From leaf tissue samples, scientists from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal discovered that the entire genome sequencing of banyan and peepal had been completed.
Multiple Signs of Adaptive-evolution (MSA)
- Researchers found 23,929 coding gene sequences in peepal and 25,016 in banyan.
- Around 0.8 million years ago, both trees experienced a population decline, which resulted in the emergence of genes showing several evidence of adaptive evolution (MSA).
- The MSA genes have a major role in the development of the banyan’s roots, pollen tubes, seeds, leaves, cell wall synthesis, metabolism, and other developmental activities.
How MSA prolongs the life?
- The gene families for disease resistance and other stress tolerance showed strong expression and expansion, which helped explain the long longevity of the plants.
- The peepal’s MSA genes are involved in governing blooming time, metabolism, intracellular transport, seed and pollen tube growth, lateral organ development, and root cell elongation.
- The study focused on 19 MSA genes in peepal and 17 MSA genes in banyan, which are mostly connected to well-developed morphology and tolerance to infections, oxidative stress, and drought.
- Auxin signalling genes that control plant senescence and auxin signalling genes that control plant growth both exhibited evolutionary fingerprints.
- Additionally, in banyan and peepal trees, respectively, 88% and 89% of the MSA genes are linked to resistance to biotic and abiotic stress responses.
- As a result, these plants are better able to resist environmental obstacles.