Grain hardness is an imperative attribute that determines the end-use quality of wheat. Variation in grain hardness is usually controlled by Puroindoline (pin-a and pin-b) genes located on the 5D chromosome.The study was aimed to reveal different mutations in Puroindoline genes utilizing the STS-marker approach and their association with important quality attributes in 100 hexaploid wheat genotypes (96 from Pakistan and 4 from CIMMYT). Overall, seven puroidoline genes were identified. Among them Pina-d1b(null) (85%) was most common while Pinb-d1i (1%) and Pinb-d1ab (1%) were most rare gene. Out of 100 genotypes, 97 had hard texture either with single or double mutant pin-genes, while three had a soft texture with wild type (Pina-d1a/Pinb-d1a) pin-genes. All four quality attributes revealed a vast deviation among germplasm, while their correlation analysis revealed the highest association (r=0.71) between thousand-grain weight and protein content. In addition, three out of four quality traits, i.e. thousandgrain weight, SDS-sedimentation value and protein content, showed the highest mean values for double mutant (Pina-d1b/Pinb-d1b) followed by single mutant, i.e. Pina-d1b. The present study facilitates breeders for varietal selection (hard or soft) according to end-use quality and offers valuable information for improving wheat quality.

Background: Sugarcane is very important industrial and cash crop in Pakistan and in many countries of the world. It is worldwide an essential source of commercial sugar accounting for nearly 75 per cent of the world sugar production. Biochemical screening is first step in breeding to select superior genotypes in further breeding program. Methods: The experimental investigations were carried out on 10 different genotypes of sugarcane during consecutive years i.e., 2010-2012 to determine their genetic diversity by biochemical approach and SDS-PAGE analysis. The data on biochemical parameters i.e. reducing and non-reducing sugar, protein content, vitamin C, iron content, phosphorus content, calcium content and magnesium content in juice samples of various genotypes was recorded to assess biochemical composition. Result: The genotypes SPF-213, LHO83-153, CP-72-2086 performed better than other ones for reducing and non-reducing sugar, protein content, vitamin C and minerals content. However, on the basis of overall biochemical constituents CP-72-2086 was most efficient genotype. Electrophoretic mobility through SDS-PAGE was revealed clear genetic diversity among genotypes. As genotype S-06-US-469 and S-06-US-312 which showed unique pattern from common ancestors. These diverse genotypes could be successfully utilized in hybridization for improvement of crop.