Plant growth regulators and Rhizobium are actively involved in the regulation of flowering, pod formation, nodulation, and ultimately the growth and yield of legumes. However, very limited information is available on the combined effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) and Rhizobium on growth attributes and yield of legume crops. This experiment was designed to fill this gap by studying the performance of chickpea under exogenous application of GA3 (10−4 and 10−5 M) alone and in combination with Rhizobium. Exogenous application of GA3 (10−5 M) combined with rhizobium inoculation gave the highest values for number of nodules per plant (16) and their dry biomass (0.22 g). Moreover, GA3 application and seed inoculation with Rhizobium, when applied singly, significantly enhanced chickpea growth. However, the most promising results were obtained by the inoculation of Rhizobium accompanied with GA3 (10−5 M). Plant height, grain and stover yield, and chlorophyll contents were enhanced up to 35%, 39%, 21%, and 51%, respectively. Likewise, the bioaccumulation of macronutrients (N, P and K) was maximum in plants receiving both Rhizobium inoculation and GA3 application. It is concluded that the combined application of Rhizobium and GA3 has synergistic effects on the growth, yield, and nutrient contents of chickpea.

Mungbean is a beneficial as well as crucial pulse crop which has high economical and commercial values widely grown in Asia. It is cheap source of dietary protein, iron and minerals. It belongs to family Leguminosae and is valuable grain legume which comprises major portion of proteins, minerals, vitamins and essential amino acid. In Pakistan it ranks second in Pulses production after Chickpea. Mungbean suffers from several diseases due lack of good cultural practices and insight about the genome of this crop. These diseases caused by fungus, bacterium and viruses. Major diseases including Yellow Mosaic disease (YMD), Urdbean leaf crinkle disease (ULCD), Cercospora leaf spot disease (CLSD) and were caused by yellow mosaic virus, Cercospora canesens and Urdbean leaf crinkle virus respectively. Annually, 40-80% grain yield losses were caused due to these diseases. To overcome these threats scientists/researchers are using approaches to develop resistant and high yielding Mungbean genotypes/cultivars. The area under Mungbean cultivation is decreasing day by day because most of varieties were matured at 100 to 120 days which were not suitable in our cropping pattern. There is a dire need to develop those varieties having high yield, resistant to diseases and insect pest, early and synchronize maturity (60-80 days).

Lentil is an important pulse crop in Pakistan which is used in combination with cereals to balance the diet. Lentil area and production is declining for the last ten year. The current study is devised to evaluate lentil germplasm for the high yield performance at the Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad. Hundred accessions of lentil germplasm (Lens culinaris L.) were estimated for morphological and yield related attributes. Field performance results showed that lentil lines indicated major differences for their morphological studied factors.

The basic aim of this study is to evaluate the exotic lentil germplasm (BIGMP LIEN-MH-18) received from ICARDA. Economically desirable characters were studied and correlated to select the genotypes for the targeted breeding programme. Thirty-six lentil exotic entries were studied. The exotic genotypes 36102 and 36108 yielded 665 and 625 kg/ha respectively similar to our local recommended check (Punjab Masoor-09) that produces 884 kg ha-1 seed yield. There were high differences for the traits that were studied. The number of pods per plant, plant stand and first pod height were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with yield. The plant height was non-significantly associated with yield while number of branches was negatively and non-significantly associated with yield. Disease attack was negative and highly significant. This association of the characters could be used in future breeding programs to enhance the yield potential for exploiting the production of the lentil crop.

A cross was made between Line No.1 and E-321 in 2002. The material was handled in filial generations following pedigree method from 2002-2018. It was tested in yield trials 2009-14 and was found high yielding as compared to check variety AZRI Mung-2006. In disease screening nurseries it had shown good disease resistance against Mung bean yellow mosaic virus, Urdbean Leaf Crinkle virus and Cercospora disease. It also exhibited tolerance to insect pests. In addition to this, proposed variety needs no special production technology package and fit in a better way in Rice-Wheat cropping system or between wheat and succeeding crop as catch crop due to short duration. The new variety PRI Mung-2018 is suitable for all areas of Punjab province.