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Knowledge about genetic composition of a character helps plant breeders to plan their breeding programs. Grain yield and related traits are very important in maize breeding programs. In our experiment four each of parents, F1s, F2s, BC1s and BC2s were evaluated at Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pirsabak, Nowshehra and Agriculture University Peshawar. The experimental material at both locations were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. In all crosses dominance gene action was found to be important in the inheritance of ear diameter, ear length, percent shelling and grain yield. Additive genetic effects were found negative and non-significant in all four crosses for percent shelling. Duplicate type of non-allelic interactions was observed for shelling percentage in all crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in cross, PS-1 × BD-1 and PS-2 × BD-1 for ear length. For grain yield both complementary and duplicate type of epistasis were observed. Additive genetic effects werefound significant with positive and negative magnitude in two crosses each. It is concluded that crosses, where dominant gene action was found predominant, should be effectively utilized in hybrid maize programs for improved grain yield and related traits.

The aim of study was to find the bio-potential of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) derived extract effect on weed density and early growth response of maize crop. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (CRD) with three replications. For experiment, soil was collected from weed infested field. The present results showed that parthenium derived extract at higher concentration (100%) greatly reduced weed density as well as also affect the maize growth i.e. chlorophyll content, leaf area, plant height, shoot biomass, root biomass. In addition, at lower concentration (25% and 50%) enhance maize chlorophyll content, leaf area, plant height, shoot biomass and effectively control weed density. The present study explained the bio potential of parthenium derived extract and play a key role in sustainable weed management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health and environmental problems arising from metals present in the aquatic ecosystem are very well known. The present study investigated toxicological effects of LC15 of metals such as copper, chromium, and lead for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h on hematological indices, RBC nucleus and cell morphology, and gill and muscle tissues of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Experimental dose concentrations of copper were 1.5, 1.4, 1.2, and 1 mgL−1. Similarly, dose concentrations of chromium were 25.5, 22.5, 20, and 18 mgL−1 while those of lead were 250, 235, 225, and 216 mgL−1, respectively. Maximum decrease in the concentration of Hb, RBCs, and monocytes was observed against chromium, while maximum increase in the concentration of lymphocytes was reported against lead. Abnormalities such as single and double micronuclei, deformed nucleus, nuclear shift, irregular nucleus, deformed cells, microcyte cells, and vacuolated and swollen cells were observed. Gill tissues absorbed maximum concentration of lead followed by chromium and copper. Muscle tissues also absorbed maximum concentration of lead followed by chromium and copper, respectively. Histological alterations such as epithelial lifting, interlamellar spaces, club gill filaments, gill bridging, curling filaments, swelling and fusion of cells, irregular cells, destruction of epithelial cells, cellular necrosis, and inflammatory cells were observed in gill tissues while inflammation and necrosis of muscle fibers, degeneration of muscle fibers, edema of muscle bundles, zig-zag of muscle fibers, and lesions were observed in muscle tissues of fish exposed with different doses of these heavy metals, indicating the toxicity of metals to aquatic fauna as well as to human being via food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As PCR methods have improved over the last 15 years, there has been an upsurge in the number of new DNA marker tools, which has allowed the generation of high-density molecular maps for all the key Brassica crop types. Biotechnology and molecular plant breeding have emerged as a significant tool for molecular understanding that led to a significant crop improvement in the Brassica napus species. Brassica napus possess a very complicated polyploidy-based genomics. The quantitative trait locus (QTL) is not sufficient to develop effective markers for trait introgression. In the coming years, the molecular marker techniques will be more effective to determine the whole genome impairing desired traits. Available genetic markers using the single-nucleotide sequence (SNP) technique and high-throughput sequencing are effective in determining the maps and genome polymorphisms amongst candidate genes and allele interactions. High-throughput sequencing and gene mapping techniques are involved in discovering new alleles and gene pairs, serving as a bridge between the gene map and genome evaluation. The decreasing cost for DNA sequencing will help in discovering full genome sequences with less resources and time. This review describes (1) the current use of integrated approaches, such as molecular marker technologies, to determine genome arrangements and interspecific outcomes combined with cost-effective genomes to increase the efficiency in prognostic breeding efforts. (2) It also focused on functional genomics, proteomics and field-based breeding practices to achieve insight into the genetics underlying both simple and complex traits in canola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about genetic composition of a character helps plant breeders to plan their breeding programs. Grain yield and related traits are very important in maize breeding programs. In our experiment four each of parents, F1s, F2s, BC1s and BC2s were evaluated at Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pirsabak, Nowshehra and Agriculture University Peshawar. The experimental material at both locations were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. In all crosses dominance gene action was found to be important in the inheritance of ear diameter, ear length, percent shelling and grain yield. Additive genetic effects were found negative and non-significant in all four crosses for percent shelling. Duplicate type of non-allelic interactions was observed for shelling percentage in all crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in cross, PS-1 x BD-1 and PS-2 x BD-1 for ear length. For grain yield both complementary and duplicate type of epistasis were observed. Additive genetic effects werefound significant with positive and negative magnitude in two crosses each. It is concluded that crosses, where dominant gene action was found predominant, should be effectively utilized in hybrid maize programs for improved grain yield and related traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the problem of slow and erratic emergence in okra, two experiments, i.e., laboratory and field were carried out during 2013. In the laboratory experiment, okra seeds were primed in PEG-8000 (polyethylene glycol) and Mannitol solutions (0, -0.4, -0.8, -1.2, -1.6, -2 and -2.4 Mpa osmotic potential) for 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours while dry seeds were used as control. Same primed seeds were used in the field experiment. Priming proved effective in improving percent germination and reducing the mean germination time (MGT) as compared to unprimed seeds. Priming agents, its osmotic potential and duration significantly affected germination percentage, which increased as osmotic potential lowered from 0 to -1.2 Mpa while further lowering osmotic potential to -1.6 Mpa and below adversely affected germination. Similarly, germination percentage significantly enhanced as priming duration increased from 6h to 12h but further increase in duration from 12h to 18h caused insignificant increase in germination percentage. Increase in priming duration beyond 18h, however, resulted in non-significant decrease in percent germination. Amongst priming agents, PEG gave better germination than Mannitol, however, priming agents were ineffective in lowering MGT. Increase in osmotic potential from -2.4 to 0 Mpa and duration from 6h to 24h caused significant reduction in MGT. Field experiment results showed significant improvement in yield from primed seeds as compared to unprimed seeds. Seeds primed with PEG gave significantly a higher yield than Mannitol. Maximum yield was observed at -1.2 Mpa osmotic potential. Like MGT, days to 50% emergence in the field were unaffected by priming agent but significantly affected by osmotic potential, reduction in days to 50% emergence occurred as osmotic potential increased from -2.4 to 0 Mpa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was carried out to examine nitrogen removal by weeds from nitrogen sources in wheat crop at the research farm of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during year 2014-15. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications was used for the experiment. There were seven treatments consisting of control (no fertilizer), basal dose of P and K fertilizer, basal dose of N from Urea, basal dose of N from FYM, basal dose of N from PM, basal dose of N from compost of FYM and basal dose of N from compost of PM. Results exhibited that N application significantly increased weeds fresh and dry biomass, N concentration and uptake over control, while N application had no significant effect on plant moisture content. Nitrogen applied at the rate of 120 kg ha-1 from urea significantly increased weed fresh and dry biomass by a maximum of 40.3 and 30.9%, respectively. Nitrogen applied at the rate of 120 kg ha-1 from compost of PM increased N concentration and uptake by a maximum of 43.1 and 78.8%, respectively. Weeds removed a maximum of 23.4 kg N ha-1 from wheat crop where basal dose of N was applied from compost of PM. Thus, it is suggested that proper weed control is very much crucial for maintaining soil fertility and improving crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess awareness, attitudes and opinions regarding bioethical issues among graduate students and faculty/researchers of universities in Lahore, Pakistan. Methodology: A questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was designed and sent to 700 students and faculty members/researchers of 14 academic departments/research institutions of seven universities in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS 16.0. Results: We obtained responses from 87% (614/700) participants. The sample populations appeared receptive to latest developments in science and technology; and were optimistic that such developments will have positive effect on their lives. On average almost 90% of the respondents were familiar with the term "bioethics"; 75.4% of the respondents desired that bioethics should be taught regularly in the classes. However, students of two important disciplines of knowledge i.e law and Islamic studies had awareness levels of only 43% and '0'% respectively regarding the term bioethics. A vast majority of the respondents were not satisfied with the state laws, policies, rules, regulations and institutions concerned with bioethical issues. The survey indicated that cloning (27.2%), abortion (24.6%) and organ donation (13.2%) are regarded as the most important bioethical issues, probably for specific reasons of the glamour attached to the technology, moral connotations and the hype created by media respectively. Conclusion: Educated youth in general have positive attitude towards S&T and its effect on their lives. Awareness level among students and faculty of life sciences is very high; however it is dismally low among students of Law and Islamic studies. The results of this survey does not necessarily mirror the awareness level, attitudes and opinions in the society at large since literacy level among the masses is low (57%) and prevalence of higher levels of education is even lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]