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Genetic potential of 20 cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties was evaluated against different levels of salinity stress under green house conditions in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during 2011-12. Plants were grown in polythene bags in CRD with three replications. Four NaCl concentrations (0, 100, 150 and 200 mM) were applied to the genotypes after one week of emergence of seedlings. Data on root length, shoot length, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight and fresh seedling weight were recorded. The results clearly indicated varying growth potential of seedlings of all varieties under low and high saline conditions. Based upon absolute data, varieties NIAB-78, MNH-554, and CIM-448 proved to be more tolerant than MS-94, RH-112 and MNH-147. Estimates of broad sense heritability appeared to be high under low and high salinity suggesting that salinity tolerance in cotton genetically controlled. Superiority in salt tolerance of NIAB-78, MNH-554 and CIM-448 may be attributed to low uptake of Na+ and greater K+/Na+ ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was conducted on 9 advanced linseed genotypes (LS-9, LS-10, LS-21, LS-22, LS-23, LS-37, LS-38, LS-39, LS-42 (Linum usitatissimum L.) and a check variety Chandni for genetic evaluation at NARC, Islamabad, Pakistan under Oilseeds Research Programme. These genotypes were sown in RCBD with three replications during rabi 2011-12 at research area. At maturity stage data of ten different yield and its related parameters were recorded. Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance indicated that genotypic mean squares were highly significant for all the traits. Phenotypic variance was greater than genotypic variance that indicates influence of environment on the traits under study. Heritability estimate values ranged from 0.51% for oil content to 0.99% for days to flower initiation. Heritability estimates for different characters were found maximum (0.99) for days to flower initiation followed by days to maturity (0.96), 1000 seed weight (0.96), seed yield/plot (0.94) and days to flower completion (0.92). High heritability estimates indicated that improvement could be made through selection. Maximum relative expected genetic advance was recorded for seed yield/plot (22.75%) followed by number of primary branches/plant (20.10%). Genetic advance as percent of mean was calculated highest (22.75) for seed yield/plot followed by number of primary branches/plant (20.10) and number of capsules/plant (17.39). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]