Superior leaf physiological performance contributes to sustaining the final yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes under terminal heat stress.

This study aimed to optimize methods for identifying heat-tolerant and heat-susceptible cotton plants by examining the relationship between leaf physiology and cotton yield. Cotton accessions were exposed to elevated temperatures through staggered sowing and controlled growth conditions in a glasshouse. Based on their yield performance, leaf physiology, cell biochemistry, and pollen germination, the accessions were categorized as heat-tolerant, moderately tolerant, or susceptible. High temperatures had a significant impact on various leaf physiological and biochemical factors, such as cell injury, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence, and enzyme activities. The germination of flower pollen and seed cotton yield was also affected. The study demonstrated that there was a genetic variability for heat tolerance among the tested cotton accessions, as indicated by the interaction between accession and environment. Leaf gas exchange, cell biochemistry, pollen germination, and cotton yield were strongly associated with heat-sensitive accessions, but this association was negligible in tolerant accessions. Principal component analysis was used to classify the accessions based on their performance under heat stress conditions. The findings suggest that leaf physiological traits, cell biochemistry, pollen germination, and cotton yield can be effective indicators for selecting heat-tolerant cotton lines. Future research could explore additional genetic traits for improved selection and development of heat-tolerant accessions. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-023-01322-8.

Dietary patterns of Pakistani adults and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics-a community based study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the dietary patterns and understand their association with sociodemographic characteristics among adults. METHODS: The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta cities of Pakistan from March to November 2018, after approval from the National Bioethics Committee, Islamabad, and comprised adults of either gender. Data was collected using the food frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the association of socio-demographic determinants with dietary patterns. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Parallel Analysis criterion (Eigen values) was determined along with Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS: Of the 448 subjects, 206(46%) were males and 242(54%) were females. The largest age group was 36-55 years 199(47.4%). Six dietary patterns were identified: "Vegetables", "Fruits", "Mixed Junk and Processed food", "Dairy and Fast food", "Discretionary" and "Fish". Regression analysis showed that those aged 36-55 years had higher scores for vegetables, fruit and fish pattern (p<0.05). Females scored more for vegetables, fish and fruits, and a significantly low score for discretionary diet pattern (p<0.05). Participants with high education level and socioeconomic status had raised scores for discretionary diet items (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Six distinct dietary patterns among Pakistani adults were identified, showing significant association with sociodemographic characteristics.