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The current breeding program of sugarcane in Pakistan does not fulfill the variety evolution of desired characters. It mostly depends on import of exotic fuzz-seed of sugarcane varieties, without keeping varietal characters in view. So, it is the dire need of the time to characterize the sugarcane germplasm not only for saving resources but also for finding genetic relationships among breeding materials for overall sugarcane crop improvement. In the present study 60 genotypes of sugarcane, belonged to 3 research stations two of Pakistan and one from Sri Lanka, were characterized using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis. At maturity data were analyzed for 19 traits and analyzed. PCA showed seven principal components (PCs) having eigen value more than one and exhibited 72.1% variability in the genotypes. Four groups of PCA were formed for the traits. Cluster analysis placed genotypes in seven groups. Groups were not formed according to origins of genotypes which might be due to resemblance in their progenitors. Each cluster was also marked for specific trait improvement related to that cluster based upon maximum mean value of that trait, either through selection or hybridization. Four traits were found better in Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad (SRI, FSD) genotypes, five in Shakarganj Sugarcane Research Institute (SSRI), Jhang genotypes and three in Sugarcane Research Institute (SRI), Udawalawae, Sri Lankan genotypes, on the basis of mean values. Thus more emphasis could be given on these traits related to specific station for use in variety selection program for improvement of target trait. Another interesting conclusion drawn from the study was that clusters were not formed according to genotypes of a specific research station because these local and exotic sugarcane genotypes are allopolyploid (with aneuploidy) hybrids, and can be traced back to founder clones (S. officinarum × S. spontaneum).

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Increasing temperature because of climate change is one of the leading constraints to wheat productivity by adversely affecting its growth and development. Global warming would push the wheat cultivation further into heat stressed environment in future which may ultimately cause yield loss. This research directed for determination of heat tolerance level among different wheat genotypes to establish selection criteria under high temperature to select promising wheat genotypes for breeding. Hundred wheat accessions including 97 lines from international Maize and wheat improvement centre’s (CIMMYT) heat nurseries and three local checks were assessed for tolerance against high temperature in glass house and open field. In glass house, at seedling stage data was recorded for fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight, leaf relative water content and electrolyte leakage. In open field data for heat and yield related traits were recorded and subjected to mean square analysis. Studied traits were pooled through cluster analysis. Results showed that these traits have potential to discriminate heat tolerant and susceptible genotypes. Variances between genotypes were highly significant for all investigated traits under both circumstances. Accessions HTSBWON-15-0002, HTSBWON-15-0029, HTSBWON-15-0040, HTSBWON-15-0079, HTSBWON-15-0087, HTSBWON-15-0089 and Faisalabad-08 performed good for heat and yield related traits particularly electrolyte leakage and leaf relative water content. Hence, based on analysis it could be deduced that these genotypes may be used in hybridization programs for development of heat tolerant wheat genotypes with high yield potential.

Plants require a balanced nutrition program formulated to provide specific needs for maintenance and for expected production performance. Hence this experiment was conducted to evaluate the optimum level of phosphorus and potassium for growth and productivity of young Kinnow (Citrus reticulata Blanco) plants. The experiment was designed under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) comprised with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments included, T1= 200 g P2O5 + 200 g K2O, T2= 150 g P2O5 + 200 g K2O, T3= 250 g P2O5 + 200 g K2O, T4= 300 g P2O5 + 200 g K2O, T5= 250 g P2O5 + 150 g K2O, T6= 200 g P2O5 + 250 g K2O and T7= 200 g P2O5 + 300 g K2O. Maximum plant height (3.12 m) and Juice (43.48%) was observed in T5= 250 g P2O5 + 150 g K2O. The highest number of flush (33.08), number of leaves (101.25 m2), length of flush (13.75 cm), Seed weight (1.33 g), Aborted seeds/fruit (8), mature seed fruit (5.48) were noted in T7. Leaf area index and peel thickness were significantly increased in T6= (200 g P2O5 + 250 g K2O) with values 1.91 cm3 and 4.30 mm respectively. So, it is concluded that T5= 250 g P2O5 + 150 g K2O and T7= 200 g P2O5 + 300 g K2O is the best treatments for the growth and better yield of young Kinnow plants.