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Mumtaz Cheema

    Mumtaz Cheema

    Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most important cash crops primarily grown for fiber. It is a perennial crop with indeterminate growth pattern. Nitrogen (N) is extremely important for vegetative growth as balanced N-nutrition... more
    Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most important cash crops primarily grown for fiber. It is a perennial crop with indeterminate growth pattern. Nitrogen (N) is extremely important for vegetative growth as balanced N-nutrition improves photosynthesis, resulting in better vegetative growth. Excessive N-supply results in more vegetative growth, which increases the incidence of insect pest and diseases’ infestation, pollute surface and ground water, delays maturity and produces low crop yield with poor quality. The use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) is an emerging option to control excessive vegetative growth. The PGRs help in improving plant architecture, boll retention, boll opening, yield and quality by altering growth and physiological processes such as photosynthesis, assimilate partitioning and nutrients dynamic inside the plant body. Mepiquat chloride (1,1-dimethylpiperidinum chloride) is globally used PGR for canopy development and control of excessive vegetative ...
    Boreal forests across Canada and other geographic areas globally have vast networks or densities of seismic lines, pipelines, access roads, utility corridors, and multipurpose trails collectively termed “linear disturbances” or “linear... more
    Boreal forests across Canada and other geographic areas globally have vast networks or densities of seismic lines, pipelines, access roads, utility corridors, and multipurpose trails collectively termed “linear disturbances” or “linear features.” Additionally, large areas of disturbances attributed to resource harvesting represent a major anthropogenic impact on the global boreal forest ecosystem. Restoration of these disturbed areas is currently a significant component of global boreal forest management strategies. A key to successful restoration or re-vegetation of these disturbed sites is the availability of highly adaptive native planting materials to grow and establish on the disturbed sites, particularly in varying abiotic stressors or severe environmental conditions. Abiotic stress includes non-living environmental factors, including salinity, drought, waterlogging or extreme temperatures, adversely affecting plant growth, development, and establishment on field sites. Herein...
    Soil microbes play an essential role in the biodegradation of crustacean shells, which is the process of sustainable bioconversion to chitin derivatives ultimately resulting in the promotion of plant growth properties. While a number of... more
    Soil microbes play an essential role in the biodegradation of crustacean shells, which is the process of sustainable bioconversion to chitin derivatives ultimately resulting in the promotion of plant growth properties. While a number of microorganisms with chitinolytic properties have been characterized, little is known about the microbial taxa that participate in this process either by active chitin degradation or by facilitation of this activity through nutritional cooperation and composting with the chitinolytic microorganisms. In this study, we evaluated the transformation of the soil microbiome triggered by close approximation to the green crab shell surface. Our data indicate that the microbial community associated with green crab shell matter undergoes significant specialized changes, which was reflected in a decreased fungal and bacterial Shannon diversity and evenness and in a dramatic alteration in the community composition. The relative abundance of several bacterial and ...
    Chilling stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which hinder seedling emergence and growth. Herein, we investigated the effects of chilling/low temperature stress on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes of two... more
    Chilling stress is one of the major abiotic stresses which hinder seedling emergence and growth. Herein, we investigated the effects of chilling/low temperature stress on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical attributes of two silage corn genotypes during the seedling establishment phase. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber, and silage corn seedlings of Yukon-R and A4177G-RIB were grown at optimum temperature up to V3 stage and then subjected to five temperature regimes (25 °C as control, 20 °C, 15 °C, 10 °C, and 5 °C) for 5 days. After the temperature treatment, the morphological, physiological, and biochemical parameters were recorded. Results indicated that temperatures of 15 °C and lower significantly affected seedling growth, photosynthesis system, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Changes in seedlings’ growth parameters were in the order of 25 °C > 20 °C > 15 °C > 10 °C > 5 °C, irrespective of ge...
    Soybean is one of the most cultivated crops globally and a staple food for much of the world's population. The annual global crop losses due to infection by the Phytophthora sojae are currently estimated at approximately $2B USD, yet... more
    Soybean is one of the most cultivated crops globally and a staple food for much of the world's population. The annual global crop losses due to infection by the Phytophthora sojae are currently estimated at approximately $2B USD, yet we have limited understanding of the role of lipid metabolism in the adaptative strategies used to limit infection and crop loss. We employed a multi-modal lipidomics approach to investigate how soybean cultivars remodel their lipid metabolism to successfully limit infection by Phytophthora sojae. Both the tolerant and susceptible soybean cultivars showed alterations in lipid metabolism in response to Phytophthora sojae infection. Relative to non-inoculated controls, induced accumulation of stigmasterol was observed in the susceptible cultivar whereas, induced accumulation of phospholipids and glycerolipids occurred in tolerant soybean cultivar. We have generated a comprehensive metabolic map of susceptible and tolerant soybean root and stem lipid m...
    Soybean is one of the most cultivated crops globally and a staple food for much of the world’s population. The annual global crop losses due to infection by the Phytophthora sojae are currently estimated at approximately $2B USD, yet we... more
    Soybean is one of the most cultivated crops globally and a staple food for much of the world’s population. The annual global crop losses due to infection by the Phytophthora sojae are currently estimated at approximately $2B USD, yet we have limited understanding of the role of lipid metabolism in the adaptative strategies used to limit infection and crop loss. We employed a multi-modal lipidomics approach to investigate how soybean cultivars remodel their lipid metabolism to successfully limit infection by Phytophthora sojae. Both the tolerant and susceptible soybean cultivars showed alterations in lipid metabolism in response to Phytophthora sojae infection. Relative to non-inoculated controls, induced accumulation of stigmasterol was observed in the susceptible cultivar whereas, induced accumulation of phospholipids and glycerolipids occurred in tolerant soybean cultivar. We have generated a comprehensive metabolic map of susceptible and tolerant soybean root and stem lipid metab...
    Being a macronutrient, phosphorus (P) is the backbone to complete the growth cycle of plants. However, because of low mobility and high fixation, P becomes the least available nutrient in podzolic soils; hence, enhancing phosphorus use... more
    Being a macronutrient, phosphorus (P) is the backbone to complete the growth cycle of plants. However, because of low mobility and high fixation, P becomes the least available nutrient in podzolic soils; hence, enhancing phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) can play an important role in different cropping systems/crop production practices to meet ever-increasing demands in food, fiber, and fuel. Additionally, the rapidly decreasing mineral phosphate rocks/stocks forced to explore alternative resources and methods to enhance PUE either through improved seed P reserves and their remobilization, P acquisition efficiency (PAE), or plant's internal P utilization efficiency (IPUE) or both for sustainable P management strategies. The objective of this review article is to explore and document important domains to enhance PUE in crop plants grown on Podzol in a boreal agroecosystem. We have discussed P availabilities in podzolic soils, root architecture and morphology, root exudates, phospha...
    This data in brief article represents the data set associated with a research article published in Geoderma [1]. The data set represents figures showing the spatial distribution of selected macro and micronutrients, and their... more
    This data in brief article represents the data set associated with a research article published in Geoderma [1]. The data set represents figures showing the spatial distribution of selected macro and micronutrients, and their quantification in different crop or nutrient management systems practiced in the boreal ecosystem. Spatial distribution of nutrients was measured by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‒ICP‒MS), using the new techniques we developed to visualize nutrient distribution in intact soil cores representative of the root rhizosphere. This data article supports the findings published in the main article [1]. This work also demonstrates that LA-ICP-MS is a valuable technique to image the spatial distribution of macro and micronutrients in intact soil cores as affected by different crop management practices.
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Organic waste management in environmentally sustainable way is important not only to reduce the negative impacts on ecosystems but also valorizing the waste resources. Herein we evaluated the potential of wood... more
    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Organic waste management in environmentally sustainable way is important not only to reduce the negative impacts on ecosystems but also valorizing the waste resources. Herein we evaluated the potential of wood ash (WA) and paper sludge (PS) wastes from a pulp and paper mill as potting media and their effects on the physicochemical properties of podzolic soil. METHODS WA, PS and biochar (BC) was mixed in different combinations with a sandy loam podzolic soil. Potting media treatments included: T1-soil (negative control); T2-PromixTM (positive control); T3-50%soil+50%WA; T4-75%soil+25%WA; T5-50%soil+50%PS; T6-75%soil+25%PS; T7-75%soil+25%BC; T8-25%soil+50%WA+25%BC; T9-50%soil+25%WA+25%BC; T10-25%soil+50%PS+25%BC; T11-50%soil+25%PS+25%BC, T12- 25%soil+25%WA+25%PS+25%BC and replicated three times. RESULTS Potting media treatments expressed significant (p < 0.00) effects on pH, bulk density, total porosity, field capacity, plant available water (PAW) and water retention curves. Potting media amended with WA showed high pH range (8-12) while PS amendments exhibited pH in range where most plant nutrients are available (6.5-7.5). Results depicted significantly lower bulk density, and increased total porosity and water holding capacity of potting media amended with WA and PS. BC addition further enhanced the water retention properties compared to combinations without BC. T6, T10 and T11 produced higher amounts of PAW with desired pH compared to T1 and T2. CONCLUSION WA, PS and BC showed high potential for developing podzolic soil-based potting media, but their effects on plant growth and elemental uptake need to be investigated.
    Considering the increased interests in biochar (BC) as a soil amendment and a growing media substrate in agriculture, we evaluated the effect of BC incorporation on TDR (time-domain reflectometer)-based volumetric soil moisture content... more
    Considering the increased interests in biochar (BC) as a soil amendment and a growing media substrate in agriculture, we evaluated the effect of BC incorporation on TDR (time-domain reflectometer)-based volumetric soil moisture content (VSMC) estimations in a loamy sand podzolic soil. Two commercial BC types (powdered—BCP, and granular—BCG) were mixed in different rates (w/w) with a podzolic soil. The dielectric constants measured using a TDR cable tester (MOHR CT 100) were converted to VSMC. Three commonly used models: (i) Topp’s equation, M-1; (ii) mixing model, M-2; and (iii) the forest soil model, M-3, were used. The accuracy of the estimated VSMC using these three models was statistically compared with measured VSMC. BCP at lower rates produced very similar results to the actual VSMC with M-1 and M-2 but deviated with increasing rates. The M-3 showed a non-linear relationship with measured VSMC. In BCG treatments, all models overestimated the VSMC. BCG rates higher than 15% (w/...
    Lipids are important biomolecules in all biological systems and serve numerous essential cellular functions. The global analysis of complex lipids is very challenging due to the extreme diversity in lipid structures. Variation in linkages... more
    Lipids are important biomolecules in all biological systems and serve numerous essential cellular functions. The global analysis of complex lipids is very challenging due to the extreme diversity in lipid structures. Variation in linkages and positions of fatty acyl chain(s) on the lipid backbone, functional group modification, occurrence of the molecular species as isomers or isobars are among some of the greatest challenges to resolve in lipidomics. In this work, we describe a routine analytical approach combining two liquid chromatography platforms: hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) and C30 reversed-phase chromatography (C30RP) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) as complementary high throughput platforms to analyze complex lipid mixtures. Vascular plants (kale leaves and corn roots), rat brain and soil microbes were used as proxies to evaluate the efficiency of the enhanced approach to resolve traditional, as well as, modified lipids during routine lipidomics analy...
    One of the main environmental issues associated with the blue mussel processing industry is the production of mussel sediments. However, this waste product can be used as a source of nutrients and soil amendment in agriculture. Sediments... more
    One of the main environmental issues associated with the blue mussel processing industry is the production of mussel sediments. However, this waste product can be used as a source of nutrients and soil amendment in agriculture. Sediments collected bi-weekly from the pool of a washing line of Prince Edward Aqua Farms in eastern Canada were analyzed for the consistency of macronutrient contents over time and nutrient availability using a grass and a vegetable crop. During the one-year period, macronutrient contents including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium followed different time-dependent patterns, yet levels remained high and consistent to meet crop needs. For annual ryegrass and tomato, shoot and root productions were increased with applications of mussel sediments, but not at the same extent as with synthetic fertilizers alone or mixture of mussel sediments and synthetic fertilizers. Macronutrients uptake by both test plants followed the same pattern as shoot and root production. Plant biomass production and uptake of macronutrients indicate the significant potential of this waste material in agriculture and demonstrate the feasibility of the application of mussel sediments as a source of nutrients. This is one of the first scientific works with mussel sediments as a source of nutrients and more results are expected with a range of other crops, thereby contributing to a series of studies in this field. The present study is of great importance to the blue mussel processing industry and to agriculture in Prince Edwards Islands because it contributes to the efforts of the industry to look for new and environmentally-friendly methods of refuse management. The study also provides local farmers' with scientific evidences on the nutrient-rich waste products, thereby reducing excessive mineral fertilizer use in conventional agriculture and offering an alternative source of nutrients in organic agriculture with limited access to organic nutrient sources.
    Abstract: An experiment was carried out using an upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cv. NIAB-78 to investigate the physiological and biochemical aspects of seed deterioration during accelerated ageing. The seeds were subjected to 40-44... more
    Abstract: An experiment was carried out using an upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cv. NIAB-78 to investigate the physiological and biochemical aspects of seed deterioration during accelerated ageing. The seeds were subjected to 40-44 C and 90-95% relative ...
    Linola crop has potential to substitute the indigenous linseed crop due to its high quality edible oil and to its ability to grow well on rain and canal irrigated areas. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for growth and... more
    Linola crop has potential to substitute the indigenous linseed crop due to its high quality edible oil and to its ability to grow well on rain and canal irrigated areas. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for growth and development. A field study was carried out at ...
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY 1560–8530/2002/04–2–303–306 http://www.ijab.org ... Effect of Priming and Growth Regulator Treatments on ... Emergence and Seedling Growth of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) ... IRFAN AFZAL,... more
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE & BIOLOGY 1560–8530/2002/04–2–303–306 http://www.ijab.org ... Effect of Priming and Growth Regulator Treatments on ... Emergence and Seedling Growth of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) ... IRFAN AFZAL, SHAHZAD MA BASRA, ...
    ... Yield and Quality of Ricebean HAMRAZ KHAN,MUHAMMAD ASGHAR MALIK,MFARAKH SALEEM,MUMTAZ AKHTAR CHEEMA AND ABRAR AHMAD Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad–38040, Pakistan ... Khan, I., A. Zubair and B.A. Malik,... more
    ... Yield and Quality of Ricebean HAMRAZ KHAN,MUHAMMAD ASGHAR MALIK,MFARAKH SALEEM,MUMTAZ AKHTAR CHEEMA AND ABRAR AHMAD Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad–38040, Pakistan ... Khan, I., A. Zubair and B.A. Malik, 1988. ...
    ... toria to planting density, nitrogen and sulphur. Ind. 1. Agron. 29(4): 539-542. Singh, SM, DR Dahiya and RP Singh. 1985. ... J. Oilseeds Res. 6(2): 349-352. Singh, D., JS Deol, P. Singh, D. Singh, P. Singh, GS Dhaliwal, A. Arora, NS... more
    ... toria to planting density, nitrogen and sulphur. Ind. 1. Agron. 29(4): 539-542. Singh, SM, DR Dahiya and RP Singh. 1985. ... J. Oilseeds Res. 6(2): 349-352. Singh, D., JS Deol, P. Singh, D. Singh, P. Singh, GS Dhaliwal, A. Arora, NS Randhawa and AK Dhawan, 1998. ...
    Phosphorus deficiency is a serious concern for agriculture productivity around the globe. It readily forms insoluble compounds by reacting with calcium after addition to calcareous soils. We evaluated six Brassica cultivars for P... more
    Phosphorus deficiency is a serious concern for agriculture productivity around the globe. It readily forms insoluble compounds by reacting with calcium after addition to calcareous soils. We evaluated six Brassica cultivars for P utilization from mono-ammonium phosphate (a soluble source) ...
    Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil adversely affects crop productivity, grain quality, and human health. Applications of boron (B) and biochar are known to impart tolerance to crops against abiotic stresses. A pot experiment was performed... more
    Cadmium (Cd) contamination in soil adversely affects crop productivity, grain quality, and human health. Applications of boron (B) and biochar are known to impart tolerance to crops against abiotic stresses. A pot experiment was performed to assess the effects of the sole and combined application of B and biochar on growth, physiological and antioxidant defense mechanisms, yield, and grain quality of wheat under Cd toxicity-induced stress. The treatments included control (0 mg kg−1 and 0 g kg−1), only Cd (15 mg kg−1), only B (5 g kg−1), only biochar (50 g kg−1), B plus biochar, Cd plus B, Cd plus biochar, and Cd plus B plus biochar, which were applied at the time of sowing and were arranged using completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. The individual Cd toxicity (15 mg kg−1) significantly reduced chl a, chl b, and chl a+b, as well as primary metabolites (soluble protein, amino acids, total soluble sugar, and phenolic contents), while it increased the activities of...
    Water stress is a major limiting factor for sunflower production in the arid and semi arid regions in the world. A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of different planting pattern and irrigation levels on growth and yield... more
    Water stress is a major limiting factor for sunflower production in the arid and semi arid regions in the world. A field experiment was conducted to assess the impact of different planting pattern and irrigation levels on growth and yield of spring planted sunflower. Four planting patterns (P1 = 60 cm spaced single row flat sowing, P2 = 60 cm spaced single row ridge sowing, P3 = 90 cm spaced double row strip flat sowing, P4 = 90 cm spaced double row bed sowing) and four irrigation levels (I0 = normal irrigations, I1 = irrigation skipped at pre-anthesis stage, I2 = irrigation skipped at anthesis stage, I3 = irrigation skipped at post-anthesis stage) were used. Maximum LAI and CGR were recorded at P2, whereas post anthesis stress treatment produced maximum crop growth. Maximum value of NAR was observed at P3 treatment and at anthesis stress. Highest achene yield (kg ha -1 ) was recorded at P2I0 (38% more yield than P3I1) treatment.
    Two field experiments were conducted at the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, Pakistan during autumn, 2003 and spring, 2004 to document relationship of heat units accumulation and fatty acid composition in sunflower hybrids.... more
    Two field experiments were conducted at the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi, Pakistan during autumn, 2003 and spring, 2004 to document relationship of heat units accumulation and fatty acid composition in sunflower hybrids. Five sunflower hybrids (Super-25, Parsun-1, SMH-9706, Award and Hysun-33) were sown on ten planting dates both in autumn and spring. Experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements replicated four times. Planting dates were kept in main plots and hybrids in subplots. Sunflower hybrids exhibited significant differences for heat units accumulation and fatty acid composition. During autumn, amongst hybrids Hysun-33 accumulated the maximum heat units which was statistically significant from rest of the hybrids. During autumn, amongst hybrids Hysun-33 performed better for oleic acid while Award remained at the top for palmatic and linoleic acid. However, during spring, Super-25 accumulated the highest linoleic acid...
    Canola crop is substituting the indigenous rape and mustard crops due to its high quality edible oil and to its ability to grow well on rain and canal irrigated areas. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for growth and... more
    Canola crop is substituting the indigenous rape and mustard crops due to its high quality edible oil and to its ability to grow well on rain and canal irrigated areas. Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients for growth and development. A two-years field study (Nov. 2001-April 2003) was carried out to determine optimum N level and stage of its application for canola crop under irrigated conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Five N levels (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg ha) were maintained at different times i.e., full N at sowing, 1⁄2 N at sowing +1⁄2 N at branching, 1⁄2 N at sowing + 1⁄2 N at flowering and 1⁄2 N at branching + 1⁄2 N at flowering. The total dry matter (TDM), crop growth rate (CGR), leaf area duration (LAD), seed yield, oil yield and protein content were significantly affected by different nitrogen rates. The highest N level (120 kg ha) produced maximum values for all these traits as compared to minimum in control during both years of study. Time of nitrogen applicati...
    Article history: Received 01 Jul., 2010 Accepted 28 Oct., 2010 Canola is a significant oilseed crop adapted to Pakistan. Often sulphur and nitrogen limited the crop growth, yield and quality. Studies were carried out to assess the... more
    Article history: Received 01 Jul., 2010 Accepted 28 Oct., 2010 Canola is a significant oilseed crop adapted to Pakistan. Often sulphur and nitrogen limited the crop growth, yield and quality. Studies were carried out to assess the influence of different levels of sulphur (0, 20, 40, 60 kg ha -1 ) and nitrogen (0, 40, 80, 120 kg ha -1 ) fertilization. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement consisting of three replications and data regarding various growth and yield parameters of canola were recorded using the standard procedures. The results revealed that increasing rate of sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) enhanced leaf area index (LAI) and crop growth rate (CGR). The highest seed yield (3406.21 kg ha -1 ) was obtained in T6 (60 kg ha -1 P and 120 kg ha -1 N) followed by T5 (40 kg ha -1 S and 120 kg ha -1 N) treatment which gave 3388.91 kg ha -1 seed yield while minimum seed yield (1417.02 kg ha -1 ) was recorded in case of control i.e...
    Delay in wheat sowing in rice-wheat cropping system is perhaps the one of the major factors responsible for low crop yield. This reduction in yield is due to the sub-optimal temperature during the germination, stand establishment and... more
    Delay in wheat sowing in rice-wheat cropping system is perhaps the one of the major factors responsible for low crop yield. This reduction in yield is due to the sub-optimal temperature during the germination, stand establishment and supra-optimal during the reproductive growth. In this study, performance of wheat cultivars (viz. Lasani-2008, Faisalabad-2008, Shafaq2006, Sahar-2006 & Inqlab-91) sown on November 10 and December 10 was evaluated. Crop emergence was impaired when sowing was delayed owing to low temperature prevailing during stand establishment, which resulted in poor stand establishment and reduced the number of productive tillers and ultimately the final yield. With delay in planting, high temperature (32-39oC) at reproductive stage during March and April reduced the patterns of dry matter accumulation as was evident from decrease yield related traits and the final yield. Nonetheless an increase in grain protein contents was observed in late sown crop. To conclude cul...
    ... Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer application on maize fodder production. Asian J. Plant Sci., 3: 375–377 Olaoye, G., A. Menkir, SO Ajala and S. Jacob, 2009. ... Agron. J., 98: 94–99 Velthof, GL, PJ Kuikman and O. Oenema,... more
    ... Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer application on maize fodder production. Asian J. Plant Sci., 3: 375–377 Olaoye, G., A. Menkir, SO Ajala and S. Jacob, 2009. ... Agron. J., 98: 94–99 Velthof, GL, PJ Kuikman and O. Oenema, 2003. ...
    Oil contents of canola are largely influenced by temperature fluctuations. Longer reproductive phase and cooler temperature at the time of seed development stage of crop is favorable for good quality oil. Three field experiments were... more
    Oil contents of canola are largely influenced by temperature fluctuations. Longer reproductive phase and cooler temperature at the time of seed development stage of crop is favorable for good quality oil. Three field experiments were conducted one each at the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi (UAAR), Groundnut Research Station (GRS), Attock and Barani Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Chakwal, to ascertain the effects of environmental variation on oil content and fatty acid of Canola cultivars. Eight canola cultivars were sown in a randomized complete block design in a net plot size of 5 x 2.7 m. At maturity two central rows were harvested to obtain seeds for chemical analysis. Seeds were analyzed for oil contents (%), fatty acid profile and glucosinolate content (µg g -1 ) by NMR and colorimetric methods. Results revealed significant differences amongst cultivars, locations and their interaction for oil content and fatty acid profile. The seeds produced at Attock acc...
    Mushrooms have long rich history in folk medicine, traditional and functional foods due to high content of dietary myco-nutrients. Currently, there is increased interest in finding appropriate food-grade green ex-traction systems capable... more
    Mushrooms have long rich history in folk medicine, traditional and functional foods due to high content of dietary myco-nutrients. Currently, there is increased interest in finding appropriate food-grade green ex-traction systems capable of extracting these bioactive compounds from dietary mushrooms for applica-tions in various food, pharmacological or nutraceutical formulations. Herein, we evaluated a modified Swiss water process (SWP) method using alkaline and acidic pH at low and high temperature under pressurized conditions as a suitable green food grade solvent to obtained extracts enriched with my-co-nutrients (dietary phenolics, total antioxidants (TAA), vitamins, and minerals) from Chaga. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution accurate mass tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRAMS-MS/MS) was used to assess the phenolic compounds and vitamin levels in the extracts, while inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine ...
    Due to climate change, temperature in late February and early March raised up which cause heat stress at reproductive stage (terminal growth phase of wheat crop) which has become the major causative factor towards low wheat production in... more
    Due to climate change, temperature in late February and early March raised up which cause heat stress at reproductive stage (terminal growth phase of wheat crop) which has become the major causative factor towards low wheat production in arid and semiarid regions. Therefore; strategies need to be adopted for improving terminal heat stress tolerance in wheat. In this study, we assessed whether foliar application of silicon (Si) (2 and 4 mM) at terminal growth phase i.e. heading stage of wheat imposed to heat stress (37 ± 2 °C) under polythene tunnel could improve the performance of wheat. Results of the study revealed that heat stress significantly reduced the photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and a + b and carotenoids) leading to a lower grain yield. However, a 4 mM Si application (foliar applied) at heading stage prominently increased the chlorophyll a, b and a + b and carotenoids of flag leaf by improving the activities of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, peroxidase and s...
    ... 1 AND MUHMMAD SAQIB† ... maize seedling response varies with respect to its growth rate at different field capacities of soil and accumulates a variety of compatible solutes such as proline and betaine, an adaptive mechanism of... more
    ... 1 AND MUHMMAD SAQIB† ... maize seedling response varies with respect to its growth rate at different field capacities of soil and accumulates a variety of compatible solutes such as proline and betaine, an adaptive mechanism of tolerance to salinity and drought (Farooq et al ...
    Silicon (Si) is known to be a beneficial element that involved in improving the growth of many crops. It was hypothesized that effective source and optimized rate of soil applied Si could promote the growth of the wheat under normal... more
    Silicon (Si) is known to be a beneficial element that involved in improving the growth of many crops. It was hypothesized that effective source and optimized rate of soil applied Si could promote the growth of the wheat under normal condition. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effective source and best level of soil applied Si on the growth of the wheat seedling. Experiment was comprised of three silicon sources (sodium silicate, calcium silicate and silicic acid) and four concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg kg -1 ). Wheat plants were harvested 40 days after sowing and evaluation was made on the basis of different morphological characteristics of the plants. Results revealed that soil applied Si improved the growth of wheat plant when compared to control. Significantly the higher shoot and root length, their fresh and dry weights, shoot: root ratio, total plant biomass was obtained when 100 and 150 mg kg -1 Si applied from Ca-silicate. However, these two levels were at par with...
    Currently, there is increased interest in finding appropriate food-grade green extraction systems capable of extracting these bioactive compounds from dietary mushrooms for applications in various food, pharmacological, or nutraceutical... more
    Currently, there is increased interest in finding appropriate food-grade green extraction systems capable of extracting these bioactive compounds from dietary mushrooms for applications in various food, pharmacological, or nutraceutical formulations. Herein, we evaluated a modified Swiss water process (SWP) method using alkaline and acidic pH at low and high temperature under pressurized conditions as a suitable green food grade solvent to obtained extracts enriched with myco-nutrients (dietary phenolics, total antioxidants (TAA), vitamins, and minerals) from Chaga. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution accurate mass tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRAMS-MS/MS) was used to assess the phenolic compounds and vitamin levels in the extracts, while inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the mineral contents. Over 20 phenolic compounds were quantitatively evaluated in the extracts and the highest total phenolic content...
    Intercropping systems could be a potential source of nutrient-rich forage production in cool climates on podzolic soils common in boreal ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of corn–soybean intercropping (IC) on the... more
    Intercropping systems could be a potential source of nutrient-rich forage production in cool climates on podzolic soils common in boreal ecosystems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of corn–soybean intercropping (IC) on the nutritional quality of forage. Two silage corn varieties were cultivated as monocropping (MC) or were intercropped with three forage soybean varieties using a randomized complete block design. IC significantly increased the crude protein (22%) and decreased the acid detergent (14%) and neutral detergent (6%) fibers. Forage net energy, total digestible nutrients, ash, dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and relative feed value were also significantly increased (p ≤ 0.05) in the IC treatments compared to corn MC. The macro and micro nutrients were higher in IC than corn MC. Intercropping increased the omega 3 fatty acid (FA) contents (67%) compared to corn MC. IC also increased the active microbial community in the plant root zone, which may contribute ...

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