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Drought is one of the major causes of limited crop production. The present study investigated the influence of drought stress on seed yield characteristics in twenty (10 Desi and 10 Kabuli) chickpea genotypes. RCB design with three replicates was used to carry out a field experiment with two humidity regimes (stressed and non-stressed). Significant differences were observed among genotypes for potential yield (YP) and stressed yield (YS) as well as for eight selection indices. There was significant and positive correlation of potential yield (YP) and stressed yield (YS) with MP, HM, GMP, and STI under both the environments, whilst yield showed significant negative correlation with TOL under rainfed condition and significant positive correlation with TOL under irrigated condition. The STI, K1STI, MP, GMP and PI indices exhibited strong correlation with YP, while YI showed strong correlation with YS; therefore, YS can discriminate drought tolerant genotypes with high grain yield under stress conditions. Genotype NKC-5-S-20 and NKC-5-S-17 showed highest TOL, STI and lowest YTI, Moreover they revealed greater yield under non-stress and stress conditions. So, these genotypes could be suggested for release as cultivars after multi location tests. The studied germplasm is highly variable and could be efficiently used in future chickpea breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nipping is considered to be the cause of increase in seed yield of chickpea. Whether, either morphs of chickpea (Desi & Kabuli) verify this statement or not, an experiment was carried out using twenty chickpea genotypes (11 Desi & 9 Kabuli) and two treatments (nipped, control). Two nippings were carried out with 20-25 days interval. Data analysis revealed highly significant differences among genotypes, treatments and genotype by nipping interaction for yield and yield attributing traits. Eight genotypes viz, NDC-4-20-3, NIFA-2005, Karak-2, SL-3-15, NKC-5-S-12, Karak-1, NDC-15-1 and SL-3-64 revealed positive response to nipping, which also provides green forage. Whereas, twelve genotypes including 3 Desi and 9 Kabuli genotypes showed disincline to nipping. It is concluded that nipping should not be practised without prior testing of its effect on genotypes. Moreover, Desi chickpea respond positively as compare to Kabuli chickpea. Seed yield plant-1 showed highly significant and positive genotypic and phenotypic correlation with secondary branches plant-1 (rg = 0.54,rp = 0.46), pods plant-1 (rg = 0.89,rp = 0.83), seeds pod-1 (rg = 0.58,rp = 54), biological yield plant-1 (rg = 0.97,rp = 0.92), 100-seed weight (rg = 0.52,rp = 0.53), suggesting these traits to be used as selection criteria for yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Identification of adaptable and stable genotypes is an important aspect of applied plant breeding which can insure sustainable crop production. Adaptability studies in cotton is an essential part of breeding for adequate evaluation of genotypes accomplished through environments (years/locations). Present studies were conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2010 and 2011 to evaluate adaptability of eight upland cotton genotypes through genotype by environment interaction (GEI). Genotype (G), environment (E) and GEI share in total sum of squares were also studied. Significant (p<0.01) differences were observed among genotypes, environments (years) and G × E interaction means for majority traits, which assured greater genetic variability among the genotypes due to their divergent genetic make-up, as well as environments. The contribution to total sum of squares regardless of trait revealed that environments (0.42 to 89.55%) and genotypes (5.02 to 46.21%) play principal role followed by genotype × environment (3.40 to 40.00%), while experimental error share was negligible (0.12 to 21.37%). Larger effects of environment in combination with genotypes persuade the plant growth and morphology. Based on two-year studies, genotype CIM-496 showed best performance for seed cotton and fiber yields and its contributing traits followed by cultivars CIM-554 and SLH-284. Seed cotton yield revealed significant positive correlation with majority traits. The above promising genotypes could be further explored for improvement in seed cotton and lint yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic potential and combining ability were studied in 6 × 6 F1 cross of Gossypium hirsutum L. at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Six parental genotypes (CIM-446, CIM-496, CIM-499, CIM-506, CIM-554 and CIM- 707) and their 30 F1 diallel progenies were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Significant (p<0.01) differences were observed among the genotypes for bolls per sympodia, bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant, lint % and lint index. F1 hybrids showed significant increase over parental means for all the traits. Mean squares due to GCA and SCA were highly significant for all the traits. The GCA mean squares were higher than SCA for majority traits which revealed that additive genes controlled the inheritance. Utilization of best general combiners (CIM-446 and CIM-554) as one of the parents produced promising F1 population (CIM-446 × CIM-554, CIM-446 × CIM-496 and CIM-506 × CIM-554) with desirable SCA and mean performance for yield and fiber traits. Therefore, high × low, low × high and in some cases high × high GCA parents showed best performance for majority traits. Correlation of seed cotton yield was significantly positive with yield related traits however, the association was negative with lint %. Additive gene action controlled the inheritance, and selection in above promising hybrids could be used in early segregating generations and in hybrid cotton production to enhance the seed cotton yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) germplasm, collected from diverse research centers of the world were characterized for nodulation (Nod[sup +] or Nod[sup -]) and evaluated for response to seed inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum in terms of number of nodules plant[sup -1] and seed yield plant[sup -1]. Forty three genotypes, procured from Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Peshawar, Gram Research Station (GRS) Karak and International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syria, showed nodulation (Nod[sup +]) while four genotypes, received from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India failed to produce any nodule (Nod[sup -]). Pooled analysis of variance for both the traits revealed highly significant differences among genotypes, interaction of genotypes with treatment and also between treatments (inoculated and un-inoculated/control). Inoculated genotypes exceeded control in treatment means both for nodules plant[sup -1] (10.86 and 7.86) and seed yield plant[sup -1] (15.1 g and 10.0 g). High heritability estimates for nodules plant[sup -1] (53.2) and seed yield plant[sup -1] (77.0) as well as low level of differences among PCV and GCV of both the traits showed that genotypes played more influential role in the expression of these characters. It is concluded that the studied germplasm could be successfully utilized in future breeding programs. Furthermore, Genotypes Karak-3 is recommended for general cultivation and NDC 5-S10 for crop rotation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The growing importance of maize has motivated researchers to focus on optimizing production technologies, such as tillage and fertilizer usage. To this end, a study was conducted in RCBD design using three tillage systems, namely deep tillage, traditional tillage, and minimum tillage, and two fertilizer levels (recommended and 50% increase over recommended NPK) on non-Hybrid C-20 and Hybrid FHY-399 varieties. Growth parameters were documented at maturity. The data showed that tillage methods had a major impact on plant growth and yield parameters, with the exception of number of cobs per plant, which was non-significant with maximum values in deep tillage. Fertilizer had a major impact on growth parameters, with the greatest effect occurring when the NPK fertilizer level was increased by 50% above the recommended level. The interaction between tillage methods and fertilizer levels was found to be statistically insignificant for maize growth except at 1000 grains per acre. The treatment combination of deep tillage + 50% increase over recommended NPK fertilizer level yielded the highest value of 1000-grain weight. Based on the findings, it is proposed that additional research be performed with no fertilizer, and a rate of fertilizer twice the recommended rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Soil micronutrient deficiency is a major factor in achieving the optimal yields of the crops. To find a possible solution for this deficiency is surveying the micronutrient status of soils at a specific site. Thus current research focused on variability of soil properties and indicated the spatial pattern of soil micronutrients in Sargodha district, Punjab, Pakistan. 40000 soil samples were collected through Random soil sampling to assess soil micronutrient status at a depth of 0-15cm.. Soil samples were analysed to measure the soil Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) by DTPA extraction method and quantified by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Hot-water soluble (HWS) Boron (B) was determined by spectrophotometer. In this study, properties of soil were investigated with the help of statistical and interpolation methods (Kriging). The available Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn and B ranged from 0.1 to 5 mg/kg, 0.2 to 10 mg/kg, 0.1 to 5 mg/kg, 0.2 to 10 mg/kg and 0.1 to 4.74 mg/kg, respectively, with mean value of 0.82 mg/kg, 4.9 mg/kg, 0.87 mg/kg, 4.04 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, respectively, with standard deviation 0.35, 1.9, 0.383, 1.8, and 0.14, respectively. Regarding "Poor" class out of 40,000 analysed samples, 13% samples were deficient in Zn, 0% in Cu, 43% in Fe, 2% in Mn, and 41% in B. Regarding "Marginal" category 63% samples were at marginal deficient/adequate in Zn, 14% in Cu, 0% in Fe, 87% in Mn, and 59% in B. Regarding "Adequate" category, 24% samples were at adequate level in Zn, 86% in Cu, 57% in Fe, 11% in Mn, and 0% in B. The alarming situation was appeared for B which demands immediate mitigating steps to cover up the deficiency and should be incorporated essentially in fertilizer recommendation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]