Temperature stress is becoming the major concern for plant scientists worldwide due to the changing climate. The difficulty of climate change is further added considering its precisely projecting potential agricultural impacts [1, 2]. Temperature stress has devastating effects on plant growth and metabolism, as these processes have optimum temperature limits in every plant species. Global climate change is making high temperature (HT) a critical factor for plant growth and productivity; HT is now considered to be one of the major abiotic stresses for restricting crop production [3]. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicates that global temperatures have risen during the last 30 years [4], and it was mentioned that the decade from 2000 to 2009 was the warmest ever recorded.

/pdf/extreme-temperature-responses-oxidative-stress-and-h3qe784ukz.pdf

Extreme Temperature Responses, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense in Plants

Ureteral Stents: Indications, Variation and Complications

Abiotic Stress - Plant Responses and Applications in Agriculture

Harvest index is a measure of success in partitioning assimilated photosynthate. An improvement of harvest index means an increase in the economic portion of the plant. Our objective was to identify genetic markers associated with harvest index traits using 203 O. sativa accessions. The phenotyping for 14 traits was conducted in both temperate (Arkansas) and subtropical (Texas) climates and the genotyping used 154 SSRs and an indel marker. Heading, plant height and weight, and panicle length had negative correlations, while seed set and grain weight/panicle had positive correlations with harvest index across both locations. Subsequent genetic diversity and population structure analyses identified five groups in this collection, which corresponded to their geographic origins. Model comparisons revealed that different dimensions of principal components analysis (PCA) affected harvest index traits for mapping accuracy, and kinship did not help. In total, 36 markers in Arkansas and 28 markers in Texas were identified to be significantly associated with harvest index traits. Seven and two markers were consistently associated with two or more harvest index correlated traits in Arkansas and Texas, respectively. Additionally, four markers were constitutively identified at both locations, while 32 and 24 markers were identified specifically in Arkansas and Texas, respectively. Allelic analysis of four constitutive markers demonstrated that allele 253 bp of RM431 had significantly greater effect on decreasing plant height, and 390 bp of RM24011 had the greatest effect on decreasing panicle length across both locations. Many of these identified markers are located either nearby or flanking the regions where the QTLs for harvest index have been reported. Thus, the results from this association mapping study complement and enrich the information from linkage-based QTL studies and will be the basis for improving harvest index directly and indirectly in rice.

/pdf/unraveling-the-complex-trait-of-harvest-index-with-11rmce6xx6.pdf

Unraveling the Complex Trait of Harvest Index with Association Mapping in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Eighty six promising new barley genotypes and three checks including one indigenous cultivar (Hordeum vulgare L. var Rum) were grown in two successive seasons of 2005 and 2006 to assess the presence of variability for desired traits and amount of variation for different parameters. Genetic parameters, correlations, and partial regressions were estimated for all the traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among entries for all the characters. The estimates of genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were high for grain yield per plant, biological yield and number of kernels per main spike. Broad sense heritability estimates for various traits ranged from 68 to 99.7%. Grain yield per plant showed high significant positive genetic and phenotypic correlation with only number of kernels per main spike. Multiple correlations of characters (0.36), via. fertile tiller number and number of kernels per main spike which were significant with grain yield were far from the multiple correlation of all characters (0.96). The total variability calculated through multiple correlation in the population for yield improvement accounted by fertile tiller number and number of kernels per main spike was 36 % compared to 96 % accounted by all other characters. It was concluded that more fertile tiller number and number of kernels per main spike are major yield contributing factors in selecting high yielding barley cultivars.

/pdf/genetic-variation-heritability-phenotypic-and-genotypic-4e25dquzma.pdf

Genetic Variation, Heritability, Phenotypic and Genotypic Correlation Studies for Yield and Yield Components in Promising Barley Genotypes

Performance of nineteen exotic genotypes along with local check variety was studied during 2009-10 at Wheat Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The experiment was conducted under two field conditions i.e., stress and irrigated conditions. In case of water stress experiment, only soaking irrigation was applied for seed bed preparation and no further irrigation was applied up to maturity. While, four irrigations were applied at critical growth stages to the second experiment (irrigated). At maturity, grain yield was recorded in both experiments (stress Ys and irrigated Yp). From grain yield data, some drought tolerance/resistance indices such as tolerance index (TOL), mean productivity (MP), harmonic mean (HM), stress susceptibility index (SSI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress tolerance index (STI), yield index (YI), yield stability index (YSI) and modified stress tolerance index (k1STI & k2STI) were calculated. Genotypic correlation, genetic components and heritability were also calculated for grain yield and all indices. Significant differences among genotypes were observed for Yp, Ys and all other drought tolerance indices. Moderate to high heritability and genetic advance were observed for Yp, Ys and all drought tolerance indices. Grain yield under irrigated environment (Yp) was positively and significantly correlated with MP, HM, GMP, STI and k1STI. Similarly, positive and significant association has also been observed between grain yield under stress condition (Ys) and MP, HM, GMP, STI, YI and k2STI so they were the better predictor of potential yield Yp and Ys than TOL, SSI and YSI. According to Fernandez model; genotypes No. 2, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 13 have uniform superiority under both conditions (stress and irrigated). Genotypes No. 1, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 were recommended for irrigated conditions. Genotypes No. 3 and 5 were identified suitable for stress conditions. While genotypes No. 8, 10, 12, 14 and 20 performed poorly under either environments (stress and irrigated).

Drought tolerance indices and their correlation with yield in exotic wheat genotypes.

Ten wheat genotypes viz., Inqilab-91, AS-2002, GA-2002, Manthar, Ufaq-2002, 00125, 00055, 01180, 00183 and 99022 were planted on November 10, 2003 (normal planting) and January 10, 2004 (late planting) at Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad to study the effect of temperature on development and formation of grain. Significant genotypic differences were observed for all traits studied indicating considerable amount of variation among genotypes for each character under normal and late planting conditions. The maximum reduction of 53.75% was noted for grain yield while tillers m -2 showed less reduction (15.38%) under late planting conditions. Heat stress intensity was high (0.538), which ultimately lowered the grain yield under late planting conditions. Variety AS-2002 showed a low (0.86) heat susceptibility index for grain yield. However, Inqilab-91, 00125, 00180, and 00183 were better yielder under normal planting conditions. High genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV), heritability in broad sense (h 2 ), genetic advance as percentage of mean (GA%) were observed for grain filling duration, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per plot under normal and late planting conditions. Genotypic correlation coefficients were generally in the same direction as phenotypic correlation coefficients but higher in magnitude under both planting conditions. 1000-grain weight was significantly and positively associated with harvest index at genotypic level. Under late planting conditions, grain yield per plot showed significant and positive genotypic correlation coefficients with biomass per plot and harvest index. Characters showing strong association with grain yield indicating selection for these traits are expected to result in yield improvement under normal and late planting conditions.

Effect of temperature on development and grain formation in spring wheat.

Twenty advanced lines/genotypes of wheat including two check varieties were sown under two different sowing times through out the Punjab province at 18 different locations with diverse environments to study their stability and adaptability. Normal sowing was done in second week of November 2007 while the delayed sowing was completed during second week of December 2007 during crop season 2007-08. The pooled analysis of variance showed significant differences among environments and genotypes for grain yield demonstrating the presence of considerable variations (p<0.01) among genotypes as well as diversity of growing environments at various locations for both normal and late sown wheat crops. The highest average grain yield was obtained at Jalandar Seed Farm, Arifwala and Pak. German Farm, Multan for normal and delayed sown crops, respectively. Most of the locations emerged as high yielding in normal sowing compared to late sown crop. Dendrograms of 18 locations based on the average yield of 20 wheat genotypes grown under normal and late sown crop revealed two main clusters. Under both normal and late sowing, none of the varieties exceeded the check Seher-2006, however, the check was followed by the advanced lines V-04022 and V-05066 for normal sown crop and Shafaq-2006, V05066 and V-04022 under delayed sowing. All the genotypes revealed decline in grain yield for late sown wheat crop. The analysis of stability based on mean grain yield, regression coefficient and deviation from regression advocated that the cultivars V-05066 and V-03BT007 were most stable and adapted to diverse environmental conditions of Punjab. These cultivars revealed unit regression and non-significant deviations from regression. The check variety Seher-2006 produced maximum yield for both sowing times that suggested its consistent and stable performance across the environments.

Assessment of adaptability and stability of grain yield in bread wheat genotypes under different sowing times in punjab

Objectives: To ascertain the efficacy of transurethral Ureteroscopy (URS) and Pneumatic Lithoclasty for the management of ureteral stones. Place and duration of study: This retrospective study was conducted from December 2005 to December 2009 at the Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Allied Hospital/Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad and Hospitals in Private sector. Methods: Patients with stones of different sizes and at different levels in the ureter were included in the study. Patients of less than 12 years of age and also patients with ureteric stones more than 3 cm  were not included in the study.Such stones were managed by open Ureterolithotomy  Results: A total number of 540 patients with ureteric calculi were included in the study. Cause of ureteric obstruction was stones in all cases. Among these 450 patients, 209 (38.6%) patients presented with lower ureteric stones, 266 (49.20%) patients presented with stones in the mid ureter, 65 (12.2%) patients presented with stones in the upper ureter. Bilateral ureteric calculi were present in 95 (17.5%) cases. Out of 540 cases 57 (10.62%) patients presented with anuria and they were initially treated by Percutaneous Nephrostomy PCN to relieve the obstruction followed by URS and Lithoclasty
Overall, ureteric stones at different levels and of different sizes were treated successfully in 480 (89.0%) patients and in remaining 60 (11.0%) patients stones could not be broken. Stones were successfully fragmented and cleared in the 198 (94.73%) of 209 patients with stones in the lower ureter, in 253 (95.11%) of 266 patients with stones in the mid ureter and in 29 (44.61%) of 65 patients with stones in the upper part of ureter. Stones were successfully fragmented in 347 (98.21%) out of 354, 92 (85.18%) out of 108 and 41 (52.56%) out of 78 patients with stone sizes of <1 cm, 1-2 cm and 2-3 cm respectively. DJ stents were inserted in 426 (78.81%) cases. Procedure was not successful in 60 (11.0%) patients. Stones were migrated up in to renal pelvis in 31 (5.73%) patients, stone fragmentation failure was in 13 (2.40%) patients, failure of URS insertion up to stone was in 6 (1.10%) patients and ureteric avulsion was in 1 (0.18%). Conclusion: Transurethral rigid Ureteroscopy is still an acceptable procedure in the treatment of ureteric calculi of different sizes at different levels and it can be used safely with very good results in expert hands.

/pdf/outcome-of-retrograde-ureteroscopy-urs-for-the-management-of-1qv0cnmnw1.pdf

Outcome of Retrograde Ureteroscopy URS for the Management of Ureteric Calculi: Four Years Experience

The population of world is accelerating fast with increased number of malnourished people having deficiency of micronutrients, particularly in developing countries. Mineral malnutrition is considered to be the most serious among the global challenges for humans. Biofortification of wheat grain through genetics is a powerful methodology for altering the balance of nutrients in the human food on a large scale. In this study, concentration of mineral nutrients, protein and grain yield were studied to find out potential source of minerals in historical and present spring wheat varieties of Pakistan with the objective to strengthen the hybridization programme and to develop high nutritive wheat. Fifty eight genotypes were sown according to randomized complete block design with three replications. Total nitrogen in wheat grain samples was determined by the Kjeldahl method and grain nitrogen value in percentage was multiplied by 6.25 to get grain protein concentration. Potassium was measured with the help of Jenway Flame Photometer and phosphorus was determined colorimetrically using spectrophotometer. Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ and Mn 2+ were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. A wide range of diversity was observed among the studied varieties for grain yield, protein and seven mineral in wheat grain. The grain yield was increased and nitrogen concentration in the endosperm diluted over time of green revolution. While mineral concentration of Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Cu 2+ , NO3 - and protein was significantly low in present local varieties as compared to the mean of pre-green revolution local varieties. Fe 2+ concentration was significantly increased in present local varieties than the local varieties of green revolution period. The mean of grain yield, Zn 2+ , Mn 2+ and H2 PO4 - concentration of present International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) varieties (GA-2002, Seher-2006, Chakwal-50 and FSD2008) were significantly increased (33.8%, 22.8%, 60% and 30.8 %, respectively) than CIMMYT varieties of green revolution era (Mexipak-65, Blue Silver, Arz, Sandal, Lyallpur-73, Pari-73, Pothowar-73, Noori, Pavon, WL-711 and Bahawalpur-79). The present (local & CIMMYT) varieties have a significant edge for yield, Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , H2 PO4 - and K + over varieties of all other groups. Grain yield had positive and significant phenotypic correlation with Mn 2+ , H2 PO4 - and K + (0.247, 0.364 and 0.140, respectively). Nitrogen had negative genotypic/ phenotypic correlations with the minerals (Zn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mn 2+ , H2 PO4 - and K + ) and the yield. Therefore, variation of mineral concentration and grain yield present in studied genotypes can be utilized to develop high yielding wheat varieties without affecting the nutritional quality of grain.

/pdf/nutritional-diversity-in-spring-wheat-with-chronological-4sxd91tf9d.pdf

Ghulam Mahboob Subhani

Papers

Drought tolerance indices and their correlation with yield in exotic wheat genotypes.

Effect of temperature on development and grain formation in spring wheat.

Assessment of adaptability and stability of grain yield in bread wheat genotypes under different sowing times in punjab

Outcome of Retrograde Ureteroscopy URS for the Management of Ureteric Calculi: Four Years Experience

Nutritional diversity in spring wheat with chronological perspective and its association with grain yield.