The objective of the present study is to find out the effect of Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungal inoculation on growth, productivity and nutrient uptake in two cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties. The AM inoculated plants out performed than non-inoculated plants (control) in terms of growth, productivity parameters and nutrient uptake. AM fungal inoculation had a significant effect on productivity of cowpea attributed to growth, plant height, number of nodules, mycorrhizal dependency and number of flowers per plant.

This research was carried out to check genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in 11 F4 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes (10 F4 lines and one check) in a randomized block design with three replications at the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2015-16. Data was/were taken on parameters such as days to heading (days), plant height (cm), flag leaf area (cm2), spike length (cm), grain weight spike-1 (g), 1000-grain weight (g), grain yield plant-1 (g), biological yield plant-1 (g)and harvest index (%). The statistically significant difference(s) was/were detected for the investigated traits.  The high magnitude of heritability (˃0.62) was noted for all parameters except spike length (0.57) which was moderate. Low expected genetic advance was recorded for days to heading (3.90%) and spike length (8.13%), moderate expected genetic advance was observed for plant height (9.95%), grain weight spike-1 (11.54%) and 1000 grain weight (13.41%), while high expected genetic advance was noted for flag leaf area (24.72%), grain yield plant-1 (20.45%), biological yield plant-1 (23.64%) and harvest index (24%). Grain yield plant-1 was non-significantly and positively correlated with days to heading (rG = 0.19NS and rP = 0.07 NS),  plant height (rG = 0.30 NS and rP = 0.26 NS), flag leaf area (rG = 0.25 NS and rP = 0.18 NS), spike length (rG = 0.01 NS and rP = 0.07 NS), grain weight spike-1 (rG = 0.28 NS and rP = 0.22 NS) and 1000-grain weight (rG = 0.02 NS and rP = 0.07 NS) at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. While significantly and positively correlated with biological yield plant-1 (rG = 0.34* and rP = 0.33*) and harvest index (rG = 0.58** and rP = 0.66**) at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. High heritability showed that these traits are under genetic control and single plant selection could be started in F5 generation. The strong correlation of grain yield plant-1 with the mentioned traits showed that grain yield could be indirectly improved by improving these traits.

Genetic variability is the main basis of improvement in crops. The experiment was conducted at The University of Agriculture Peshawar to estimate genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and correlation studies among F7 populations of chickpea. The experimental material comprised 35 chickpea genotypes Viz. 33 F6 populations of chickpea and two check varieties i.e., NIFA-2005 and Karak-1. The genotypes were sown in RCB design with two replications. Data were collected on eight yield contributing traits viz. Secondary branches plant-1 , pods plant-1 , seed pod-1 , 100-grain weight, grain yield plant-1 and harvest index. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (p≤0.01) among F6 populations of chickpea for all the traits studied. Maximum number of secondary branches plant-1 (23.50), seeds pod-1 (1.80) and seed yield plant-1 (22.76 g) revealed by C1-P2-1-2. Maximum pods plant-1 (58.60), 100-seed weight (30.64 g) and harvest index (42.55%) were recorded for C1-P1-1-1, C1-P1-6-4 and karak-1, respectively. Pods plant-1 exhibited high heritability (0.93) followed by seed yield plant-1 (0.86), secondary branches plant-1 (0.85, 100-seed weight (0.75), plant height (0.73) and harvest index (0.68). High genetic advance was noticed for seed yield plant-1 (33.21), pods plant-1 (29.61%) and secondary branches plant-1 (22.73%). The genotypic and phenotypic correlation of seed yield plant-1 was positive and highly significant with secondary branches plant-1 , pods plant-1 and harvest index. Chickpea genotypes C1-P2-1-1, C1-P1-6-2, C1-P2-1-2, C1-P1-6-4, C1-P2-3-3 and C1-P2-3-1 showed best performance than local checks Karak-1 and NIFA-2005 for pods plant-1 and seed yield plant-1 and should be further tested at multi-location for possible release as a new cultivars.

Background: The present work was intended to explore the quantitative ethnobotany and conservation status of flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan. For the first time, significant traditional knowledge of the uses of reported flora was documented.Objective: The aim of the present study was to: (i) elucidate local populations' traditional knowledge of indigenous plants used for various purposes (ii) compile ethnomedicinal data using quantitative analyses for in-depth pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants. (iii) evaluate the reported flora's conservation status.Methods: Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e., Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL).Results: 102 participants including 75 men and 27 women were interviewed. The participants reported a total of 68 plant species, belonging to 57 genera and 19 families. There was 1 family of pteridophytes (1 species), 1 family of gymnosperms (4 species) and 63 species belonging to 17 families of angiosperms. Of the total reported plants, 38 were fodder species, 37 were medicinal species, 5 were timber species, 9 were fuel species, 8 were fruits species, 1 was vegetable species, 5 were condiment species, 2 were thatching species, 9 were ornamental species while none of the species was poisonous in nature. Conservation status revealed that 49 species (72.05 %) were vulnerable, 12 species (17.64 %) were rare, 6 species (8.82 %) were endangered, and 1 species (1.47 %) was found infrequent. Conclusion:The current study showed the majority of the species were used as fuel wood, medicines, and fodder.As most plant species have significant curative properties, a rotational and moderate grazing system is required to conserve the plants. Local residents must inculcate in their children the importance of floral diversity and conservation.

Genetic variability, heritability and selection response were studied among rice genotypes for yield attributing traits. Nine rice genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications at the University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan during 2018. Significant differences were observed among the rice genotypes for all the traits. Pakhal took maximum value for Culm length (113.6 cm), Panicle length (29.05 cm), Secondary branches panicle-1 (31.4), Grain length (10 mm), Spikelets panicle-1 (162.8) and Grains panicle-1 (122.7 g). However genotype NIAB-IR-8 took maximum value for 100 grain weight (2.9 g) and Grain yield plant-1 (30.28 g). High heritability and genetic advance were observed for all the studied traits viz. Culm length (0.95 and 27.77), Panicle length (0.84 and 3.83), Grain length (0.62 and 0.78), Secondary branches panicle-1 (0.66 and 6.19), Spikelets panicle-1 (0.59 and 21.82), Grains panicle-1 (0.75 and 15.82), 100 grain weight (0.76 and 0.31) and Grain yield plant-1 (0.95 and 13.34). On the basis of superiority for yield attributing traits Pakhal and NIAB-IR-8 could be recommended for future use in rice breeding programs. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2019, 5(1): 55-60