Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), caused by a Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), is the most devastating viral disease of bananas. The genome of multipartite BBTV is about 1 Kb in size and comprises six circular single-stranded (ss) DNA components, namely DNA-R, C, S, M, U3, and N. Gene expression in multipartite DNA viruses is highly flexible due to variations in the copy number and transcript levels of individual genomic components. This enables them to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal fitness. In the current study, the copy number of each genetic component of BBTV and its transcript level were determined in the leaf, midrib, and root tissue of the infected banana plant. The results of the study showed that DNA copies (copies/ng) were higher in midrib (11,105 ± 10,704.42), followed by leaf (6902.91 ± 1651.14), and were lowest in root (23.49 ± 9.21) tissues. In contrast, the transcript level was highest in the root (312.45 ± 106.69) and lowest in the midrib (0.72 ± 0.16). This suggests that BBTV independently regulates the transcriptional level of each DNA component. The distribution of BBTV in different tissues assists the identification of significantly higher viral load tissues for early and sensitive disease diagnosis, which will be beneficial for better disease management.

| Date palm, a dioecious evergreen woody tree of the Arecaceae family is an important fruit crop of Pakistan. In this study seven date palm cultivars (Dhaki, Aseel, Halawi, Qantar, Hamin wali, Kupra and Shakri) grown in Pakistan were characterized on the basis of seventeen morphological traits, five parameter of proximate composition of date fruit and sequence analysis of two genes ( maturase k and geranyl geranyl biphosphate reductase ) from chloroplast region. Analysis of variance has revealed significant variation among the studied date palm samples pertaining to the studied physical traits and chemical composition of fruit. Sequences of the maturase k gene has complete identity to the reference genome of ‘Khalas’ cultivar. While geranyl geranyl biphosphate reductase has one synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in Qantar, Hamin wali, Kupra and Shakri, suggesting a lack of divergence in these genes in the studied cultivars. Tree plots generated showed inconsistencies in grouping of the cultivars thus showing no significant relationship of the plant morphology with the chemical composition of fruit.

Salinity is one of the most common abiotic stresses affecting banana growth and yields worldwide. This study focused on investigating four banana varieties, NIGAB-2, Pisang, NIGAB-1, and Grand Naine, which were propagated under in vitro salt stress conditions and assessed their yields. These banana cultivars were micro-propagated on medium (1X MS medium, 30.0 g/l sucrose, 100 mg/l KH2PO4, 1 mg/l indole acetic acid (IAA), and 2.2 g/l gellen gum) and subjected to seven distinct salt stress treatments, ranging from (0,10, 25, 40, 55, 70, 85, and 100 mM) NaCl. Among the selected varieties, Grand Naine attained a plant height of 9.7 cm at 100 mM NaCl, followed by NIGAB-1 (8.6 cm), NIGAB-2 (5.4 cm), and Pisang (4.7 cm) in four weeks. Additionally, NIGAB-1 and Grand Naine showed significant resistance to developing chlorophyll content under salinity stress, with NIGAB-1 exhibiting the highest fresh-weight plant biomass. The varieties demonstrated different responses to salt stress in terms of root features and shoot growth. Furthermore, salt concentrations affected the levels of secondary metabolites such as proline, total sugars, and protein content. NIGAB-1 had the highest protein content, while Pisang had the highest total sugar content. The results of this study demonstrate the variability in salt tolerance among the evaluated banana varieties, with NIGAB-1 exhibiting the highest tolerance, followed by NIGAB-2 and Grand Naine, whereas Pisang is the least salt-tolerant variety. Salt stress negatively affected banana growth, especially at concentrations exceeding 25 mM. These findings provide basic information for selecting banana varieties in future breeding programs against salt stress.

Potato is the most important short-season annual herbaceous crop. Small nucleus tuber seeds are difficult to germinate and emerge in the field. This research evaluated how potato nucleus tuber size impacts seed production and plant development. We used the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in the first week of June to seed six potato nucleus tuber sizes: T1 (0.47 g), T2 (0.84 g), T3 (2.0 g), T4 (5.0 g), T5 (10 g), and T6 (25.0 g). Plants were 30 cm apart, and rows were 76 cm apart. All treatments significantly differed in terms of days to first germination, germination percentage, flowering, physiological maturity, number of main stems per plant, tuber weight, marketable tuber yield, size of large tuber, tuber starch content, and total starch yield. However, the interaction between treatment and environment had no effect on marketable tuber yield. This research found that treatment T1 had substantial outcomes in germination (22.5), blooming (67.5), and physiological maturity (107.1). Larger tubers T6 (25.0 g) contain more buds, which increases germination percentage (%), number of main stems, plant height, yield, and physiological parameters, outperforming other treatments. This research found that seed tuber size affects crop development. Plants from bigger seed tubers performed better than those from smaller seeds.