POLLEN FLORA OF PAKISTAN–LVI. VALERIANACEAEANJUMABSTRACT:
Pollen morphology of 13 species representing 2 genera of the family Valerianaceae from Pakistan has been examined by light and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, mostly prolate-spheroidal to sub-prolate, often oblate-spheroidal rarely prolate. Tricolpate sexine thicker or thinner than nexine. Tectal surface mostly spinulose rarely scabrate or echinate. On the basis of exine ornamentation 3 distinct pollen types are recognized viz., Valeriana jatam...

CYPSELA MORPHOLOGY OF THE GENUS ANAPHALIS DC.(GNAPHALIEAE-ASTERACEAE) FROM PAKISTANABSTRACT:
Cypsela morphology of 17 taxa of the genus Anaphalis DC., was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. On the basis of cypsela surface all the taxa are divided into two main groups and most of the species are delimited due to their distinct micromorphological characters of cypsela....

HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES L.: FRUIT AND SEED MORPHOLOGY AND ITS TAXONOMIC PROBLEMS IN TURKEYABSTRACT:
Hippophae rhamnoides, which comprises of 9 subspecies, has an extremely wide distribution but fragmentally in Eurasia. H.rhamnoides L. subsp. caucasica is the only known species growing in Turkey. In this paper, morphological traits of seed and fruit considered as diagnostic characters of H.rhamnoides L. subsp. caucasica in Turkey (Sivas, Trabzon, Ilgaz, Ürgüp) were analyzed in order to show whether there is taxonomical problems and try to reconstruct the relationship among the taxon of differ...

MANGLIETIA PUBIPETALA (MAGNOLIACEAE), A NEWSPECIES FROM CHINAABSTRACT:
Manglietia pubipetala Q.W. Zeng, a new species of Manglieta Bl. (Magnoliaceae), from Yunnan, China is described and illustrated, which occurs in the evergreen broad-leaved forest in Maguan (Bazhai), Xichou (Fadou), and Malipo (Jingchang) County, Yunnan Province, China. It is closely related to M. rufibarbata Dandy, M. megaphylla Hu & Cheng and M. moto Dandy, but differs primarily in its glaucous lower surfaces of leaves, pubescent tepals, and villose stamens and gynoecium....

EFFECTS OF SIMULATED SO2 POLLUTION ON SUBTROPICAL FOREST SUCCESSION: TOWARD CHLOROPHYLL FLUORESCENCE CONCEPTABSTRACT:
The effects of simulated SO2 treatment (NaHSO3 with different concentrations) on chlorophyll fluorescence in five subtropical forest plants, namely Pinus massoniana Lamb, Schima superba Gardn., and Champ, Castanopsis fissa R and W, Acmena acuminatissima Bi.merr., and Perry, and Cryptocarya concinna Hance, were investigated. After the leaf sections were immersed in 0...

VARIATION IN SEED GERMINATION AND SEEDLING GROWTH IN SOME DIVERSE LINES OF SAFFLOWER (CARTHAMUS TINCTORIUS L.) UNDER SALT STRESSABSTRACT:
Abstract:To assess inter-cultivar variation for salt tolerance in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)...

RAPID CLONAL PROPAGATION OF CHRYSANTHEMUM THROUGH EMBROYOGENIC CALLUS FORMATIONABSTRACT:
Chrysanthemum nodal explants were cultured on ½ X MS medium containing different combinations of growth hormones. A reasonable callus formed on explants when MS contained 0.5 mg. cm-3 each of BAP and NAA after about 3 weeks. Similar results were obtained on MS + 0.5 mg. cm-3 BAP + 0.1 mg. cm-3 NAA or 1.0 mg. cm-3 BAP + 0.1 mg. cm-3 NAA. A maroonish embryogenic callus was formed on MS containing BAP only. This callus, then exhibited various embryonic developmental stages and gave rise to normal ...

COMPARATIVE USE OF ORGANIC SUBSTRATES AND MINERAL FERTILIZERS IN GROWING MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) FOR MAINTAINING SOIL FERTILITY IN RAINFED AREA OF PAKISTANABSTRACT:
At present Pakistan has 22 m ha of arable land out of which 4.59 million hectares are rainfed. About 1.8 million hectares of Pothowar Plateau comprises of Fatehjang¸ Murree¸ Attock and Jehlum. The topography of this region is uneven and sloppy lands are confronted with loss of fertility due to erosion problem. The rainfed area contributes about 24% in total crop yield of Pakistan. The fertility status of these soils ranges from low to very low. So, it is very important to adopt management stra...

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT EXPLANTS AND MEDIA COMPOSITIONS FOR EFFICIENT SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS IN SUGARCANE (SACCAHARUM OFFICINARUM)ABSTRACT:
An efficient embryogenic response (both direct and indirect) of two different varieties of sugarcane (CP 77,400 and BL-4) was obtained in this study. The results demonstrates that fresh inner whorl of leaves and shoot apical meristem of sugarcane were highly amenable to in vitro somatic embryogenesis (both direct and indirect). A combination of 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D with 0.25 mg/l BAP was more potent for direct embryo induction and growth in both the varieties of sugarcane. For indirect somatic embryo...

IN VITRO INDUCED MUTATION FOR SCREENING OF RED ROT (COLLETOTRICHUM FALCATUM) RESISTANCE IN SUGARCANE (SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM)ABSTRACT:
Explants from leaf, shoot apical meristem and parenchymatous pith were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of 2,4-D either alone or in combination with BAP. MS medium containing 3.0 mg/l 2,4-D exhibited maximum callus induction. Seven week old well developed calli were either treated with different concentrations of sodium azide ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 mg/l or irradiated with 10 Gy...

SEASONAL FLUX IN WATER POTENTIAL, CHLOROPHYLL AND PROLINE CONTENT IN PLANTS AT ZIARAT VALLEY BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTANABSTRACT:
Seasonal changes in water relations and accumulation of proline during drought stress were assessed in different plant species viz., Artemisia scopria, Juniperus exceltata, Onobrychis cornuta and Sophora alopecuroides growing under arid region of Ziarat valley. Water status of the plants was evaluated by measuring pre-dawn water potential and water use efficiency of plants. All the plant species showed higher values for both parameters during the wet period of April when soil moisture and organi...

THE SEEDLESS TRAIT IN KINNOW FRUITABSTRACT:
The seedless trait in Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata) is desirable because of natural factors like ovule, pollen and pollen self incompatibility. Various degrees of ovule sterility are present in Kinnow plants. The collapse of the developed ovules as rudiments of seeds in fruits is because of embryo abortion. The In vitro pollen germination on agar medium is around 18% in selected low seeded plants. Some plants have pollen self incompatibility. The fruit-set in start of May was 23, 9 and 43 ...

GENETIC DIVERGENCE AND PATH COEFFICIENT ANALYSIS FOR SEED YIELD TRAITS IN SUNFLOWER(HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L.) HYBRIDSABSTRACT:
Twenty sunflower hybrids were evaluated for various parameters under field conditions to estimate genetic parameters, correlation coefficient, path analysis and linkage distance. Analysis of variance and mean performance for yield and its components revealed significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters. Results revealed highly significant differences among all the hybrids. Days to maturity had positive correlation with head diameter but negative association with seed yi...

DETERMINATION OF THE YIELD PERFORMANCE AND HARVESTING PERIODS OF FIFTEEN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) CULTIVARS SOWN IN AUTUMN AND SPRINGABSTRACT:
This research was conducted in Samsun, Turkey during 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 to determine the performance of 15 pea cultivars sown in autumn and spring. The study was designed with split plot in randomised complete blocks design with 3 replications. The two sowing times were allocated to main plots and 15 cultivars to subplots. The combined years showed that sowing time was statistically significant for all the observed characteristics (plant height, pods per plant, seeds per pod...

YIELD AND N-UPTAKE OF WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) UNDER DIFFERENT FERTILITY LEVELS AND CROP SEQUENCEABSTRACT:
The investigations were carried through a series of experiments in two years to confirm the results of two cropping sequences with application of three fertilizer levels. Wheat planted after soybean produced better biological yield (6470.33 kg ha-1), maximum harvest index (42.14%), satisfactory grain yield (2763.33 kg ha-1) and higher N-uptake (119.26 kg ha-1). The increased levels of nitrogen and phosphorus at 150-50 NP kg ha-1 respectively increased biological yield (7235.50 kg ha-1), harvest ...

LINE X TESTER ANALYSIS IN BASMATI RICEABSTRACT:
2 line x 3 tester mating design along with 5 rice genotypes and 6 F1s were used of line, tester was higher than that of interaction of line x tester for all the characters. The predictability ratio indicated the predominance of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of all these characters. The highest significant heterosis (61.9) was observed in the cross Super Basmati/DM-107-4 for yield/plant. The female Super Basmati, male DM-25 and DM-107-4 were observed to be good general combiners for...

CLUSTERING OF BASMATI RICE MUTANTS BY METROGLYPH ANALYSISABSTRACT:
Deviations observed by Metroglyph method regarding the number of clusters formed, number of genotypes in each cluster and superimposition of the genotypes within the cluster pointed out the precision and refinement of the technique in studying the germplasm collection. It is noted that through induced mutation genetic improvement for yield and yield components is possible. Metroglyph scatter diagram provided the possibility of 11 clusters of rice genotypes. Cluster-I and cluster-II possessed the...

IDENTIFICATION AND ISOLATION OF LOW PHYTIC ACID WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) INBRED LINES / MUTANTSABSTRACT:
Research studies were carried out for identification and isolation of low phytate bread wheat mutants / cultivars in Pakistan. Sixty six mutants / cultivars collected from different parts of the country were assayed for phytic acid contents. The phytic acid contents ranged from 0.98% (Parvaz-94) to 2.17 % (NRL-0443). The frequency distribution curve showed that most of the genotypes had seed phytic acid contents in the range of 1.28 - 1.72%. Pooled analysis of revealed that seed phytic acid cont...

BIOCHEMICAL AND NUTRITIONAL EVALUATIONS OF SEA BUCKTHORN (HYPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES L. SPP. TURKESTANICA) FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF PAKISTANABSTRACT:
Sea buckthorn (Hyppophae rhamnoides L.) is a hardy shrub belonging to the family Elaeagnaceae. It bears yellow to orange berries, which have been used for centuries in Europe and Asia for beneficial purposes. It has attracted considerable attraction in the world mainly for its nutritional and medicinal value. Currently it has been cultivated in the various parts of the world. The abundant naturally growing Sea buckthorn ecotypes are of diverse genetic make up with diverse biochemical and nutriti...

MULTIPLE SHOOT FORMATION FROM DIFFERENT EXPLANTS OF CHICK PEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)ABSTRACT:
The direct regeneration ability in different explants i.e., shoot and nodal explants of Cicer arietinum was investigated on M.S. basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of Benzyl amino purine (BAP). Rapid and early shoot initiation was observed in lower concentration of BAP. Higher concentrations delayed shoot initiation in both explants. The number of shoots per explant increased with BAP concentration while shoot length decreased with increasing BAP concentration. The overall r...

INTER-ACCESSIONAL VARIATION FOR SALT TOLERANCE IN PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) AT GERMINATION AND SCREENING STAGEABSTRACT:
In order to improve salt tolerance, it is important to explore inter-cultivar genetic variation for salt tolerance, so a greenhouse experiment was conducted to screen 11 local accessions of pea (Pisum sativum L.) at the germination and seedling stages. Seeds of 11 local pea accessions were grown at five different levels of salinity (0, 60...

EFFECTS OF NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT ON COASTAL PHYTOPLANKTON COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE IN THE NORTHEASTERN MEDITERRANEANSEVİM POLATABSTRACT:
Faculty of Fisheries, University of Çukurova, Balcalı, 01330 Adana, Turkey ...

EPIPHYTIC ALGAL BIOMASS ON PNEUMATOPHORES OF MANGROVES OF KARACHI, INDUS DELTAABSTRACT:
The epiphytic algal biomass on pneumatophores of the grey mangrove Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh., was estimated for the first time from the Indus Delta region during the northeast monsoon season. Its average value was 8.38±0.27mg DW cm-2 of pneumatophores surface area and 132.84±7.79 gm DW m-2 of mud surface comparable to some other areas in the world. The algae formed a thick felt-like covering on the entire length of the pneumatophores except for a small portion at the tip. Vaucheria kar...

EVALUATION OF URDBEAN GERMPLASM FOR RESISTANCE AGAINST URDBEAN LEAF CRINKLE VIRUSABSTRACT:
2,*, M. ASLAM KHAN1, S. M. MUGHAL 2, N. JAVED 1,...

ENHANCEMENT OF BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA AND PAECILOMYCES LILACINUS AGAINST ROOT ROT OF MUNGBEAN BY A MEDICINAL PLANT LAUNAEA NUDICAULIS L.ABSTRACT:
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a plant growth promoting rhizobacterium and Paecilomyces lilacinus, an egg parasite of root knot and cyst nematodes inhibited the growth of Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum in dual culture plate assay. Application of P. aeruginosa with a medicinal plant Launaea nudicaulis @ 0.5% as soil amendment resulted in maximum reduction in M. phaseolina infection on mungbean roots in screenhouse experiments. Launaea nudicaulis @ 0.5 and 1% w/w also significa...

SEED BORNE FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH BITTER GOURD (MOMORDICA CHARANTIA LINN.)ABSTRACT:
Using ISTA techniques, the seed borne fungi of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn.) was studied. A total of 15 genera and 29 species of fungi were isolated, of which 25 have not hitherto been recorded from seeds of bitter gourd in Pakistan. The blotter method was found to be most suitable technique for detection of fungi in bitter gourd. Deep-freezing method was preferable for the detection of Fusarium spp., Myrothecium spp. and Penicillium purpurogenum. ...

ASSESSMENT OF YIELD LOSSES CAUSED BY PUCCINIA STRIIFORMIS TRIGGERING STRIPE RUST IN THE MOST COMMON WHEAT VARIETIESABSTRACT:
Studies were carried out to assess wheat yield losses inflicted by Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici. Investigations revealed that there exists a direct linkage between the disease level and the yield loss in the most common commercially adopted wheat varieties in Pakistan. The yield was significantly negatively correlated with the proportion of leaf area affected by stripe rust. The correlation coefficient (-0.67805) depicted highly significant effect of stripe rust in lowering wheat yield. Th...

DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERSENSITIVE RESPONSE BY XANTHOMONAS CAMPESTRIS PV. SESAMI ON LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM L., AND SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L., LEAVESaABSTRACT:
Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami (Xcs), causes bacterial blight disease which can significantly reduce the production of sesame. Previously collected isolate of Xcs differed in their ability to induce the hypersensitive response (HR) on tomato and potato. Tomato was most sensitive to HR induction by Xcs. Isolate Xcs caused an HR on tested plants. The minimal concentration of Xcs needed to induce HR was approximately 1x109CFU (Colony Forming Unit) mL-1. It was found that different temperatures a...

ASSOCIATION OF FUNGI, BACTERIA AND ACTINOMYCETES WITH DIFFERENT COMPOSTSABSTRACT:
In the present study the agricultural and kitchen wastes viz., potato peels, sugar cane waste, tree bark, used microbiological media, news paper, saw dust, fruit peels, grass, leaves, guar, used tea, spinach twigs, wood chips, fruit and vegetable wastes were used alone and in combinations as compost feed-stocks. Microorganisms isolated and characterized from the above composts include the species of fungi viz., Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Mucor, Penicillium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Monilia, Helm...

IDENTIFICATION OF PHYTOPLASMA FROM MANGOTREES SHOWING SUDDEN DEATH PHENOMENONTHROUGH MOLECULAR TECHNIQUESABSTRACT:
Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is susceptible to a number of diseases. One of the important diseases is sudden death phenomenon which is a complex of biotic and abiotic factors. Several fungi have been isolated from mango tree showing sudden death. But some of its symptoms resemble with those caused by Phytoplasma. This study has been made for the detection of phytoplasma from trees showing sudden death. The detection process involved PCR and fluorescent microscopy of samples collected from various...

ANTAGONISTIC ACTIVITY OF BACTERIAL INOCULUM MULTIPLIED ON RHIZOPHORA MUCRONATA LAMK., IN THE CONTROL OF ROOT INFECTING FUNGI ON MASH BEAN AND OKRAABSTRACT:
Microbial antagonists viz., Bacillus subtilis, B. thuringiensis, B. cereus and Rhizobium meliloti multiplied on dry powder of leaves and stem of R. mucronata were used in the control of root infecting fungi on mash bean and okra. Good growth of microbial antagonists was observed on all plant parts. Population increased with the increase in time. Highest population of R. meliloti, B. subtilis, B. thuringiensis was obtained on stem whereas B. cereus on leaves powder of R. mucronata. Of the four an...

EFFECTS OF HYGROMYCIN ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ARABIDOPSIS SEEDLING ROOTSABSTRACT:
In this study, it was found that growth and development of Arabidopsis seedling main root and lateral root were affected by Hygromycin. Compared to the controls, main roots of Arabidopsis seedlings cultured on MS medium with Hygromycin were very short, and lateral roots were not formed. In addition, cells in the meristematic zone of root tip exhibited abnormal array, weak division ability, evident differentiation and large intercellular space. Accordingly, it is presumed that Hygromycin might in...

ROLE OF N, P & K CONTENTS IN RESISTANCE AGAINST ASCOCHYTA BLIGHT OF LENTIL (LENS CULINARIS MEDIK)ABSTRACT:
Nitrogen and phosphorus contents of un-inoculated plants of lentil lines included in susceptible group were higher than those of the resistant one whereas, potassium, contents were more in the un-inoculated lines of resistant as compared with the susceptible group. Upon inoculation with Ascochyta lentis, the nitrogen and potassium contents, increased invariably in both the resistant and susceptible group of lentil lines. On the other hand, phosphorus contents increased in inoculated lentil lines...

PASTURE CONCENTRATION OF MINERALS IN RELATION TO THE NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF FARM LIVESTOCKABSTRACT:
Mineral composition (Ca, Na, Cu, and Zn) of different forages and soils in five agricultural local pastures in the Punjab, Pakistan were studied. They were designated as pastures, feeding sites and situated at a distance of 5 km, exhibiting varied vegetation. Grazing animals were followed, and forages corresponding to those consumed by them, and the corresponding soil samples were collected during the winter and summer seasons and analyzed for mineral composition. Most forage samples as well as ...

GEASTRUM SESSILE AND G. VULGATUM NEW RECORDS FROM PAKISTANABSTRACT:
Geastrum sessile and G. vulgatum are being reported for the first time from Gilgit valley, Pakistan. These species are characterized by the production of pointed starfish-like rays on fruiting body. Spores are sub-spherical, very finely spiny and warty.During the study on Macrofungi of Gilgit valley, Pakistan in summer 2004, the specimens were collected from Nulter, District Gilgit (alt 2915m, N = 36 o 08, E =74 o 11), growing on groups on soil under broad-leaved and conifer trees. On the basis ...

ROOT-INDUCED CHANGES IN SOME BIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL SOWN TO WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) AND CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.)ABSTRACT:
In a greenhouse experiment, wheat and chickpea were compared for root-induced changes in bacterial/fungal population of rhizospheric soil, microbial biomass, immobilization/loss of N applied as NH4+ and NO3-, dehydrogenase and nitrate reductase (NRA) and potential nitrification activity (PNA). Unplanted soil was used as a control for changes due to plant growth. Four varieties each of wheat and chickpea were grown in a greenhouse. Dry weight and % dry matter content of root and shoot portions we...

USE OF EUCALYPTUS SP., IN THE CONTROL OF MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA ROOT KNOT NEMATODEABSTRACT:
Different parts of Eucalyptus sp., viz., leaves, stem, bark and fruit used as aqueous and ethanol extracts showed nematicidal effect against Meloidogyne javanica root knot nematode, reduced hatching of eggs, increased mortality of juveniles with an increase in exposure of time and showed efficiency in the control of Meloidogyne javanica root knot nematode on mung bean and chick-pea plants. Significant increase in shoot length, shoot weight, root length and root weight was observed where soil was...

SOIL SOLARIZATION: A MANAGEMENT PRACTICE FOR MYCOTOXINS IN CORNABSTRACT:
Strategies for the management of mycotoxins in corn using soil solarization alone and in combination with soil amendments (farm yard manure, chicken farm yard manure, neem leaves and biokhad) were developed at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. Experiments with soil solarization showed a pronounced reduction in weed population soon after removal of the transparent polyethylene sheets. Solarization controlled weeds (98.5%), increased soil temperature by 11.5oC ...

PATHOGENIC DIVERSITY IN BIPOLARIS SOROKINIANA ISOLATES COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT WHEAT GROWING AREAS OF THE PUNJAB AND NWFP OF PAKISTANABSTRACT:
Leaf blight of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana (Cochliobolus sativus) is a world wide economically important foliar disease. It mainly occurs in warm, humid wheat growing areas. In Pakistan Helminthosporium leaf blight (spot blotch) has been noted in southern province of Sindh, where winter temperatures are warmer. During a survey conducted in different agro-ecological zones of Pakistan from 2004 to 2005, Bipolaris sorokiniana was found to be a predominant pathogen. Eighty-seven isolates o...

BIODIVERSITY OF THE ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ISOLATEDFROM CALOTROPIS PROCERA (AIT.) R. BR.ABSTRACT:
Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br., a widely used medicinal plant in Indian sub-continent, was investigated for endophytic mycoflora as a possible source of bioactive secondary metabolites. Four hundred seventy three segments from 9 plants of Calotropis procera, collected from different locations of Karachi University campus during 2003-2005, were processed for the presence of endophytic fungi. A total of 8 fungal species viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sublateriti...