| Salinity is a major issue for tinda gourd ( Citrullus vulgaris L.) production throughout the world. In a pot experiment, five selected tinda gourd genotypes i.e., Green ball, Dilpasand, Durga, Round gold, and Indian desi were sown. One month after emergence, the growing medium was supplied with the lowest NaCl level 2, two medium levels 4, 6, and the highest salinity level was 8 dS m -1 and was compared with the control (1.5 dS m -1 considered as normal). The Hoagland solution was applied every week as a nutrient solution. High sodium contents lead to sodicity. Finally, selected genotypes displayed significantly dissimilar responses toward the concentration of sodium ions according to their genetic potential. Various agronomic traits and physiological traits along with seedlings’ ionic content of sodium, phosphorous, potassium, and sodium in leaves revealed that ‘Round ball’ has better NaCl tolerance ability compared with other genotypes used in this study. The highest ionic sodium concentration (10.34 µg g -1 DW) was found in Green ball, whereas Round gold (8.92 µg g -1 DW) showed the minimum. NaCl-induced salinity leads to chlorophyll damage in Round gold (58.44 SPAD index) and ‘Green ball’ (50.55 SPAD index) accordingly. On an overall basis, ‘Round gold’ (12.1 µg g -1 ) had maximum followed by Indian desi (11.7 µg g -1 ) at the highest level of salinity (8 dS/m -1 ) with respect to control (6.9 µg g -1 ). It was revealed that the lowest ionic sodium concentration was observed in the Green ball (6.3 µg g -1 ). Considering the result of this study, the Round gold tinda gourd genotype may be used for cultivation in salt-affected soils.

| Honeybees are the world’s most important pollinators of food crops. Honeybee plays an essential role in pollination of commercial crops. Some viral, bacterial, protozoan, and fungal pathogens are attached on the honeybees worldwide. These pathogens affect the honeybee population by creating disease in it, which also effect the economy of country. It destroys the honey production and causes a subsequent reduction in the crop yield. In this present work, we isolated and screened various honeybee pathogens i.e., Nosema apis, Nosema cerus, Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), Sacbrood virus (SBV), Deformed wing virus (DWV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBV) and Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). For the pathogen screening, collection of guts from the diseased honeybee colonies was followed by RNA isolation. The RNAs were quantified on spectrophotometer. Results have shown the occurrence of fungus and/or pathogen infestation which was caused by microsporidium Nosema apis with 277bp. It has been observed that the honeybee colonies were badly affected due to Nosemosis disease which was caused by microsporidian fungus Nosema api s. This microsporidian fungus causes dysentery in the honeybees, may impede the survival rate of bees, and thus may further cause a subsequent reduction in the honey production and pollination rate which may ultimately cause the reduction in crop yield.

| The aim of our study was to observe the vertebrae variation and its relation with carcass weight and quantity of Balochi and Harnai sheep breeds of Baluchistan. For this purpose, we have observed Thoracic T and lumber L vertebrae variation by removing carcass from 3 randomly selected male animals of each breed. We have observed seven vertebrae variation in both sheep breeds from T-12 to T-14, L-5 to L-7 and T-11 to T-12, L-4 to L-6 in Balochi and Harnai breed, respectively. The thoracic and lumber vertebrae which possess more number in Balochi sheep as compared with Harnai breed has produced more amount of carcass about 1.56 to 2.01 kg, respectively. It is concluded that due to presence of more number of thoracic and lumber vertebrae number in Balochi breed produced more meat as compared with Harnai breed.

| Physalis minima is a promising medicinal plant of the family Solanaceae, but its survival is under threat, and limited long-term conservation approaches are available. We employed an in vitro plant tissue culture technique to develop a mass propagation system for the effective multiplication and conservation of P. minima . Juvenile leaves were cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 µM thidiazuron (TDZ). As a result, 100% callus induction was achieved on the medium containing 1.0 µM TDZ. Notably, calli grown on 1.0 µM TDZ exhibited greater potential for shoot regeneration and proliferation in the growth regulator-free MS liquid medium (95.25%) as compared to the solid medium (89.00%). Shoot cultures remained viable for up to 15 days without refreshing the medium and could be sustained for 12 months when sub-cultured every 15 days. Invigoration of albino shoots with fresh MS basal medium resulted in multiple green buds, which successfully transformed into 54.60 and 652.78 healthy shoots in 30 and 120 days, respectively. These shoots were rooted, acclimatized, and transferred in field conditions. The present study thus establishes a simple in vitro liquid culture system for the mass propagation of P. minima , providing a strategy for the long-term conservation of multiple endangered plant species.

| Wheat aphid is a crop-damaging bug. It causes significant damage by sucking cell sap, injecting a poison into the plant, eliminating photo-assimilates, and spreading plant-destroying viruses. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of botanical extracts and synthetic insecticides in combating wheat aphids. Data regarding the aphid population was recorded 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after the application of plant extracts and insecticides. Maximum mortality recorded after 168 hours was, 85.06% and 79.29% by Neem and Eucalyptus leaf extract followed by 72 hours 72.29% and 71.69%, 48 hours 63.35% and 62.45% and 24 hours 48.91% and 48.68% respectively. Among the botanical extracts, Neem leaf extract was more effective as compared to the Eucalyptus leaf extract and a significant difference between the treated and control plot was recorded. Carbosulfan and Imidacloprid showed 76.80% and 75.62% mortality followed by 84.40% and 84.08%, 91.35% and 90.53% and 95.39% and 93.85% after 48, 72 and 168 hours respectively. Carbosulfan and Imidacloprid similarly greatly reduced the aphid population in compared to the control, but no significant difference was seen between the two treatments. Based on the results, it is stated that botanicals provide cost-effective and ecologically friendly alternatives to wheat aphid control and that they should be incorporated into an integrated management approach.

| The infestation of Trilocha varians was seen on weeping fig ( Ficus benjamina ) for the first time from Pakistan in 2018. The immature stages of pest were found on these ornamental bushes, collected from the infested plants grown in lawns of Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan, and were brought to the lab for rearing and identification. After emergence of moths, specimens were killed and identified using available taxonomic keys under stereomicroscope. After identification, it was revealed that the insect under study was identified as T. varians . After going through the relevant literature, it was found that this species had not been reported so far from Pakistan. Therefore, the detail description is being presented here for futuristic references.

| Present study was carried out to observe the effect of silage feeding on body growth and confirmation of Tapri male goat raised under the intensive housing management system. This study was performed at the Livestock Experimental Station, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam. For this purpose, twelve Tapri male goat kids of six months age were purchased from local market and divided into two groups, each group contains six kids. (Group A was fed with fresh maize grass and Group B was fed with maize feeding silage). After completion of 2 months trail results was collected and analyzed. The result for weekly weight gain statistical analysis showed that non-significant (P≥0.05) difference between groups from 1 st to 4 th week. However, showed significant (P≤0.05) effect was recorded from fifth week to eight week of age, respectively. Final weight was also significantly higher in B group when compared with A group. Statistical analysis showed non-significant (P≥0.05) difference between the groups from 1 st , to 5 th week. However, significant (P<0.05) effect was recorded from six week to eight week of age, respectively. Data indicated that minim girth was recorded in group A than group B during first week. Similar trend was observed till eight weeks of age. Statistical analysis showed non-significant (P≥0.05) difference between the groups from 1 st , to 4 th week. However, significant (P<0.05) effect was recorded from fifth week to eight week of age, respectively. Maximum net profit was earned from B group than A group. It is concluded that goat kids of group B were fed maize silage showed better body growth and more economical values as compared group A were fed fresh maize.

| Drought is a significant issue because of the worldwide effects of climate change and the negative effects it has on wheat output. For improving production in water-scarce locations, screening drought-tolerant wheat cultivars is crucial. At the Plant Physiology Division of NIA, Tando Jam, the current experiment was conducted during the Rabi year of 2021. At both the P0.01 and P0.05 probability levels, the growth measurements at the seedling stage revealed extremely significant variations for all characteristics among genotypes, treatments, and interactions. The results demonstrated a stronger osmotic impact when using -0.5 MPa PEG. At the seedling stage, the genotype SDW-3 had higher decreases in a number of growth indices, such as shoot length (-11.3), root length (-72.6), and shoot fresh weight (-4.4), with an increase in PEG (-0.5 MPa) level. According to the results of the current study, all six wheat genotypes’ seed incubation shoot, root length, and shoot fresh weight drastically decreased under laboratory conditions due to osmotic stress. The genotype SDW-3 showed the greatest decrease under increased osmotic stress brought on by PEG-6000 (-5.0 MPa). As a result, the genotypes AST-1(V1), SDW-1, and SDW-2 may be employed in future breeding programmes and are drought resistant.

| Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD) being caused by begomoviruses exclusively transmitted by Bemisia tabaci cryptic species comprised of genetic variants which could be differentiated by mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI-3 ʹ ) gene. Most numerous cryptic species is Asia II-1recorded all over in Pakistan whereas North Africa-Middle East (NAFME) previously known to be found in the Sindh province but now also reported in the Punjab province. This study revealed that overall diversity of whitefly cryptic species in Pakistan is higher than previous studies. Some whitefly cryptic species cause direct damage to the crops by feeding and indirectly by transmission of plant viruses that reduce the crop yield and quality. Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) management is difficult due to multiple virulent strains and higher recombination rate that is a serious threat to the cotton crop of the last two decades in Pakistan. Alternate host plants belonged to vegetables, weeds, and mixed farming practices helped the evolution of new viral and whitefly species. The CLCuD develops resistant cultivars against CLCuV and screening of new host resistance forms. Applications of DNA markers to induce resistance into the cultivars and editing of genome are some of the good practices contributing to suppress this disease. The study is helpful in understanding population dynamics of whitefly cryptic species interaction with the begomoviruses and alternative host plants which is imperative to devise effective management strategies for CLCuD and its vector whitefly.