ABSTRACT. Biofuel tree species are recognized as a promising alternative source of fuel to conventional forms. Additionally, these 9544 S.A. Manzoor et al. ©FUNPEC-RP www.funpecrp.com.br Genetics and Molecular Research 14 (3): 9543-9554 (2015) tree species are also effective in accumulating toxic heavy metals present in some industrial effluents. In developing countries such as Pakistan, the use of biofuel tree species is gaining popularity not only for harvesting economical and environmentally friendly biofuel, but also to sequester poisonous heavy metals from industrial wastewater. This study was aimed at evaluating the genetic potential of two biofuel species, namely, Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata, to grow when irrigated with industrial effluent from the Pak-Arab Fertilizer Factory Multan, Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The growth performances of oneyear-old seedlings of both species were compared in soil with adverse physiochemical properties. It was found that J. curcas was better able to withstand the toxicity of the heavy metals present in the fertilizer factory effluent. J. curcas showed maximum gain in height, diameter, and biomass production in soil irrigated with 75% concentrated industrial effluent. In contrast, P. pinnata showed a significant reduction in growth in soil irrigated with more than 50% concentrated industrial effluent, indicating that this species is less tolerant to higher toxicity levels of industrial effluent. This study identifies J. curcas as a promising biofuel tree species that can be grown using industrial wastewater.

ABSTRACT. We conducted a 5 x 5 complete diallel cross experiment in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) with the genotypes 6309, Chkwal-50, Dhrabi, Bhkhar-02, and FS-08. Our objective was to evaluate the type of gene action and the general and specific combining abilities required for various morphological traits in wheat. The results of analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among genotypes for all the investigated traits. The results of joint regression analysis showed that the data for all the investigated traits fitted a simple additive dominance model. Graphical representation of variance and covariance suggested that most of the investigated traits were controlled by overdominance gene action. However, the peduncle length and plant height were controlled by additive gene action. Variety 6309 carried the highest number of dominant genes for the number of spikelets per spike, number of tillers per plant, plant height, number of fertile tillers per plant, and grain yield per plant. Chakwal-50 carried the highest number of recessive genes for grain yield per plant, number of tillers per plant, number of grains per spike, number of fertile tillers per plant, and plant height. Chakwal-50 and 6309 were the best general combiners for number of spikelets per spike, number of grains per spike, grain yield per plant, 1000-grain weight, number of fertile tillers per plant, and number of tillers per plant. On other hand, 6309 performed well in specific crosses with Chakwal-50, FS-08, and Bhakhar-02 for spike length and number of tillers per plant.