Abstract
In a sand culture experiment, the seed of the two cultivars (Hysun-33 and SF-187) were exposed to varying levels of nickel (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg Ni L-1). Nickel was applied using NiSO4 and mixed in Hoaglands nutrient solution prior to sowing. Data for various water relation parameters were recorded for five 7-day intervals. Results revealed that changed in water, osmotic and turgor potential more apparent at early growth stages as compared to adult stage. Moreover, osmotic potential was more drastically reduced under nickel stress as compared to water potential. Both sunflower hybrids showed turgor maintenance that indicated nickel tolerance potential of these hybrids. Overall, SF-187 showed less reduction in water potential and greater maintenance of turgor which was attributed to grater ability of this hybrid to accumulate compatible solutes like soluble sugars and proline.

Abstract
The major advantage of parboiled rice is accounted for reduced grain breakage during milling and does not mash after cooking resulting less loss of solids in cooking water. To induce long grain Basmati rice for parboiling purpose, dry dormant paddy seeds of Basmati 370, Basmati Pak and Super Basmati were exposed to 150, 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400 Gy doses of gamma rays at 13% moisture. In M1 generation, the radiation effects were studied on germination, seedling shoot and root lengths in the laboratory, and in the field on seedling emergence, plant height, spikelets per panicle and panicle fertility. No pronounced radiation effects were observed on germination. The seedling shoot and root lengths, and emergence showed detrimental effects particularly at higher doses. All the varieties showed dose dependent response to plant height, spikelets per panicle and panicle fertility. M2 populations of three Basmati varieties were raised. From the segregating populations, eight long grain mutants were isolated in Basmati Pak at 200 and 250 Gy doses. The results based on these studies are discussed.

Abstract
In order to enhance commercial production of mustard seed (Brassica juncea) in the tropics, varieties need to be bred that are high yielding, disease resistant and fully adapted to Nigerias tropical climate. Four distinct breeding lines of B. juncea obtained from an introduced accession of Indian origin were planted out in a randomized complete block design and characterized for plant height, number of seeds per pod, pod length, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, 1000-seed weight, and days to first flowering. Five qualitative traits including seed coat color, stem pigmentation, leaf shape, stem pubescence, and susceptibility to lodging were also observed. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the breeding lines for the morphological characters studied. High variation was observed for plant height, days to first flowering, leaf length and width, and number of seeds per pod. Pod length, number of branches, seed weight and petiole length exhibited the least variation. A number of characters were observed to be significantly correlated with one another, indicating some level of association among the traits studied. Further expansion of the B. juncea gene pool through introduction of exotic genotypes, mutation breeding and hybridization will increase the variation available to breeders for developing desired genotypes that will adapt optimally to the tropical environment.

Abstract
Members of family Cucurbitaceae possess either simple or branched tendrils that occupy lateral position with respect to other organs in the axil of the leaf. The transverse section of tendril shows five ridges alternating with five furrows. The distribution of tissues is same in all species. The vascular bundles are bicollateral. The vascular supply to the tendril suggested some relationship between the axillary flower and tendril and can be regarded as a modified first lateral branch of the floral axis. The similarity in the anatomy of the basal part of the flower and that of the tendril imply support this conclusion.