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Current study was designed to investigate the current susceptibility levels of field collected strains of T. granarium (Everts) from Punjab, Pakistan. T. granarium populations were collected from different areas of Punjab i.e., Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar and Faisalabad, were evaluated for their relative resistance or susceptibility in comparison to laboratory reared strain against pyrethroids. Filter paper impregnation method was used to assess the contact toxicity of pyrethroids (technical grade deltamethrin, α-cypermethrin, cypermethrin and bifenthrin) against 4th instar larval stage of T. granarium. Mortality responses were evaluated under constant temperature and relative humidity (r.h.) at 32 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5 r.h. respectively. Data was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment and completely randomized design (CRD) were used with four replications. Experiments were conducted in Grain Research Training and Storage management cell, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during year 2018–19. Bioassays showed that field collected strains were resistant to all test insecticides. Very low to moderate level of resistance was found in field strains. Bahawalpur strain showed highest resistance ratios of up-to 12.7, 18.9, 4.63 and 8.27 for deltamethrin, bifenthrin, α-cypermethrin and cypermethrin respectively, after 72 h of exposure to treatment. Bhakkar strain also showed moderate resistance following Bahawalpur strain. Lahore and Faisalabad collected strains were susceptible as compared to other field strains. In-vitro selection for deltamethrin revealed increase in resistance up-to 18.7 folds after selection for 7 generations by maintaining selection pressure at 80% mortality. Reversion in resistance occurred when strain was again reared for next 5 generations without insecticide exposure and resistance values decreased to 7.74 folds at G12. DR value for change in resistance was -0.07. The effectiveness of commonly used pyrethroids for the management of T. granarium was significantly reduced in the field populations exhibiting low to moderate resistance. Long-term use of insecticides with similar mode of action could be the reason for the development of resistance. Multi-tactical approach with integrated pest management (IPM) framework may prolong the effectiveness of pyrethroids in the T. granarium management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-nine accessions were collected from arid and semi-arid areas of Pakistan to explore adaptive components in red-grained wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Single-line selections of these accessions were grown on an arid and a control site; that is, Uchkera Farm (UF) and Botanical Garden (BG), Faisalabad. The accessions grown at BG exhibited significantly better biomass and grain yield production than those grown at UF. Accession Ck5 from Chakwal produced the maximum grain yield (17.7 g plant−1) at BG and Jm3 (8.1 g plant−1) at UF. Among the eight accessions selected for further anatomical studies, Dg2 showed increased yield per plant at UF, which was related to root modifications like increased cortical region thickness, endodermal cell area, vascular region thickness, metaxylem area, and root hair length. Stem modifications included increased vascular bundle area, phloem area and stomatal density, while leaves showed increased cuticle thickness, bulliform cell thickness, trichome density, and length. Increased stomatal density and area were also found. Accession Jm3 showed a decrease in yield at UF. Root modifications in Jm3 included increased epidermal cell area, sclerenchymatous thickness, endodermal cell area, and root hair length. Stem modifications in this accession included increased stem cellular region thickness and sclerenchymatous cell area. Leaves had increased abaxial epidermal cell area, trichome number and length, and abaxial stomatal density. In conclusion, morpho-anatomical characteristics varied greatly in the red-grained wheat accessions at both experimental sites that have potential for incorporation into breeding efforts for drought tolerance in modern wheat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research work was conducted for the evaluation of repellent and growth inhibitory potential of Azadirachta indica, Murraya koenigii, Nicotiana tobacum and Liquorice against Callosobruchus chinensis (L.). Each plant extract was tested with four concentrations viz; 5, 10, 15 & 20 % for bioassay experiments. Repellent potentials of acetone extract of the plants were evaluated by using the area preference method against the pulse beetle. The four dilutions of the extracted plant materials (extract) were used at one half of the filter papers (of each) while remaining halves were solely treated with acetone (used as control experimental unit) for the comparison purposes. Data regarding repellence were taken after 12, 24 and 48 hours of the post treatment. In repellency bioassay, the highest (93.32%) repellence of Callosobruchus chinensis was observed for which against 20% concentration of A. indica extract, whereas lowest repellence (78.87%) was recorded in case of Liquorice. Repellency values of 90.07% and 84.76% were recorded in extracts of M. koenigii and N. tobacum in Faisalabad strain. In case of Lahore strain highest repellence of C. chinensis was observed for which 95.16% at 20% concentration of A. indica extract was whereas relatively lowest value (82.04%) was recorded in case of Liquorice. Repellency values of 87.27% and 91.06% were recorded in extracts of M. koenigii and N. tobacum. The results regarding growth inhibitory effect revealed that highest mean progeny inhibition (78.12%) was noted at 20% dose rate of A. indica extracted plant material after longest exposure time (60 days). Comparatively lowest inhibition (28.21%) was noted after 30 days exposure period at 5% dilution of Liquorice extract in Faisalabad strain. Mean inhibition of progeny was found directly dependent on both time as well as concentration, applied. Results revealed that highest mean progeny inhibition (85.03%) was recorded at 20% concentration of A. indica extract after longest exposure time (60 days). Comparatively, lowest inhibition (35.18%) was recorded at 5% after 30 days of application of Nicotiana tobacum extract in Lahore strain. Hence, use of plant-based materials can be helpful for the ecofriendly management of the stored grains insect pests as a part of IPM program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are several enticing reasons to use genetic engineering to develop transgenic cotton plants with economically relevant new traits. The use of transgenic cotton to protect crops from biotic stressors like weeds may prove to be a cost-effective solution. The development of herbicide-resistant cotton variants is the primary motivation for gene transfer in this crop. In the current study, we conducted a battery of experiments on the herbicide-tolerant cotton variety MNH-786 to investigate its expression patterns and environmental adaptation. The 35S promoter controls the expression of the codon-optimized Cp4-EPSPS gene that is present in this variety. Several different molecular approaches, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Florescent In-Situ Hybridization analysis, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), are used to confirm the presence of transgenic cotton plants. The glyphosate spray assay was performed using molecular analysis, employing a dosage of 2000 ml per acre. The suitability of transgenic and non-transgenic cotton plants in four unique environments—the Multan, Vehari, Bahawalpur, and Faisalabad Districts of Punjab province, Pakistan was assessed using a comparative comparison. A gene x environment interaction (GEI) biplot was used to analyze the correlation between genes and their environments. Transgenic cotton plants screened using PCR to target 1.467 kb regions showed effective integration into cotton genomes. Results showed that Cp4-EPSPS proteins fluctuated and associated with environmental variables across all three generations (T0, T1, and T2). In the herbicide spray assay, all transgenic cotton plants survived, but non-transgenic cotton and all weeds died. According to the "which-won-where" polygon, transgenic cotton plant Events 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 performed better in three settings, except Faisalabad. According to correlation and heat-map yield research, transgenic cotton variety MNH-786 Events 4, 5 and 6 have a higher consistency and influence in Vehari district's natural habitats. Multan and Bahawalpur also show encouraging results. In Faisalabad, no transgenic events perform well. We conclude that Events 4 and 5 show a substantial abundance of genetic potential that is robust over a wide range of environments thanks to our thorough study of the outcomes obtained under these conditions. Our study emphasises the importance of transgenic cotton, its performance, and its exposure to appropriate agroecological zones. This knowledge can be advantageous for farmers in attaining optimal conditions to maximize productivity. • The study examined transgenic cotton's expression patterns and environmental adaptation through a series of experiments. • A comparative study evaluated the adaptability of transgenic cotton plants in four distinct locations in Punjab, Pakistan. • Herbicide tolerant protein levels varied and correlated with environmental variables in all three generations. • Transgenic cotton plants survived in herbicide spray test, while non-transgenic cotton and weeds perished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• High drought tolerance related to sclerenchyma in stem and bulliform cell development in leaves. • Drought tolerant ecotypes survival depends on dense pubescence. • No single character can be taken as a yard-stick for adjudging drought tolerance. • More drought tolerant ecotypes provide a base for re-vegetation of extreme desert conditions. Cenchrus ciliaris L. is a perennial palatable grass and is capable of growing in a variety of habitats including extreme desert environment. The present study was conducted to explore the effect of drought stress on morpho-anatomical modifications in the aerial parts of C. ciliaris ecotypes, which were collected from the Cholistan Desert. Seeds of C. ciliaris wre collected from different regions in the Cholistan desert and grown in the Faisalabad conditions. Stress treatment were applied to the ramets that were isolated from mother plants. Three moisture regimes were maintained during the experiment, i.e., 100%, 75% and 50% field capacity. Ecotypes were grouped into four categories i.e., highly tolerant, tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive. Highly tolerant ecotypes (E92001 and E92002) showed epidermal thickness in leaves and stem, intensive sclerification in stem, increased vascular bundle number, well developed bulliform, increased metaxylem area and decreased stomatal density on both leaf surfaces. Tolerant ecotypes (E92003 an E92008) showed dense pubescence on their leaves. It is concluded that no definite or precise single character can be taken as a yardstick for adjudging the biomass production in theses desert grass ecotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]