Genetic Diversity Using SSR Markers & Growth Regulator Response in Biofield Treated Cotton

What is it about?

Cotton is the most important crop for the production of fiber that plays a key role in economic and social affairs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of biofield energy treatment on cotton seeds regarding its growth, germination of seedling, glutathione (GSH) concentration, indole acetic acid (IAA) content and DNA fingerprinting using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for polymorphism analysis. The seeds of cotton cv. Stoneville-2 (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was obtained from DNA Land Marks Inc., Canada and divided into two groups. One group was remained as untreated, while the other was subjected to Mr. Trivedi biofield energy and referred as treated sample. The growth-germination of cotton seedling data showed higher germination (82%) in biofield treated seeds as compared to the control (68%). The alterations in length of shoot and root of cotton seedling was reported in the treated sample with respect to untreated seeds. However, the endogenous level of GSH in the leaves of treated cotton was increased by 27.68% as compared to the untreated sample, which may suggest an improved immunity of cotton plant. Further, the plant growth regulatory constituent i.e. IAA concentration was increased by 7.39%, as compared with the control. Besides, the DNA fingerprinting data, showed polymorphism (4%) between treated and untreated samples of cotton. The overall results suggest that the biofield energy treatment on cotton seeds, results in improved overall growth of plant, increase germination rate, GSH and IAA concentration were increased. The study assumed that biofield energy treatment on cotton seeds would be more useful for the production of cotton fiber.

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Why is it important?

The cotton genus has more than 50 species reported worldwide in arid, semi-arid regions. It is indigenous to the tropic and subtropics regions [1]. Cotton is regarded as a vital source of seed oil and protein meal and is the major cash crop in the World. Cotton (Gossypium spp.), belongs to family Malvaceae, and is among the most important non-food crops, which occupies a significant position from both agricultural and manufacturing sectors points of view. It is the major source of one of the basic human need i.e. clothing apart from the other fiber sources viz. jute, silk and synthetics. Hence, it is one among the most cultivated and traded commodities in the World. Countries such as USA, China, Sudan, Egypt, Australia and India are the major producers of cotton. Cotton industry throughout the world has wide economic market of about $500 billion per year [2]. Apart from its economic importance, cotton has been regarded as the standard experimental model system to study polyploidization, cell elongation, cellulose, and cell wall biosynthesis [3, 4]. However, it is the only common plant, which yields single-celled fibers [3]. To promote the growth, development, and yield of agricultural crops, plant hormones plays a major role [5]. Indole-3-acetic acid (an auxin), is an endogenous phytohormone, mainly produced in the meristemic tissues of root apices, stem, and young developing leaves [6], and plays an important role in growth and development of root [7]. Multiple roles of glutathione in plant metabolism have been reported such as signaling of sulfur status, heavy metal tolerance, pathogen response, resistance to xenobiotics, and antioxidative defense and redox control [8]. The level of growth hormones, seed variety, use of pesticides, environmental factors, etc. plays a major role in final yield of the cotton. Recent reports from textile industry states the deficiencies in the quality of cotton, which include poor seed inputs, poor fiber attributes, rapid deterioration of fiber quality, wide range of contaminants, poor soil and rain-fed situations, etc. These all factors contributes to poor yield and increases the cost of cultivation [9]. Despite of several advances in agricultural sciences, some safe and natural approach is still required to improve the agricultural crops yield. In search of some cost effective and safe approach, authors studied the impact of biofield energy treatment on cotton seeds in terms of overall growth and yield of cotton. Biofield energy, the electromagnetic field/energy that permeates and surrounds the living organisms is reported to have the capacity to improve the germination rate, enhance the biochemical markers and improved other agrochemical parameters [10, 11]. However, the energy can exists in various form such as kinetic, potential, electrical, magnetic, and nuclear, and human nervous system consist of chemical information in the form of electromagnetic signals. Biofield involves regulation of electromagnetic information, which regulating hemodynamics. Energy medicine is one of the complementary and alternate medicine (CAM). According to National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) and National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), energy therapy was reported to be very common among adults [12]. Biofield treatment on agricultural crops will be new and upcoming approach worldwide to improve the agricultural productivity. Mr. Mahendra Kumar Trivedi possesses unique biofield energy, which has been reported to alter the growth characteristics in the field of agricultural science research [13], and plant biotechnology [14]. Mr. Trivedi’s unique biofield treatment is also termed as The Trivedi Effect®. After considering the significant outcomes of biofield energy treatment, the study was designed to evaluate the impact of The Trivedi Effect® on cotton with respect to growth, yield, and genetic variability parameters (DNA fingerprinting) using standard molecular method.

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