Why is it in the news?

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, have accomplished the groundbreaking task of genome sequencing for the jamun tree.

More about the news

• Jamun, scientifically known as Syzygium cumini, is esteemed in India for its medicinal properties, fruit quality, and ornamental value.
• Particularly recognized for its anti-diabetic properties, it holds a significant place in Ayurveda for treating various health ailments.
• The jamun genome exhibits an increased number of coding genes, a result of gene duplication. Gene duplication allows jamun to acquire novel functions, contributing to its unique characteristics.
• Presence of diverse metabolites in jamun responsible for its medicinal properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic attributes.
• Jamun possesses genes contributing to adaptive evolution, making the plant robust and enhancing stress tolerance such as damage-inducing weeds and insects, heat stress, salinity, and drought.