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In cotton growing areas, short duration sunflower hybrids are desired. The sunflower hybrid ORISUN-675 was developed as short duration sunflower hybrid with better yield in 2016. ORISUN-675 was the outcome of hybridization between CMS line ORI-01 and a restorer line RL-72. The initial cross was attempted during 2016 at farm area of Oilseeds Research Institute, Faisalabad. Later on, this hybrid was tested at various levels like on station trial and multilocation trails for yield and stability evaluation and proved its worth against Hysun-33, NKS-278 and AGSUN-5264. The Station Yield Trial was conducted during 2017 at Oilseeds Research Institute, Faisalabad and Micro Yield Trial during 2018 at various locations in Punjab. National Uniform Sunflower Yield Trials were conducted during 2019 and 2020 at different ecological zones of Pakistan under the supervision of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. All yield trials showed outstanding results of ORISUN-675 in terms of yield and quality against check hybrids. Mean yield of sunflower hybrids showed that ORISUN-675 had the highest average seed yield of 2636 kg/ha under various locations with the highest seed yield of 3367 kg/ha at Rajanpur district followed by the district D.I. Khan with the seed yield of 3248 kg/ha. It also showed good results against disease infestation and attack of insect pests. It has a very good oil quality with excellent ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Stability studies at various locations of Pakistan also showed the worth of this hybrid. Moreover, this hybrid showed very good results at southern Punjab (Cotton zone) which makes it suitable for cotton sunflower cotton cropping scheme. On the basis of yield and stability evaluation, ORISUN-675 was recommended by the Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) during 2020 for general cultivation in whole Pakistan whereas it is approved by Punjab Seed Council (PSC) for general cultivation in Punjab during 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan developed the ever first variety of barley as Jau-17 in Pakistan. Barley variety performed best in a series of irrigated and rainfed yield trials conducted at Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad and outstation yield trials throughout the Punjab province during 2008-2019. In the yield trials for three consecutive years from Preliminary to Regular and Advanced Yield Trials, it had out-yielded the check variety Haider-93 by an average of 23.34% while in outstation yield trials throughout the Punjab province, it produced 11.40% higher grain yield than commercial check variety Haider-93. Jau-17 had medium to tall stature of about 99 to 110 cm length, growth habit was semi erect and had medium-length-awned ear which had yellowish white color. It took 90 to 100 days to complete heading and matured in 140 to 145 days with tillering capacity (154-160 per m²). The seed is amber in color with 1000-grain weight of upto 42 gram. For quality trait evaluation it had good quantity for protein (12 to 13.7%) and test weight (52.7 to 58 kg/hl) along with opaque seed surface. Its malt making quality was excellent for industrial uses. In 2019 Jau-17 was approved by Punjab Seed Council for general cultivation due to its superior performance over the years for better grain yield, resistance against rusts and nutrition quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycation generates advanced glycation end products (AGE) and its intermediates, thus increasing the risk of developing various ailments including diabetes mellitus. Current study was planned to explore the antioxidant and antiglycation potential of selected nuts viz, Juglans regia (Walnut), Prunus dulcis (Almond), Pistacia vera (Pistachio), and Arachis hypogaea (Peanut), locally available and readily consumed in Faisalabad, Pakistan, for their health‐promoting properties. The prepared methanolic extracts of selected nuts were tested for biological activities including the antioxidant and antiglycation potential. The effect of these extracts against oxidation and AGE formation was evaluated by in vitro method using bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐glucose system. Juglans regia, Pistacia vera, and Arachis hypogaea were found rich in phenolics and flavonoids contents with increased reducing potential and least IC50 due to the DPPH free radical scavenging inhibition. Dose‐ and time‐dependent inhibition of glucose‐induced advanced glycation end‐product (AGE) was exhibited by fruit extracts through in vitro bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐glucose system. Juglans regia and Pistacia vera were predominantly effective in the inhibition of early and intermediary glycation products at different incubation conditions. The study indicated that the extracts of selected nuts possess significant antioxidant capacity and are rich in phenolics and flavonoids, making them useful supplements as an important part of a balanced diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]