A thorough survey of four tehsils of Sargodha District was carried out to investigate the present status of citrus decline in citrus orchards. The maximum fungi (39.52 %) were isolated from the roots followed by the soil (38.86%). The maximum Fusarium spp followed by Aspergillus and Alternaria were isolated from the collected samples of roots and soil from the four tehsils of Sargodha District. The maximum Fusarium spp was isolated from the roots of declining citrus trees from the tehsil Bhalwal (68.57%) followed by the Kot Momin (65.87%), Sillanwali (55.87%) and Sargodha (50.32%). F. solani gave the maximum mycelial growth on the Corn Meal Dextrose Agar medium followed by the Potato Dextrose Agar medium and then Malt Extract Agar medium. The maximum growth of F. solani was observed at pH 6 followed by 5, 4 and 7. While minimum growth was obtained at 3, 8 and 9 pH respectively Toxin studies were also carried out using thin layer chromatography which revealed that F. Solani produces toxins (anhydrofusarubin) which may cause decline in citrus.

Molecular markers are useful for precise assessment of diversity and phylogenetic relationships among different species and related genera at the DNA level without some of the over simplifying assumptions associated with calculating genetic diversity based on pedigree history. The objective of present study was to have a basic understanding of the genetic diversity that exists in the germplasm available for breeding, which is fundamental for the success of any breeding program. For this study 40 sugarcane accessions were collected from the germplasm source. The accessions consist of advance lines, approved varieties and wild species (S. barberi). Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Micro-satellite (SSR) analysis was performed using 80 primers. Use of SSR and RAPD primers together offers the potential of more cost effective data acquisition than is the case with other technologies. These primers sequence vary in different varieties of sugarcane, and this variability may be used to develop molecular markers for mapping sugarcane genes and traits, these sequences being the part of sugarcane genome predicted to be most immediately useful to plant breeder and geneticists.

Study was conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature, light, salinity, drought stress, field capacity, pH and sowing depth on germination of Carthamus oxyacantha M. Bieb. All experiments were laid out in completely randomized design each with four replications. Data were recorded for 15 days on parameter like germination percentage, time to start germination, time to 50% germination, mean germination time and germination index. Mean germination time and germination index were significant in both salinity and drought stress, except time to start germination and time to 50% germination which were non significant. Increasing field capacity from 0 to 100% increase emergence percentage, time to start emergence, time to 50% emergence, mean emergence time and emergence index. Maximum germination was occurred at neutral pH 7. Emergence decreased with increase in sowing depth with maximum seed grown (72.50%) at soil surface 0 cm and minimum (35.00%) at 6cm.

Study on correlation and path coefficient analysis for cane yield and yield related traits in ten accession of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) was conducted Analysis of variance indicated highly significant differences among the accessions for all the traits. The study of path analysis for yield related traits depicted that plant height, cane thickness, leaf area, internodal distance and brix value had the direct negative effects on yield. Study carried out to investigate the response of different sugarcane varieties to Callogenesis in order to analyze variation for sugarcane mosaic virus resistance. Total 26 parent plants and 64 somaclones of HSF-240 were selected for screening of virus through Das ELISA test. Four parent plants out of 26 showed negative and Ten somaclones showed positive reaction to the disease and were declared as susceptible.Somaclones produced were also analyzed by microsattelite molecular markers in order to analyze the vriation between parents and somaclones produced at molecular level.It may be concluded from the results that SSRs can be used for identification of somaclonal variation and the relationship between parents and somaclones.

A 5 x 5 diallel cross experiment was conducted involving the verities i.e. AC-134, MS-39, 124-F, CIM-473, and LA-85-52-2 to evaluate the type of gene action involved in the inheritance of various morphological and yield contributing traits in upland cotton. The analysis of variance revealed that differences between genotypes for all the traits were highly significant. The results of joint regression analysis revealed that the data for all the traits were fit for simpole additive dominance model.The genotype AC-134 carried maximum dominant genes for plant height, number of sympodial branches and ginning out turn. The genotype 124-F possessed maximum number of dominant genes for number of monopodial branches.The genotype CIM- 473 was found to be the best general combiner for number of bolls per plant, boll weight while the genotype MS-39 seemed to be the best general combiner for plant height. From the above results it was suggested that the plant traits could be improved by simple selection procedure because they are controlled by additive type of gene action as far their phenotypic expression is concerned.

Investigations were done to find out the Agro-qualitative response of forage maize (Zea mays L.), blended and intercropped with forage legumes.The experiment consisted of 10 treatments containing different combinations of maize with legumes i.e. sesbania and cluster bean.This study was focused to achieve high quantity and better quality of maize fodder.Aim of the study was to determine the more efficient method of sowing and to have a look on the most favorable combination of maize and legumes. The better sowing method and combination of legumes with non-legume fodder can provide the higher quantity and better quality of fodder to the dairy industry of Pakistan.Data on growth, yield and quality parameters was recorded by using standard procedures, statistically analyzed using Fishers analysis of variance technique and least significant difference (LSD) test at 5 % probability will be used to compare the treatment's means.Keeping in view the results of the present study, it was concluded that the good quantity and quality of forage maize (Zea mays L.) sown mixed with forage legumes can be obtained by interrow growing of maize and sesbania in 30 cm apart rows under Sahiwal conditions