Abstract: Tissue culture technique is one of the best methods to reproduce salvia plant Therefore, the aim of this research was to enhance the in-vitro callus proliferation and production of secondary metabolites of S. moorcroftiana using different combinations of auxin, cytokinin and melatonin. Initially, callus induction was optimized using indole acetic acid (IAA), 2, 4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) applied at different concentrations in combination with 1 mg L-1 of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). The results indicates that earliest days to callus induction (14.67 days) was occurred in the media fortified with 2, 4-D+BAP (2.0+1.0 mgL-1). Whereas the highest callus initiation (100%) was induced on MS medium incorporated with 2,4-D+BAP (1+1mgL-1). Furthermore, maximum fresh weight was obtained when 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (1+ 1mg L-1) was incorporated and dry weight was attained when 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (2+1 mg L-1) was added to MS media. The maximum fresh and dry weight was obtained when melatonin at rate of 1.5 mg L-1 was supplemented with MS media including 2,4-D + BAP (1+1mg L-1), moreover the maximum DPPH scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content was noted when supplemented with melatonin at rate of 1.5 mg L-1. In conclusion, among various concentrations of plant growth regulators, 2,4- D + BAP at the rate of (1+ 1mg L-1) along with 1.5 g L-1 melatonin was the best for callus growth and production of secondary metabolites of S. moorcroftiana.

Abstract Wheat is consumed as staple food by majority of population in Pakistan. This study was aimed to assess the effects of recently introduced five cultivars of wheat (Ojala 2016, Borlaug 2016, Johar 2016, Gold 2016 and Fatehjang 2016) for chapatti quality. Results for different physical, chemical, rheological and sensory parameters revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences between the cultivars studied. The flours obtained from wheat cultivars Fatehjang 2016, Borlaug 2016 and Gold 2016 demonstrated increasing tendency in protein content and dry and wet gluten. Wet gluten was significantly higher in Fatehjang 2016 (30.08%) and significantly lower (26.21%) in wheat variety named Gold 201. Fatehjang 2016 and Borlaug 2016 showed the most appealing physical properties among all cultivars. On the basis of rheological and sensory parameters, Fatehjang 2016 was found to be the most suitable variety for production of chapatti followed by Borlaug 2016.

ABSTRACT Plant tissue culture techniques are useful for producing a large number of disease-free plant material. The aim of the present study was to determine the optimal nodal explant type (terminal, intermediate and basal) and cytokinins (6-benzyladenine and thidiazuron [TDZ] at concentrations of 0 to 3 mg L-1) for bud break and axillary shoot proliferation of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The intermediate nodal explants were effective for the establishment of G. glabra aseptic culture when compared with terminal or basal nodal explants. The highest bud break (89%) and axillary shoot proliferation (eight shoots) were observed when the intermediate nodal explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 TDZ for 30 d. The best rooting medium was MS medium supplemented with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) compared with indole acetic acid; NAA at 6 mg L-1 yielded 78% rooting and an average of 6.3 roots per plantlet. The regenerated plantlets were acclimatized, with a survival rate of 77.7%, when transferred to ex vitro conditions and showed no morphological abnormalities. Thus, the high percentage of bud break and rate of shoot proliferation and successful acclimatization established a simple and efficient micropropagation of G. glabra.

ABSTRACT: Phenomic characterization through digital imaging (DI) can capture the three dimensional variation in wheat grain size and shape using different image orientations. Digital imaging may help identifying genomic regions controlling grain morphology using association mapping with simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers. Accordingly, seed shape phenotypic data of a core collection of 55 wheat genotypes, previously characterized for osmotic and drought tolerance, were produced using computer based Smart grain software. Measured dimensions included seed volume, area, perimeters, length, width, length to width ratio, circularity, horizontal deviation from ellipse (HDEV), vertical deviation from ellipse (VDEV), factor form density (FFD) etc. The thousand grain weight (TGW) was positively correlated with grain size direct measurements; however, VDEV, FFD and other derived grain attributes showed no or negative correlation with TGW. Digital imaging divided the genotypes correctly into well-defined clusters. The wheat genotypes studied were further grouped into two sub-clusters by the Bayesian structure analysis using unlinked SSR markers. A number of loci over various chromosomal regions were found associated to grain morphology by the genome wide analysis using mixed linear model (MLM) approach. A considerable number of marker-trait associations (MTAs) on chromosomes 1D and 2D may carry new alleles with potential to enhance grain weight due to the use of untapped wild accessions of Aegilops tauschii. Conclusively, we demonstrated the application of multiple approaches including high throughput phenotyping using DI complemented with genome wide association studies to identify candidate genomic regions underlying these traits, which allows a better understanding on molecular genetics of wheat grain weight.

Resumo Objetivo: Este estudo procura explorar oportunidades de criação de valor trazidas pelas práticas de e-HRM. O objetivo é examinar o impacto das e-HRM operacionais, relacionais e transformacionais nos resultados organizacionais, incorporando a qualidade dos serviços de gestão de recursos humanos como fator de criação de valor intermediário. Metodologia: Gerentes de linha de bancos comerciais que adotaram a e-HRM operacional, relacional e transformacional foram convidados para participar do estudo. Este utilizou a análise fatorial exploratória para validação de escala. Utilizou-se o PLS-SEM para validar e testar o modelo conceitual. Resultados: Com base em dados de uma pesquisa grande e nova, o estudo concluiu que as práticas de e-HRM operacionais, relacionais e transformacionais têm um impacto significativo na qualidade dos serviços de RH e na produtividade dos funcionários. A qualidade dos serviços de gestão de recursos humanos medeia a relação entre as práticas de gestão de recursos humanos e os resultados organizacionais. Contribuições: O estudo contribui para a literatura referente à HRM identificando a relação entre as práticas de e-HRM e os resultados organizacionais e analisando a percepção dos gerentes de linha do setor bancário no sul da Ásia. Também contribui para a teoria RBV identificando a e-HRM como um recurso fundamental para melhorar a produtividade dos funcionários e oferece base para o desenvolvimento da teoria da e-HRM.

Abstract Purpose: This study seeks to explore the value creation opportunities offered by e-HRM practices. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of operational, relational, and transformational e-HRM practices on organizational outcomes by incorporating HRM service quality as an intermediary value creating factor. Design/methodology/approach: Line managers of commercial banks that adopted operational, relational, and transformational e-HRM were asked to participate in the study. The study used exploratory factor analysis for scale validation. PLS-SEM was used to validate and test the conceptual model. Findings: Drawing on data from a large and new survey, the study found that operational, relational, and transformational e-HRM practices have a significant impact on HR service quality and employee productivity. HRM service quality mediates the relationship between e-HRM practices and organizational outcomes. Implications: The study focuses on the relevance of e-HRM practices for improving organizational effectiveness, leading to competitive advantage for the firm. It is one of the pioneering studies that explore the link between e-HRM practices and organizational outcomes by analyzing the perception of South Asian line managers from the banking sector. Organizations from developing and developed countries can extract benefits by designing and implementing e-HRM systems in a way that supports their workflow.

Abstract This study was aimed to investigate the effect of bio-organic phosphate either alone or in combination with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria strain (Bacillus MWT-14) on the growth and productivity of two wheat cultivars (Galaxy-2013 and Punjab-2011) along with recommended (150–100 NP kg ha−1) and half dose (75–50 NP kg ha−1) of fertilizers. The combined application of bio-organic phosphate and the phosphorous solubilizing bacteria strain at either fertilizer level significantly improved the growth, yield parameters and productivity of both wheat cultivars compared to non-inoculated control treatments. The cultivar Punjab-2011 produced the higher chlorophyll contents, crop growth rate, and the straw yield at half dose of NP fertilizer; while Galaxy-2013, with the combined application of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria under recommended NP fertilizer dose. Combined over both NP fertilizer levels, the combined use of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria enhanced the grain yield of cultivar Galaxy-2013 by 54.3% and that of cultivar Punjab-2011 by 83.3%. The combined application of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria also increased the population of phosphorous solubilizing bacteria, the soil organic matter and phosphorous contents in the soil. In conclusion, the combined application of bio-organic phosphate and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria offers an eco-friendly option to harvest the better wheat yield with low fertilizer input under arid climate.