The cotton variety NIAB-78 showed the highest seed cotton yield of 2.96 t haG 1 when applied with 150 kg nitrogen while the higher weight per 100 seed and large boll size was observed in 180 kg N haG 1. Maximum number of monopidial and sympodial branches were observed in 150 kg N haG 1. Treatments differed significantly from one another in their growth behaviour. Maximum plant height and internodal length were recorded in 180 kg N haG 1. Among quality components of cotton, ginning out turn was significantly affected by different levels of N and found to be maximum at 150 kg N haG 1 while staple length was found to be non-significant. It is inferred that nitrogen application in the range of 150 to 180 kg haG 1 along with 60 kg P 2 O 5 , haG 1 is an optimum dose. Nitrogen application beyond 180 kg haG 1 will not be profitable.

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The potential of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genotypes for salt tolerance was investigated in a pot experiment under a lath house conditions. Salt stress substantially reduced plant growth and physiological traits in cucumber plants. On other hand, increase in accumulation of organic solutes i.e., proline as well as activity of anti-oxidant enzymes like SOD, POD and CAT were also observed. However, salinity also caused ionic imbalancement in studied genotypes and lead towards high leaf sodium and chloride (Na + , Cl -) content along with a significant reduction in leaf K + and Ca + levels. On the behalf of percent increment or reduction in observed, cucumber genotypes Marketmore & Green long were found to be salt resistant, while Summer green and 20252 catagerized as salt sensitive. Tolerant genotypes effectively maintained better dry biomass and high Ca + and K + content with least Na + and Clin their leaves exposed to salt stress. Furthermore, maximum accumulation of proline contents and greater activity of antioxidants (SOD, POD and CAT) results in improved tolerance under salinity which indicate that salt tolerance induced in cucumber is greatly connected with level of organic osmolytes and antioxidant defense system.

Developing high-yielding wheat varieties tolerant to abiotic and biotic stresses is a challenge wheat breeder currently face. Wheat Research Institute (WRI), Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad, Pakistan, has released 65 wheat varieties, including MH-21, for several zones since its establishment in 1906. MH-21, with the varietal code V-12304, gave 11.2% and 10.28% more grain yield than the check variety (Faisalabad-08), respectively, in preliminary (2011–2012) and regular yield trials (2012–2013). Then, testing it in outstation yield trials proceeded over 21 locations in Punjab province (2013–2014) and 18 locations all over Pakistan (2014–2015, 2017–2018, and 2019– 2020) for yield and disease constancy, simultaneous with agronomic field trials and quality lab testing during 2014–2018 and 2014–2016, respectively. It exhibited an amber seed color, semi-erect growth habit at booting, erect flag leaf attitude, hairiness auricle, awned yellowish ear, and elevated shoulder and beak shape of glumes traits. DNA fingerprinting of MH-21 ensued to compare its genetic background with previously registered 21 wheat varieties. Given the promising stable performance in multi-locations over the years for better grain yield, nutritional quality, and resistance against rusts, the Punjab Seed Council approved V12304 in 2021 with the name „MH-21‟ for general cultivation in irrigated areas of Punjab, Pakistan.

To study the relationship amongst leaf chlorophyll contents, yield and related parameters, 18 advanced genotypes of cotton were tested in a trial at Cotton Research Station, Faisalabad. Highly significant results were noticed in the analysis of variance. Further investigation in correlation analysis revealed that there was comendable positive association among leaf chlorophyll contents, seed cotton yield (SCY), No. of sympodia, seed index and boll weight(g). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) demonstrated that only 02 out of 08 PCs showed eigen value greater than 1. The contribution of first two PCs in total variability was 70.77% amongst the genotypes assessed for chlorophyll contents, seed cotton yield and related traits. Remaining six components contributed very less viz. 30.8% in total variability. Valuable positive factor loadings on PC I was attributed by seed cotton yield, chlorophyll contents, boll weight, No. of sympodia, seed index and Ginning out turn (GOT)%. In PC II, maximum positive contribution was presented by plant height whereras maximum negative factor loadings were showed by GOT % and seed index. PCA also confirmed the results of correlation studies by presenting significant positive association among leaf chlorophyll contents, seed cotton yield, No. of sympodia, seed index and boll weight. These results will be helpful in further breeding strategies for selection of genotypes with respect to chlorophyll contents, yield and associated traits.