination of hybrids. As the eBSV activates into infectious viral particles under stress, the progenitor Musa balbisiana and its derivants, having at least one B genome, cannot be used as parents for crop improvement. Here, we report a strategy to inactivate the eBSV by editing the virus sequences. The regenerated genome-edited events of Gonja Manjaya showed mutations in the targeted sites with the potential to prevent proper transcription or/and translational into functional viral proteins. Seventy-five percent of the edited events remained asymptomatic in comparison to the non-edited control plants under water stress conditions, confirming inactivation of eBSV into infectious viral particles. This study paves the way for the improvement of B genome germplasm and its use in breeding programs to produce hybrids that can be globally disseminated. Jaindra Tirpathi et al. report a strategy for inactivating endogenous banana streak virus sequences in the plantain B genome using CRISPR/Cas9. They show that three-quarters of edited plants had no viral symptoms under stress conditions, providing an improved B genome germplasm for plantain and banana breeding.
Jaindra Tripathi; Valentine O. Ntui; Mily Ron; Samwel K. Muiruri; Anne Britt; Leena Tripathi. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of endogenous banana streak virus in the B genome of Musa spp. overcomes a major challenge in banana breeding. Communications Biology 2019, 2, 1 -11.
AMA StyleJaindra Tripathi, Valentine O. Ntui, Mily Ron, Samwel K. Muiruri, Anne Britt, Leena Tripathi. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of endogenous banana streak virus in the B genome of Musa spp. overcomes a major challenge in banana breeding. Communications Biology. 2019; 2 (1):1-11.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaindra Tripathi; Valentine O. Ntui; Mily Ron; Samwel K. Muiruri; Anne Britt; Leena Tripathi. 2019. "CRISPR/Cas9 editing of endogenous banana streak virus in the B genome of Musa spp. overcomes a major challenge in banana breeding." Communications Biology 2, no. 1: 1-11.
Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is an economically important staple food crop in Ethiopia, especially in the southern and southwestern regions. It is called “false banana” due to its resemblance to banana, but inability to produce any edible fruit. The crop is clonally propagated using field-grown suckers. This study reports the development of a robust regeneration technique to propagate large numbers of plantlets using corm discs containing intercalary meristematic tissues. Hundreds of shoot buds were induced from corm discs of enset cultivar ‘Bedadeti’ cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 1.5 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 0.216 mg L−1 zeatin, and 2 g L−1 activated charcoal. The shoot buds were regenerated into complete plantlets when transferred onto MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L−1 6-benzylaminopurine and 2 g L−1 activated charcoal. More than 100 plantlets were generated in 4 mo from corm discs isolated from a single in vitro mother plantlet. Well-rooted plantlets were acclimatized in soil with 100% success, and did not show any apparent phenotypic abnormalities under glasshouse conditions. This efficient regeneration system could be very useful for the rapid multiplication of clean pathogen-free planting material.
Jaindra Tripathi; Jonathan Matheka; Ibsa Merga; Endale Gebre; Leena Tripathi. Efficient regeneration system for rapid multiplication of clean planting material of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal 2017, 53, 624 -630.
AMA StyleJaindra Tripathi, Jonathan Matheka, Ibsa Merga, Endale Gebre, Leena Tripathi. Efficient regeneration system for rapid multiplication of clean planting material of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal. 2017; 53 (6):624-630.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJaindra Tripathi; Jonathan Matheka; Ibsa Merga; Endale Gebre; Leena Tripathi. 2017. "Efficient regeneration system for rapid multiplication of clean planting material of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman." In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Animal 53, no. 6: 624-630.
Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW) disease threatens banana production and food security throughout East Africa. Natural resistance is lacking among common cultivars. Genetically modified (GM) bananas resistant to BXW disease were developed by inserting the hypersensitive response-assisting protein (Hrap) or/and the plant ferredoxin-like protein (Pflp) gene(s) from sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum). Several of these GM banana events showed 100% resistance to BXW disease under field conditions in Uganda. The current study evaluated the potential allergenicity and toxicity of the expressed proteins HRAP and PFLP based on evaluation of published information on the history of safe use of the natural source of the proteins as well as established bioinformatics sequence comparison methods to known allergens (www.AllergenOnline.org and NCBI Protein) and toxins (NCBI Protein). The results did not identify potential risks of allergy and toxicity to either HRAP or PFLP proteins expressed in the GM bananas that might suggest potential health risks to humans. We recognize that additional tests including stability of these proteins in pepsin assay, nutrient analysis and possibly an acute rodent toxicity assay may be required by national regulatory authorities.
Yuan Jin; Richard E. Goodman; Afua O. Tetteh; Mei Lu; Leena Tripathi. Bioinformatics analysis to assess potential risks of allergenicity and toxicity of HRAP and PFLP proteins in genetically modified bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease. Food and Chemical Toxicology 2017, 109, 81 -89.
AMA StyleYuan Jin, Richard E. Goodman, Afua O. Tetteh, Mei Lu, Leena Tripathi. Bioinformatics analysis to assess potential risks of allergenicity and toxicity of HRAP and PFLP proteins in genetically modified bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2017; 109 ():81-89.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYuan Jin; Richard E. Goodman; Afua O. Tetteh; Mei Lu; Leena Tripathi. 2017. "Bioinformatics analysis to assess potential risks of allergenicity and toxicity of HRAP and PFLP proteins in genetically modified bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease." Food and Chemical Toxicology 109, no. : 81-89.
Cultivated bananas (Musa spp.) have undergone domestication patterns involving crosses of wild progenitors followed by long periods of clonal propagation. Majority of cultivated bananas are polyploids with different constitutive subgenomes and knowledge on phylogenies to their progenitors at the species and subspecies levels is essential. Here, the mitochondrial (NAD1) and nuclear (CENH3) markers were used to phylogenetically position cultivated banana genotypes to diploid progenitors. The CENH3 nuclear marker was used to identify a minimum representative haplotype number in polyploids and diploid bananas based on single nucleotide polymorphisms. The mitochondrial marker NAD1 was observed to be ideal in differentiating bananas of different genomic constitutions based on size of amplicons as well as sequence. The genotypes phylogenetically segregated based on the dominant genome; AAB genotypes grouped with AA and AAA, and the ABB together with BB. Both markers differentiated banana sections, but could not differentiate subspecies within the A genomic group. On the basis of CENH3 marker, a total of 13 haplotypes (five in both diploid and triploid, three in diploids, and rest unique to triploids) were identified from the genotypes tested. The presence of haplotypes, which were common in diploids and triploids, stipulate possibility of a shared ancestry in the genotypes involved in this study. Furthermore, the presence of multiple haplotypes in some diploid bananas indicates their being heterozygous. The haplotypes identified in this study are of importance because they can be used to check the level of homozygozity in breeding lines as well as to track segregation in progenies.
Kariuki Samwel Muiruri; Anne Britt; Nelson Onzere Amugune; Edward Nguu; Simon Chan; Leena Tripathi. Dominant Allele Phylogeny and Constitutive Subgenome Haplotype Inference in Bananas Using Mitochondrial and Nuclear Markers. Genome Biology and Evolution 2017, 9, 2510 -2521.
AMA StyleKariuki Samwel Muiruri, Anne Britt, Nelson Onzere Amugune, Edward Nguu, Simon Chan, Leena Tripathi. Dominant Allele Phylogeny and Constitutive Subgenome Haplotype Inference in Bananas Using Mitochondrial and Nuclear Markers. Genome Biology and Evolution. 2017; 9 (10):2510-2521.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKariuki Samwel Muiruri; Anne Britt; Nelson Onzere Amugune; Edward Nguu; Simon Chan; Leena Tripathi. 2017. "Dominant Allele Phylogeny and Constitutive Subgenome Haplotype Inference in Bananas Using Mitochondrial and Nuclear Markers." Genome Biology and Evolution 9, no. 10: 2510-2521.
Centromeres are specified by a centromere specific histone 3 (CENH3) protein, which exists in a complex environment, interacting with conserved proteins and rapidly evolving satellite DNA sequences. The interactions may become more challenging if multiple CENH3 versions are introduced into the zygote as this can affect post-zygotic mitosis and ultimately sexual reproduction. Here, we characterize CENH3 variant transcripts expressed in cultivated triploid and wild diploid progenitor bananas. We describe both splice- and allelic-[Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP)] variants and their effects on the predicted secondary structures of protein. Expressed CENH3 transcripts from six banana genotypes were characterized and clustered into three groups (MusaCENH -1A, MusaCENH -1B and MusaCENH -2) based on similarity. The CENH3 groups differed with SNPs as well as presence of indels resulting from retained and/or skipped exons. The CENH3 transcripts from different banana genotypes were spliced in either 7/6, 5/4 or 6/5 exons/introns. The 7/6 and the 5/4 exon/intron structures were found in both diploids and triploids, however 7/6 was most predominant. The 6/5 exon/introns structure was a result of failure of the 7/6 to splice correctly. The various transcripts obtained were predicted to encode highly variable N-terminal tails and a relatively conserved C-terminal histone fold domain (HFD). The SNPs were predicted in some cases to affect the secondary structure of protein by lengthening or shorting the affected domains. Sequencing of banana CENH3 transcripts predicts SNP variations that affect amino acid sequences and alternatively spliced transcripts. Most of these changes affect the N-terminal tail of CENH3.
Kariuki S. Muiruri; Anne Britt; Nelson O. Amugune; Edward K. Nguu; Simon Chan; Leena Tripathi. Expressed Centromere Specific Histone 3 (CENH3) Variants in Cultivated Triploid and Wild Diploid Bananas (Musa spp.). Frontiers in Plant Science 2017, 8, 1 .
AMA StyleKariuki S. Muiruri, Anne Britt, Nelson O. Amugune, Edward K. Nguu, Simon Chan, Leena Tripathi. Expressed Centromere Specific Histone 3 (CENH3) Variants in Cultivated Triploid and Wild Diploid Bananas (Musa spp.). Frontiers in Plant Science. 2017; 8 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKariuki S. Muiruri; Anne Britt; Nelson O. Amugune; Edward K. Nguu; Simon Chan; Leena Tripathi. 2017. "Expressed Centromere Specific Histone 3 (CENH3) Variants in Cultivated Triploid and Wild Diploid Bananas (Musa spp.)." Frontiers in Plant Science 8, no. : 1.
Banana is an important staple food crop feeding more than 100 million Africans, but is subject to severe productivity constraints due to a range of pests and diseases. Banana Xanthomonas wilt caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. musacearum is capable of entirely destroying a plantation while nematodes can cause losses up to 50% and increase susceptibility to other pests and diseases. Development of improved varieties of banana is fundamental in order to tackle these challenges. However, the sterile nature of the crop and the lack of resistance in Musa germplasm make improvement by traditional breeding techniques either impossible or extremely slow. Recent developments using genetic engineering have begun to address these problems. Transgenic banana expressing sweet pepper Hrap and Pflp genes have demonstrated complete resistance against X. campestris pv. musacearum in the field. Transgenic plantains expressing a cysteine proteinase inhibitors and/or synthetic peptide showed enhanced resistance to a mixed species population of nematodes in the field. Here, we review the genetic engineering technologies which have potential to improve agriculture and food security in Africa.
Leena Tripathi; Howard Atkinson; Hugh Roderick; Jerome Kubiriba; Jaindra N. Tripathi. Genetically engineered bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease and nematodes. Food and Energy Security 2017, 6, 37 -47.
AMA StyleLeena Tripathi, Howard Atkinson, Hugh Roderick, Jerome Kubiriba, Jaindra N. Tripathi. Genetically engineered bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease and nematodes. Food and Energy Security. 2017; 6 (2):37-47.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeena Tripathi; Howard Atkinson; Hugh Roderick; Jerome Kubiriba; Jaindra N. Tripathi. 2017. "Genetically engineered bananas resistant to Xanthomonas wilt disease and nematodes." Food and Energy Security 6, no. 2: 37-47.
Banana and plantain are important staple crops for Africa and important fruit crops for Asia, Latin America and Caribbean islands. Several nematode species and rhizome weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) are major pests in banana that cause heavy damage and revenue loss. Pesticides and biocontrol agents control the pests, but pesticide residues pose severe environmental problems. Conventional breeding is a difficult and slow process due to the limited sources of resistance, sterility of cultivated banana varieties, polyploidy levels, long cropping cycle and the lack of rapid screening methods. Genetic engineering is considered as one of the eco-friendly and safer methods to control these pests. This review discusses the seriousness of the problem, the status and source of pest resistance and the mechanisms involved. The availability of various genes with potential to control nematodes and weevils is discussed. Further, current efforts and future prospects for identifying natural resistance genes and RNAi-based defences with potential to control nematode and banana weevil in a transgenic approach are outlined and discussed. Nematode-resistant transgenic banana cultivars expressing rice or maize cystatin genes and peptides evaluated under field conditions and those weevil-resistant cultivars developed using papaya cystatin gene with enhanced inhibitory potential are discussed in the light of biosafety concerns.
Hugh Roderick; Leena Tripathi; S. Poovarasan. Transgenic Approaches to Improve Resistance to Nematodes and Weevils. Banana: Genomics and Transgenic Approaches for Genetic Improvement 2016, 247 -260.
AMA StyleHugh Roderick, Leena Tripathi, S. Poovarasan. Transgenic Approaches to Improve Resistance to Nematodes and Weevils. Banana: Genomics and Transgenic Approaches for Genetic Improvement. 2016; ():247-260.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHugh Roderick; Leena Tripathi; S. Poovarasan. 2016. "Transgenic Approaches to Improve Resistance to Nematodes and Weevils." Banana: Genomics and Transgenic Approaches for Genetic Improvement , no. : 247-260.