POLLEN FLORA OF PAKISTAN -XXXVI. FLACOURTIACEAE
ABSTRACT:
Pollen morphology of the family Flacourtiaceae has been examined from Pakistan by light and scanning electron microscope. Pollen grains are generally radially symmetrical, isopolar, tricolporate, zonoaperturate, prolate with reticulate tectum.

POLLEN MORPHOLOGY OF GALANTHUS ELWESII HOOKER (AMARYLLIDACEAE)
ABSTRACT:
Pollen morphology of Galanthus e/wesii Hooker (Amaryllidaceae) was examined by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was compared with that of members of Galanthus ikariae Baker and G. rizehensis Stem.

CHLOROPLAST DNA VARIATION IN POLYGONATAE SENSU LATO (LILIACEAE)
ABSTRACT:
cp DNA variations were examined in 16 species of 7 genera of the tribe Polygonatae for 50 probe-enzyme combinations to study phylogenetic relationship among genera and species. The shared fragments were counted, index of similarity and distance matrix calculated. The study supports the idea against mono-phyly of Polygonatae sensu lato. The results suggest that there are three monophyletic groups within Polygonatae sensu lato. Group I with genera Maianthmum, Smilacina and Disporopsis; group11with Uvularia and Disporum and group III with genera Prosartes and Clintonia. The differences between each group (estimated F value x 100 were 5.88-7.8 for group I and 11, 4.8-6.6 for I and III and 3.4-5.61 for II and III. The distance within the genus Prosartes was 0.33-0.84, while it differed from Disporum in 3.4-5.52. The difference of Prosartes from Clintonia was 2.2, while between Disporum and Uvularia as 1.63-0.171. The RFLP studies turned out to be concordant to morphological data. The present findings support lumping of Smilacina in Maianthemum.

08-04-11
ABSTRACT:
AFAQ-HUSAIN S, SHAMEEL M

ADDITIONS TO THE DISCOMYCETES OF PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
Ten species of Discomycetes viz., Bulgaria inquinans Fr. , Geopyxis alpina Fr. , Helvella atra Holmskj ex Fr., H. cupuliformis Dissing & Nanuf., H. elastica Bull. ex St. Amnas, H. villosa (Hedw. ex Kze.) Dissing & Nanuf., Humaria hemisphaerica (Wigg ex. Gray) Fckl., Sarcoscypha occidenta lis (Schw.) Sacc., Scutellina scutellata (Fr.) Lambotte, Trichophaea cupulata Paut., are described and illustrated from Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan. Of these, B. inquinans, G. alpina, H. cuputaformis and Trichophaea cupulata are new records from Pakistan. Discomycetes, the cup fungi, are the most common type of fleshy ascomycetes. At least 175 species of Discomycetes are known from Pakistan (Ahmad

AN ADDITION TO SPHAEROPSIS FROM PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
A new species of Sphaeropsis karachiensis from Salvadora oleoides is described, illustrated and compared with allied taxa.

AN ADDITION TO SPHAEROPSIS FROM PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
A new species of Sphaeropsis karachiensis from Salvadora oleoides is described, illustrated and compared with allied taxa.

ANTHRACNOSE OF BETELVINE IN PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
Anthracnose disease of betelvine caused by Colletotrichum capsici was more frequently detected in Karachi as compared to Thatta and Hub regions of Pakistan. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was isolated only from infected plant samples collected from Karachi. Use of Benomyl and Topsin-M significantly reduced anthracnose disease.

QUICK DETECTION OF ASCOCHYTA LENTIS FROM LENTIL SEEDS USING POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) BASED TECHNIQUES
ABSTRACT:
Two Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) specific primers, ASCO1 and ASCO2 were developed for the detection of Ascochyta lentis from infected lentil seeds. PCR amplification with primers ASCOI and ASCO2 resulted in amplification of an approximately 400bp product with A. lentis and A. rabiei isolates but not with A. fabae and other lentil pathogens viz. , Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Stemphylium botryosum and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. The specific primers were amplified with the whole DNA of the A. lentis infected seeds but not with healthy seeds suggesting that the specific primers will provide a valuable tool for accurate and quick detection of A. lentis in lentil seeds.

TRANSFER AND BEHAVIOUR OF SOME R PLASMIDS IN PLANT ASSOCIATED BACTERIA
ABSTRACT:
Eleven R plasmids isolated from enteric bacteria were studied for their transfer and stability in plant associated bacteria to use them as vehicles for In vivo genetic engineering. The bacteria of plant origin viz., Xanthomonas, Erwinia, Citrobacter, Rhizobium, Agrobacterium and Pseudomonas used as recipients and the R plasmids used included pFK2, pFK6, pFK7, pFK8, pFK20, pAS72, pNJ15, pNJ18, pFK5a, pFK17 and pFK18. The R plasmids which carried resistance to one or five different antibiotics were tested for their conjugal transmission from enteric bacteria to the bacteria of plant origin. Two of these R plasmids viz., pFK6 and pFK7 could be conjugally transmitted to four different bacteria of plant origin whereas, pFK2 could be transmitted to three and the rest could be transmitted to two or one plant associated bacteria. Most of the R plasmids were found to be stably maintained after their transmission into the bacteria of plant origin indicating that they could be used as vehicles for In vivo genetic engineering of these bacteria.

ASSESSMENT OF USEFUL HETEROSIS IN GLANDLESS GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM COTTON STRAINS THROUGH THEIR PERFORMANCE IN HYBRID COMBINATION
ABSTRACT:
Field studies were conducted in 1997 at Central Cotton Research Institute, Sakrand to evaluate useful heterosis in seven hybrids derived from glandless cotton varieties crossed with local advance strains against two commercia! varieties NIAB-78 and CRIS-9 in respect of seed cotton yield per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, ginning outturn percent, staple length and uniformity ratio. Six hybrids yielded more seed cotton and number of bolls per plant than both commercial checks NIAB-78 and CRIS-9, All hybrids produced heavier bolls and five gave more ginning outturn percent than both the check varieties. As regards staple length and uniformity ratio, all the hybrids measured longer staple and produced more uniform fiber than both the checks. The maximum heterosis for seed colton yield per plant of 39.7 % was observed against NIAB-78 and 32.8% against CRIS-9.

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT AND CORRELATION IN CORN
ABSTRACT:
Four population of maize drived from a broad based population CIMMYT 31 on the basis of silking and black layer formation after four breeding cycle were evaluated for 10 quantitative characters. Significant improvement alongwith expected transgressive segregants for maturity and yield potential was observed and suggested to be exploited for maize production. Major emphasis was given to develop different populations on the basis of maturity phases and correlation of BLF with other physiological and agronomic charaters revealed significant association of BLF with silking in EE, EL and LE populations but insignificant correlation in LL. The characters like Kernels per row, grain weight, kernels per plant, grain yield and leaf area did not exhibit any significant association between BLF and other yield contributing characters which might be due to linkage among genes responsible for phenotypic expression of these characters which can be broken by using selective diallel following recurrent selection. There was a reduction in grain yield in early population whereas, high variance observed in LE population alongwith early maturity suggested a potential source for earliness and high yield which could be attained by repeating more breeding cycles and finally to develop a composite variety within each population especially in LE population.

UTILIZATION OF GAMMA IRRADIATION FOR THE GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF ORIENTAL MUSTARD (BRASSICA JUNCEA COSS.)
ABSTRACT:
Homogeneous seeds of Oriental mustard cv. Agati Sarhein (Brassica juncea Coss.) were treated with different doses of gamma rays (750 to 1250 Gy) to induced genetic variability for the selection of genotypes with improved agronomic traits. Seventy-five useful mutants selected from M2 generation were tested in progeny rows to confirm the stability of genetically altered economic traits in M3 generation. Thirteen mutants with promising performance for yield and yield components were evaluated in preliminary yield trial. Five mutants produced significantly (P<0.05) higher yield than parent.

GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION ON BREAD WHEAT GROWN OVER MULTIPLE SITES AND YEARS IN PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
The stability for yield performance and genotype x environment (GxE) interaction was studied in 12 wheat genotypes grown at 13 contrasting sites (12 in Sindh and one in NWFP) over two years. The combined analysis of variance over all environments revealed a highly significant (P< 0.01) difference for genotypes, environments and genotype x environment interaction. An adaptation analysis was applied to estimate the b, s.e. (b) and deviation from regression coefficients (S 2d) for each genotype. The genotype SI90157 produced the highest mean yield over all the environments showing wide adaptation and stability. Genotypes PN90111; Anmol 91, SP89126 and SH8921 gave the lower mean yield over all environments with high value of s.e. (b) and s2d. The line SI88126 gave higher yield particularly in high yielding environments showing weak stability. The utilization of stable genotype SI90157 in the breeding programme for the evolution of new high yielding variety has been suggested.

SOME PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL IN SUGARCANE CULTIVATED. AREAS' OF NAWABSHAH, SINDH, PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
A declining trenld in per hectare yield of sugarcane in Nawahshah is being observed since 1992. Soil samples collected from Nawabshah, Padedan and Sakrand when analysed for soil properties and some macro and micro nutrients showed that the soil is highly deficient in organic matter (X = 0.35% ) and phosphorus (X = 6.2 ppm). Soil pH was found to be 8.35 inldicating its alkalinily. Sodium was found to be the dominant cation (X =950 ppm) affecting electrical conductivity (7.71 millimohs/cm). Mean exchangeable sodium percentage and sodium absorption ratio were 5.4% and 9.5 millimol / L respectively. The soils were found to have sufficient potassium (X = 500 ppm), calcium (X = 10500 ppm) and magnesium (X = 3500).

CANE AND SUGAR YIELD POTENTIAL OF SUGARCANE LINE AEC81-8415
ABSTRACT:
NAZIR A. DAHAR, M.H. KHANZADA AND RAZIULLAH KHAN

ISOLATION OF BIOACTIVE ALKALOIDS FROM GENTIANA OLIVIERI AND ITS NON-TOXIC EFFECT
ABSTRACT:
From the chloroformlic extract of Gentiana olivieri plant, two alkaloids gentianine and gentianadine were isolated and their structures established on the basis of spectral data and by comparison with the known compounds. Brine shrimp (LC50) bioassay of the crude extract and the pure compound was found to be nontoxic.

REVERSAL OF ABA-INDUCED INHIBITION OF LETTUCE SEED GERMINATION BY HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
ABSTRACT:
Exogenous and endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) play a preventive role in the germination of seeds (Bewley & Black

CHANGES IN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTANCE OF LEACHATES FROM WHEAT SEEDS PRETREATED IN WATER AND SODIUM CHLORIDE
ABSTRACT:
Wheat seeds of two different cultivars viz., Inqalab and Pasban, pretreated in water for 2, 6

CARBOHYDRATE CHANGES IN OLIVE DURING FRUIT RIPENING
ABSTRACT:
Changes in carbohydrate content in olive during fruit ripening in on and off years showed that contents of fruit soluble sugars during fruit development increased up to 90 days after fruit set and then decreased during fruit ripening up to 120 days. A marked temporary increase was evident at the beginning of fruit color changes. The content of reducing sugars in fruit were considerdbly higher than that of non-reducing ones. In leaves the amount of non-reducing sugars was higher than that of reducing ones. During on-year, content of soluble sugars decreased after a primary increase whereas during off-year a different pattern was observed. Glucose, fructose and mannitol, main sugars df soluble fraction of fruits were in decreasing order. Changes of glucose and fructose content were contrary to each other up to 135 days after fruit set, thereafter concom- itant to decrease of glucose and fructose, mannitol content increased. In leaves, mannitol, glucose and fructose are the major components of soluble sugars, with different pattern during on-and off-years where the content of mannitol in off-year was lower than that of on-year. Insoluble sugars of fruit and leaf in off-year were higher than that of on-year. The main constituents of this fraction after hydrolysis were glucose, rham- nose, arabinose, fructose, galactose, ribose, xylose and mannitol, in different amounts. Glucose was the major sugar of fruits in most cases.

MUCILAGE CONTENT AND ITS SUGAR COMPOSITION IN ASTRAGALUS SPECIES FROM IRAN
ABSTRACT:
Mucilage content and its sugar composition in leaflets of 15 species of Astragalus from Iran were examined. The mucilage content of different species varied from 3.44 to 23.56% dry weight. Mucilage content in some of the species of this genus is comparable with that of the richest sources of mucilage. The mucilages obtained from different species, all showed the presence of glucose, galactose, arabinose, xylose, fucose and rhamnose but in different amounts. In mucilages of 1.2 species glucose was the major monosaccharide and in 3 species galactose was the main constituent. The uronic acids were detected in 12 of the 15 species.

IN VITRO PRODUCTION OF FLORAL BUDS AND STIGMA-LIKE STRUCTURES ON FLORAL ORGANS OF CROCUS SATIVUS L.
ABSTRACT:
Floral parts of Crocus sativus L., were cultured on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of kinetin and naphthalene acetic acid. Excised explants from style, perianth, stamen filament and ovary showed different reactions in vitro. Stigma-Iike structures appeared at different frequencies directly or indirectly through meristematic tissue on colourless style and perianth explants. Direct stigma-Iike structures were frequently produced in the form of bunched groups and intensely pigmented at the basal cut ends of colourless style and perianth explants. Indirect stigma-like structures usually regenerated in large numbers on the surface of the calli and up to 100 per explant were obtained on colourless style explants in medium containing 5 mgl-1 of kinetin and 5 mgl-1 of naphthalene acetic acid. After successive subculturing or continuous cultures on solid media, complete or incomplete neoformed floral buds formed on colourless style and perianth explants in media with high concentrations of kinetin. At higher concentrations of both kinetin and naphthalene acetic acid many indirect stigma-Iike structures were also produced on stamen filament and colourful style explants.

PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS OF AVICENNIA MARINA TO SEAWATER CONCENTRATIONS IN THE INDUS DELTA, PAKISTAN
ABSTRACT:
Avicennia marina is the most dominant species among mangroves found in the lndus delta, Pakistan, alongwith a few populations of Aegiceras corniculata, Rhizophora mucronata and Ceriops tagal. Propagules of Avicennia marina collected from the lndus delta were grown in pots containing sandy soil that were subirrigated with 0

SEASONAL VARIATION IN STRUCTURE, COMPOSITION, PHYTOMASS, AND NET PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY IN A LASIURUS SCINDICUS HENR., AND CENCHRUS SETIGER US VAHL., DOMINATED DRY SANDY DESERT SITE OF KARACHI
ABSTRACT:
Variation in composition, strucrure, plant biomass and net primary productivity was analyzed in a grass dominated sandy desert community of Lasiurus scindicus Henr., and Cenchrus setigerus Vahl., situated within the campus of University of Karachi. Pakistan. Life form indicated a thero-hemi-cryptophytic/geophytic flora. Phytosociological parameters of vegetation were srudied at monthly interval from June 1990 to June 1991. The density as well as live biomass-based diversity of the community was generally low and dominance high. The live-biomass-based diversity varied seasonally and was the function of precipitation and soil moisture. On the advent of rain in August with the increase in diversity, the relative abundance pattern tended to approach log-normal distribution which was otherwise geometric. The density-based diversity declined after August rains largely due to very high density of Tragus roxburghii (1327 plants.m-2), a small graminoid, which created the condition of very high dominance concentration.

FECUNDITY, SEED CHARACTERISTICS AND FACTORS REGULATING GERMINATION OF RHYNCHOSIA MINIMA (L.) D.C.
ABSTRACT:
Fecundity of three Rhynchosia minima populations was compared. The old-field population exhibited highest fecundity as well as average reproductive output weight, followed by the population existing in a vacant lot while the population in a natural undisturbed shrub-dominated community showed lowest fecundity and average output weight. Variation in seed weight within and between populations was demonstrated. The implications of seed size variation are discussed. Seeds have water impermeable seed coats and thus they have physical dormancy. Physical scarification with sand paper was more effective in breaking seed dormancy than chemical scarification with hydrochloric acid. Dry heat treatment (50oand 70oC) markedly increased the germination percentage. Under field conditions dry heat during summer apparently breaks seed dormancy thereby allowing the seeds to germinate in considerable numbers after rain showers. Greater germination percentage was observed in light compared to dark. Final germination percentage varied with temperature (25o- 40oC) with the optimum at 35o. Significant inhibition of germination occurred at 6, 7, and 8 bar NaCI salinity, while in polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000) germination was reduced at 7 and 8 bar. At iso-osmotic concentrations PEG 4000 caused lesser inhibitory effect compared to NaCI salinity.

MANGROVES OF PAKISTAN-IRAN BORDER NEAR GULF OF OMAN
ABSTRACT:
Gawatar Bay located at Pakistan-Iranian border facing Gulf of Oman serves as a connection between mangroves of the Gulf area and N.E. Arabian Sea of Pakistan. It forms the westernmost part of the coastal belt of Pakistan, the climate of which is maritime desert type. Only one species Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh, prevails in the Bay as in the Arabian Gulf and the adjacent Kalmat Khor. Their vertical zonation pattern of different size groups is not regular but disturbed, The major problem facing the mangroves is excessive harvesting, which stems from the socio-economic set up of the local people residing in the area.