| The purpose of the experiment was to find out the impact of various combinations of growth regulators 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP cytokinins family) and Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA auxin family) on growth and root induction of banana explants micro-propagated in vitro. Explants were obtained from young suckers of 8818-william, Pisang and Brazilian varieties. The explants were cultured in vitro containing MS media and different BAP and IAA combinations. The results showed banana varieties exhibited differences for the shoot and root development and also for the number of shoots and leaves. Wiallium-8818 hybrid gave more shoots (7.33) when the concentration of BAP and IAA was 2.5 and 1 mg L-1, respectively. Alike, Wiallium-8818 hybrid produced the longest shoot (12.20 cm) with more leaves (6.23) at 1 mg L-1 of each BAP and IAA. But Pisang variety produced maximum fresh weight (15.45 g) with a greater number of roots at 5 + 1 mg L-1 of BAP + IAA, respectively.

| An experiment comprising of 11 exotic genotypes were evaluated for yield and baking quality traits at National Agriculture Research Center Islamabad, Pakistan during autumn 2016-2017. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were recorded on sprouting, plant height, number of tubers per plant, average tuber weight per plant, tuber shape, skin, flesh color, number of eyes per tuber, sensory evaluation and proximate analysis. Results showed significant differences in all yields and phenotypic quality traits. High sprouting (100%) and plant height was observed in CIP8 (31.60 cm). CIP12 produced more number of tubers/plant (23.4 tubers) with low tuber weight while better average tuber weight was observed in CIP22 followed by CIP13 genotypes (95%) while CIP7 showed minimum sprouting (70%).CIP28 genotypeproduced maximum plant height (70.00 cm) while minimum CIP28 and CIP34 genotypes (494.5 and 488.3 g respectively). Genotype CIP7 had more eyes (7.0 eyes per tuber) while CIP19 and CIP28 produced less eyes (4.0 to 4.4 eyes per tuber). Six genotypes produced round shaped tuber potatoes whereas CIP13 and CIP31 produced oval shaped tubers. Most of the genotypes (CIP3, CIP8, CIP12, CIP17, CIP19, CIP22 and CIP31) produced yellow to light yellow tubers skin color. CIP28 showedbetter color, flavor and taste acceptance point. In overall acceptability of baked potatoes, CIP28 and CIP17 genotypes recorded the best results. In short, genotypes CIP17 and CIP28 recorded suitable plant parameters, baked quality traits and overall acceptability as well. These genotypes are recommended for baking industry of Pakistan.

Sustainable production of food crops relies on germplasm improvement and genetic diversity that helps to identify appropriate parents, which is very important step in breeding of genotypes having high yield potential for future use. This study was conducted to investigate the extent of genetic diversity using multivariate technique on the basis of qualitative and quantitative traits. An experiment was comprised of 74 exotic genotypes and started at National Agriculture Research Center Islamabad, Pakistan during autumn 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. Data was recorded on qualitative and quantitative traits by following standard procedures and Biplot analysis was used to calculate the significance among the studied quantitative traits to exhibit the strength of relationship between traits. Results showed significant diversity in qualitative traits and quantitative traits. Red, yellowish, brown, light yellow, light brown color tubers were produced. Alike, genotypes produced yellow, cream and white flesh color tubers. Genotypes had oval, round, oblong, elliptic and reform with medium, small and large size tubers. Alike, brown, light brown, dark red and yellow eyes color was noted. In case of quantitative traits, genotypes had high variance regarding plant height, leaf area and number of tubers per lane. Genotypes had very high genetic variance for weight of tuber per plant and weight of tuber per lane while low variance was recorded for germination, number of stem per plant and number of eyes per tuber. Significant positive correlation was observed between number of tubers per plant (TPP) with number of eyes on tubers (r = 0.241) and number of tubers per lane (TPL) (r = 0.349). But negative correlation was noted between number of tubers per plant (TPP) with plant height (r = -246), leaf area (-0.529) and germination (r = -0.283). Plant height was found significantly positive correlated with leaf area (r= 0.456), germination percentage (r = 0.255) and weight of tubers per plant (r = 0.307). Leaf area (LA) showed positive significant correlation with number of tubers per plant (r = 0.466) and weight of tubers per plant (r = 0.263)., yield and harvest index (r = 0.798, 0.755, 0.255). Weight of tubers per lane (WTL) showed positive correlation with weight of tubers per plant (r = 0.387). Regarding the interrelation between the traits and genotypes, the first two principal component axes (PC1, 24.83% and PC2, 23.46%) accounted for about 48.29% of the total variability reflecting the complexity of the variation between the plotted traits of genotypes.

| Potato viruses like PVX (Potex virus X), PVY (Poty virus Y) and PLRV (genus Polerovirus, family Luteoviridae) cause significant yield loss of potato crop in the world including Pakistan. In this regard, 30 exotic potato genotypes were screened against the PVX, PVY and PLRV in field conditions during two seasons 2015-2016. Results showed that all the genotypes had resistance against PVX and PLRV however four genotypes (CIP-3, CIP-9, CIP-11 and CIP-14) were susceptible to PVY. Results regarding yield and tuber external quality showed that CIP-30 was taller genotype with medium number of tubers and shoots plant-1 while CIP-5 was a dwarf genotype with minimum tuber yield. Genotype CIP-6 produced more number of tuber plant-1 but CIP-22 followed by CIP-10 produced the highest tuber yield plant-1. Majority of genotypes produced round shape tuber with yellow, white skin color and cream flesh. Likewise, maximum genotypes had medium to shallow eye tubers except CIP-9 and CIP-13, which had deep eyed potato tubers. In short, genotypes CIP-3, CIP-9, CIP-11 and CIP-14 showed susceptibility to PVY virus. Among resistant genotypes, CIP-10 and CIP-22 possessed greater yield and could be suggested for commercial cultivation in Pakistan.

Nanotechnology is a vast field of science that plays a significant role in our daily life by providing a lot of advantages. It improves our feeding habits by preventing a lot of microbiological infections. Nanotechnology promises interesting changes for a better environment, for a better life. It provides a lot of advantages to improve health and wealth. Biosynthesis of nanoparticles is the green approach for the eco-friendly environment. It plays an important role in improving quality of products and life, for eco-friendly environment. Foodborne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites cause foodborne illness by ingesting the food contaminated by foodborne pathogens. This article reviews uses of different materials in advance field of smart nanotechnology, including bio-based packaging, improved packaging, intelligent packaging and active packaging. Silver, gold, zinc oxide, silicon dioxide are the inorganic nanoparticles which improve and extend the shelf life of fruits, vegetables and meat because of their unique properties such as oxygen exchange and retains the moisture and freshness in the food for a long period of time. It prevents the foodborne pathogens and thus providing eco-friendly packaging.

Sustainable production of food crops relies on germplasm improvement and genetic diversity. In the present study, seventy-four potato genotypes were evaluated for diversity analysis during autumn 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at NARC, Islamabad. Our results showed significant diversity in qualitative traits with reference to skin color of five types (Red, yellowish, brown, light yellow, light brown skin color tubers=5), three types of flesh color (Yellow, cream and white flesh color tubers=3), three sizes of tubers (Medium, small and large size tubers=3) and four shape of tuber (Oval, round, oblong, elliptic= 4 shapes) and four different eyes color (Brown, light brown, dark red and yellow eyes color=4). Potato genotype under study had very high genetic variance for quantitative attributes including weight of tuber per plant and weight number of tubers per lane, leaf area and plant height. Significant positive correlation was observed between number of tubers per plant (TPP) with number of eyes on tubers (r = 0.241) and number of tubers per lane (TPL) (r = 0.349). Plant height was found significantly positive correlated with leaf area (r= 0.456), germination percentage (r = 0.255) and weight of tubers per plant (r = 0.307). Leaf area (LA) showed positive significant correlation with number of tubers per plant (r = 0.466) and weight of tubers per plant (r = 0.263), yield and harvest index (r = 0.798, 0.755, 0.255). Weight of tubers per lane (WTL) showed positive correlation with weight of tubers per plant (r = 0.387). Regarding the interrelation between the traits and genotypes, the first two principal component axes (PC1, 24.83% and PC2, 23.46%) accounted for about 48.29% of the total variability reflecting the complexity of the variation between the plotted traits of genotypes. The present study will be useful for the precise selection for effective breeding program.