Muhammad Amir Maqbool - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Muhammad Amir Maqbool

Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands and encounter the problem of erratic rainfall that cau... more Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands and encounter the problem of erratic rainfall that causes lack of water availability especially at terminal growth stages. Forty advanced chickpea genotypes were grown under irrigated, rainfed and tunnel conditions for two years (2012-13 and 2013-14). Data were collected for seed yield and analyzed by analysis of variance. Highly significant differences among genotypes and water treatments were observed for seed yield. However, across the year differences were insignificant for seed yield of chickpea. Seed yield under rainfed was higher than under irrigated conditions. Forty genotypes were assembled in four distinct groups on the basis of PCA biplot for different drought tolerance indices. These four distinct groups were representative of genotypic performance under normal and stressed conditions. Twenty eight SSR primers were used for sortation of genotypes either as drought tolerant or susceptible and to find association with results of d...

Chickpea is an important legume crop and grown mainly on the marginal lands in Pakistan. Insuffic... more Chickpea is an important legume crop and grown mainly on the marginal lands in Pakistan. Insufficient and erratic water availability is severe problem for this crop. Hence, breeding chickpea for low moisture stress tolerance is absolutely important in this era of climate change. Research work was started with evaluation of mini core collection of 450 chickpea lines and 42 lines were retained after three years of selection under different water treatments. These 42 lines were used in current study for evaluation and further selection under three water treatments. Detailed study on these lines was conducted under irrigated, rainfed and tunnel conditions (no rainfall and irrigation) during 2012-13 and 2013-14. Data were collected for yield and yield components which were subjected to analysis of variance and GGE biplot analysis. Analysis showed highly significant differences among lines for all traits under study. Mean comparison showed less differences between irrigated and rainfed co...

Mungbean is considered as cash crop because of valuable nutritional profile, short growing season... more Mungbean is considered as cash crop because of valuable nutritional profile, short growing season and soil fertility restoration. Usually it is grown on marginal lands in both growing seasons in Pakistan (rabi and kharif). Marginal areas remain deficient in inputs needed to provide optimum conditions to developing plants. Moisture deficiency is one of the major threats amongst prevailing stresses especially during kharif season in Pakistan. It is mandatory to grow drought tolerant mungbean genotypes to minimize the adverse effect of drought. In present study 17 mungbean genotypes were screened for drought tolerance at seedling stage and to find out best selection criterion against drought conditions. Shoot length (SL), root length (RL), root shoot ratio (R/S), stem diameter (S.D), shoot weight (SW), dead leaf %age (DL%), dead over normal leaf ratio (DL/NL), emergence %age (E%) and energy of emergence (EE) were studied. Line graph, biplot graph and principle component analysis were u...

Journal of Agricultural Research, 2015

A complete 6 x 6 diallel mating design was followed to assess the genetic components for differen... more A complete 6 x 6 diallel mating design was followed to assess the genetic components for different traits in maize (Zea mays L.). Parents and F1 generations were sown in RCBD with three replications in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2012. The data regarding plant height, leaf area, number of kernels per ear, stomatal size, stomatal frequency, leaf venation and 100-grain weight in maize were recorded at maturity to assess the genetic components and combining abilities. Analysis of variance was done to assess the significance of genetic differences among genotypes. Graphical approach used for diallel studies showed that most of the traits studied were under control of additive gene action. Plant height, leaf area, stomatal frequency and stomatal size were found under control of non-additive gene action. Whereas ear diameter, ear length, number of kernels per ear, number of kernels per row, leaf venation and 100-gra...

Plant Breeding, 2021

Maize is among the most important cereal crops across the world. The role of maize as a staple cr... more Maize is among the most important cereal crops across the world. The role of maize as a staple crop in Africa is comparable with wheat and rice in Asia (Nuss & Tanumihardjo, 2011). Maize along with wheat and rice providing around 30% of food calories to more than 4.5 billion people in 94 developing countries. Among these consumers, about 900 million belong to poor families. In many regions of Africa and Mesoamerica, maize is contributing more than 20% of food calories (Babu & Prasanna, 2014). Role of maize in terms of calorie share for human consumption is significantly variable across the regions (Shiferaw et al., 2011). This proportion of consumption ranges from 4% in South Asia to 29% in Andean region to 61% in Mesoamerica. Maize is a major food crop in Sub-Saharan Africa which is accounting for 64% of total demand in Western & Central Africa (WCA) and 73% of total demand in Eastern & Southern Africa (ESA). These statistics declare that maize is an important crop to ensure the food and nutritional security for poor communities

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2019

Maize (Zea mays L.) is short duration, high yielding crop, and it can be grown in both spring and... more Maize (Zea mays L.) is short duration, high yielding crop, and it can be grown in both spring and kharif seasons in Pakistan. In current study white and yellow maize germplasms were compared for correlations and genetic variability based on different agronomic traits to define selection criteria for maize improvement. Significant differences were observed for yield and related components for entries, checks, all tested genotypes, yellow and white germplasm. Yellow maize genotypes showed higher yield potential compared to white maize genotypes because of more grains per row and number of rows per cob. Based on correlation and path coefficient analysis, yield per plant was proved as appropriate selection criteria for white maize whereas, yield per plant and grains per row were suitable selection criteria for genetic improvement of yellow maize. Total carotenoid contents of yellow maize were independent of the yield so, both can be simultaneously targeted for genetic improvement withou...

BMC Plant Biology, 2020

Background Chickpea is one of the major legume crops being cultivated in the arid and semi-arid r... more Background Chickpea is one of the major legume crops being cultivated in the arid and semi-arid regions of Pakistan. It is mainly grown on the marginal areas where, terminal drought stress is one of the serious threats to its productivity. For defining the appropriate selection criteria for screening drought tolerant chickpea genotypes, present study was conducted. Distinct chickpea germplasm was collected from different pulses breeding institutes of Pakistan and evaluated for drought tolerance at germination and early seedling stages, furthermore, at late vegetative growth stages physiochemical traits and multi-environment yield performance were also tested. Results Chickpea genotypes under different environments, were significantly varied for different seedling traits, physio-chemical attributes and seed yield. Genotypes showing drought tolerance by performing better at an early seedling stages were not correspondingly high yielding. Screening for drought tolerance on seed yield b...

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 2017

A three year study with the objective of exploring the possible role of different sowing dates an... more A three year study with the objective of exploring the possible role of different sowing dates and cotton genotypes on seed cotton yield, fiber quality and virus attack was conducted at the Cotton Research Station (CRS), Multan, Pakistan during three consecutive years (2006, 2007 and 2008). Two cotton genotypes namely: MNH-6070 and CIM-496 were sown on five different sowing dates (15th April, 1st May, 15th May, 1st June and 15th June) during the three consecutive years (2006, 2007 and 2008). The analyzed data indicated that early sown cotton (15th April) resulted in low virus attack (21.06%) and enhanced seed cotton yield (1575%), together with yield components (number of bolls per plant and boll weight), and improved fiber quality (staple length and micronaire) during all the three years as compared with late sown crop (15th June). Likewise, MNH-6070 also resulted in low virus attack (45.79%) and higher seed cotton yield (117.19%), as well as yield components. Regarding fiber quality, MNH-6070 resulted in higher micronarie, while CIM-496 resulted in higher staple length. Early sowing and cotton genotype MNH-6070 also resulted in maximum ginning out turn (GOT). Nonetheless, seed cotton yield and fiber quality were both negatively affected due to late sowing (1st and 15th of June) in both cotton genotypes. In crux, early sowing enhanced seed cotton yield due to increased number of bolls per plant, boll weight and low virus attack. Similarly, cotton genotype MNH-6070 also resulted to higher seed cotton yield, GOT and more resistance against virus attack due to its better genetic makeup. In summary, cotton genotype MNH-6070 should be sown on 15th April in order to obtain maximum seed cotton yield under agro-climatic conditions of Multan, Pakistan.

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2017

Lentil is very important legume crop and affected by salinity stress. This study was planned to s... more Lentil is very important legume crop and affected by salinity stress. This study was planned to sort out the lentil germplasm for salinity tolerance. Four different salinity treatments were used (S0mM, S50mM, S100mM, S150mM) in hydroponic culture and root length (RL), shoot length (SL), root weight (RW), shoot weight (SW), total proteins contents (PC), α-amylase (A.A), total soluble sugars (TSS) sodium ions (Na +), potassium ions (K +) and sodium to potassium ratio (Na + /K +) were used as criteria for selection. Principle component analysis (PCA) based biplot, rank sum (RS) scores, integrated selection index (ISI) and integrated scoring (IS) were used as statistical analysis for sortation of lentil genotypes for salinity tolerance and to compare the results of different indices with each other and with PCA based biplot. Analysis of variance showed that genotypes, salinity treatments and their interactions for all subjected traits were significantly different from each other. PCA based biplot showed that

Plant Breeding, 2018

Vitamin A deficiency is widely prevailing in children and women of developing countries. Deficien... more Vitamin A deficiency is widely prevailing in children and women of developing countries. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness, growth retardation, xerophthalmia and increases the susceptibility against epidemic diseases. Among different interventions of overcoming malnutrition, biofortification is the most acceptable and preferred intervention among researchers, growers and consumers. Maize is grown and consumed in those regions where vitamin A deficiency is most prevalent; thus, targeting this crop for provitamin A biofortification is the most appropriate solution. Different breeding strategies including diversity analysis, introduction and stability analysis of exotic germplasm, hybridization, heterosis breeding, mutagenesis and marker-assisted selection are practised for exploring maize germplasm and development of provitamin A-enriched cultivars. Genome-wide association selection and development of transgenic maize genotypes are also being practised, whereas RNA interference and genome editing tools could also be used as potential strategies for provitamin A biofortification of maize genotypes. The use of these breeding strategies for provitamin A biofortification of maize is comprehensively reviewed to provide a working outline for maize breeders.

Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2018

Maize germplasm was exclusively collected across Pakistan to probe the trends in genetic variabil... more Maize germplasm was exclusively collected across Pakistan to probe the trends in genetic variability at regional levels and chronological periods. A total of 290 accessions were collected from 6 different regions. These were comprised of the following chronological order:

SpringerBriefs in Agriculture, 2015

Physiological and molecular responses of maize seedlings (Zea mays L. cv. Troinaya sladost) to 5-... more Physiological and molecular responses of maize seedlings (Zea mays L. cv. Troinaya sladost) to 5-d drought and rehydration for 48 h were investigated. Plant water status was determined by a new method of water potential measurement in mesophyll cells' apoplast in substomatal cavity (ψwa). Drought caused the changes in water status, plant growth, the rates of photosynthetic CO2/H2O gas exchange, and metabolism of carbohydrates and proline. The increase in carbohydrate and proline content under drought was observed simultaneously with the decline in ψwa. Rewatering of seedlings for 24 and 48 h resulted in restoration of growth, rapid increase in ψwa as well as in the rates of photosynthetic gas exchange, and a sharp decline in the content of soluble sugars and proline. Data on close correspondence between the changes in osmolyte content and ψwa under drought and recovery support the assumption that osmolytes might participate in regulation of ψwa.

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2017

In maize breeding use of doubled haploids (DH) is very important as these are shortening the time... more In maize breeding use of doubled haploids (DH) is very important as these are shortening the time for development of inbred lines. Inbred lines developed through doubled haploid technology are completely homozygous and homogeneous. These inbred lines could be used for heterosis breeding with increased selection efficacy, reduced efforts for line maintenance, reduced length of breeding cycle and convenient applicability of molecular marker assisted breeding. Haploid induction followed by chromosome doubling are practiced for doubled haploid production. Present research emphasized (i) evaluation of four different inducer lines for in-vivo maternal haploid induction and (ii) effectiveness of chromosome doubling with colchicine and pendimethalin herbicide treatments. Haploid induction was done by Stock-6 and three locally produced inducer lines; (I) Stock-6-BC4, (II) Stock-6×CMST×Ig-gene, (III) (Ig-gene×Stock-6×CMST) × (Stock-6-BC4), which were derivatives of Stock6, CMST and Ig-gene. Stock-6, Stock-6-BC4, Stock-6 × (CMST × Ig-gene) and (Ig-gene × Stock-6 × CMST) × (Stock-6-BC4) had 1.01, 2.38, 8.18 and 7.53% average induction rates, respectively. Maternal haploids were identified by using purple color marker gene (R1-nj). Haploids were subjected to colchicine (0.04% colchicine + 0.5% DMSO) and different pendimethalin treatments (0.66, 0.33, 0.165 and 0.0825 ppm) for doubled haploid induction through chromosome doubling. In colchicne treatment, 3.2% plants survived out of which 37.5% reached to maturity and only 50% of these were partially fertile. At 0.66 ppm pendimethalin treatment, 23.3% plants survived out of which 28.57% reached to maturity and only 16.66% plants were partially fertile. Whereas, 0.33, 0.165, 0.0825 ppm treatment showed survival rate of 26.66, 33.33 and 11.11%, respectively but plants showed 100% sterility with sectoral diploidization. Conclusively, local derivative inducer lines viz. Stock-6 × (CMST × Ig-gene) and (Ig-gene × Stock-6 × CMST) × (Stock-6-BC4) showed satisfactorily higher haploid induction rate. These inducer lines are recommended for their further exploitation in haploid induction. For doubled haploid production, 0.66 ppm pendimethalin treatment was more effective in terms of survival, maturity and fertility comparative to all other studied treatments. This indicates that pendimethalin herbicide (0.66 ppm) is an attractive and cost-effective alternative of colchicine.

Research on Crops, 2015

Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands across the Pakistan where it has to face the problem o... more Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands across the Pakistan where it has to face the problem of water shortage due to erratic water availability. For improvement of chickpea production, there is dire need for development of drought tolerant chickpea genotypes with high yield potential. Therefore, 20 advanced lines were evaluated against three water treatments (irrigated, rainfed and rain shelters) by following two-factor factorial randomized complete block design. Treatment mean comparison showed that irrigation at initiation of flowering promoted the vegetative growth and reduced the grain yield by redirecting the translocation of assimilates to the vegetative parts instead of grains. Rain shelter treatment induced the earliness in chickpea genotypes to complete the life cycle as early as possible to avoid severe water shortage but due to earliness there was great yield penalty in genotypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on drought tolerance indices converted the traits into principal components (PCs) in which PC 1 and PC 2 contributed 84.62% cumulative variability. So, these components were used for making biplot graph. Biplot categorized the genotypes into four distinct groups. Group-1 which was characterized to have the genotypes with superior performance under normal and stressed conditions included CM 1403/08, CM 1909/08, CM 516/06, D 096-11, CH 51/07, CH 54/07 and TGDX 203. Genotypes of group-1 were selected to be used as parents to develop high yielding genotypes because these genotypes showed highest yield under diverse water regimes. Other three groups had least importance as their tolerance level and potential yield was lower than Group-1.

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2015

Saline soils are the source of severe abiotic stress, which hinders crop productivity. To compete... more Saline soils are the source of severe abiotic stress, which hinders crop productivity. To compete the challenges of food security for rapidly growing population of the world, it is necessary to utilize marginal lands for cultivation by developing saline adapted varieties. Total six elite maize lines were used as parents following diallel mating design. Resultantly 30 F 1 s were generated. Data were recorded for different adaptability indicators under saline environments in maize. Differences among mean squares for general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and reciprocal effects for all the indicators were highly significant. Root length, shoot length, Na + and K + ion contents were governed by non-additive type of gene action whereas; leaf area was controlled by additive gene action. Under different saline environments, better adaptability level regarding GCA, SCA and their reciprocal effects were indicated in maize genotypes L7-2, OH-41 and WFTMS. The cross Q67 × L7-2 exhibited comparatively highest level of adaptability regarding SCA effects under saline environments. For reciprocal effects maize genotypes L7-2, Q67, OH-41 and WFTMS could be used in different crossing combinations for the development of maize hybrids adapted to different saline environments.

Plant Breeding, 2018

Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries... more Zn deficiency is one of the leading health problems in children and women of developing countries. Different interventions could be used to overcome malnutrition, but biofortification is most impactful, convenient, sustainable and acceptable intervention. Maize is one of the major crops grown and consumed in the regions with prevalent Zn malnutrition; therefore, this is suitable target for Zn biofortification. Zn biofortification of maize could be achieved through agronomic and genetic approaches. Discussion of agronomic approaches with genetic approaches is prerequisite because soils in developing countries are deficit of Zn and availability of Zn in soils is mandatory for estimating the genetic responses of maize genotypes through genetic approaches. Seed priming, foliar and soil applications are agronomic tools for biofortification, but solo and combined applications of these treatments have different effects on Zn enrichment. Genetic approaches include the increase of Zn bioavailability or increase of kernel Zn concentration. Zn bioavailability could be increased by reducing the anti-nutritional factors or by increasing the bioavailability enhancers. Kernel Zn concentration could be improved through hybridization and selections, whereas genetically engineered attempts for improving Zn uptake from soil, loading in xylem, remobilization in grains and sequestration in endosperm can further improve the kernel Zn concentration. Key challenges associated with dissemination of Zn biofortified maize are also under discussion in this draft. Current review emphasized all of above-mentioned contents to provide roadmap for the development of Zn biofortified maize genotypes to curb the global Zn malnutrition.

Plant Breeding, 2017

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop as a protein source across the world. I... more Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important legume crop as a protein source across the world. It is mostly grown on arid and marginal lands where it faces drought stress at different growth stages. Drought stress exerts drastic effects on nutrient uptake, hinders the nodule formation and adversely affects yield and yield components. Generally drought at any growth stage and organizational level is responsible for reduction in economic yield. Significant variability in chickpea germplasm is present on the basis of responses to drought stress in the form of drought escape, drought avoidance and drought tolerance; these mechanisms prevent chickpea crop from harmful effects of drought. Improvement in chickpea germplasm against drought stress could be made by using several breeding approaches, that is introduction, hybridization, mutation breeding, marker-assisted breeding and omic techniques. These breeding approaches, especially marker-assisted breeding and omics, are further strengthened with the availability of the chickpea genome sequence. This review highlighted the significance, status and advances in different breeding strategies for improvement of drought tolerance in chickpea.

Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands across the Pakistan where it has to face the problem o... more Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands across the Pakistan where it has to face the problem of water shortage due to erratic water availability. For improvement of chickpea production, there is dire need for development of drought tolerant chickpea genotypes with high yield potential. Therefore, 20 advanced lines were evaluated against three water treatments (irrigated, rainfed and rain shelters) by following two-factor factorial randomized complete block design. Treatment mean comparison showed that irrigation at initiation of flowering promoted the vegetative growth and reduced the grain yield by redirecting the translocation of assimilates to the vegetative parts instead of grains. Rain shelter treatment induced the earliness in chickpea genotypes to complete the life cycle as early as possible to avoid severe water shortage but due to earliness there was great yield penalty in genotypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on drought tolerance indices converted the traits into principal components (PCs) in which PC 1 and PC 2 contributed 84.62% cumulative variability. So, these components were used for making biplot graph. Biplot categorized the genotypes into four distinct groups. Group-1 which was characterized to have the genotypes with superior performance under normal and stressed conditions included CM 1403/08, CM 1909/08, CM 516/06, D 096-11, CH 51/ 07, CH 54/07 and TGDX 203. Genotypes of group-1 were selected to be used as parents to develop high yielding genotypes because these genotypes showed highest yield under diverse water regimes. Other three groups had least importance as their tolerance level and potential yield was lower than Group-1.

Journal of Agricultural Research, 2015

Plant Breeding, 2021

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2019

BMC Plant Biology, 2020

Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 2017

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2017

Plant Breeding, 2018

Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2018

SpringerBriefs in Agriculture, 2015

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2017

Research on Crops, 2015

International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2015

Plant Breeding, 2018

Plant Breeding, 2017

Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands across the Pakistan where it has to face the problem o... more Chickpea is mainly grown on marginal lands across the Pakistan where it has to face the problem of water shortage due to erratic water availability. For improvement of chickpea production, there is dire need for development of drought tolerant chickpea genotypes with high yield potential. Therefore, 20 advanced lines were evaluated against three water treatments (irrigated, rainfed and rain shelters) by following two-factor factorial randomized complete block design. Treatment mean comparison showed that irrigation at initiation of flowering promoted the vegetative growth and reduced the grain yield by redirecting the translocation of assimilates to the vegetative parts instead of grains. Rain shelter treatment induced the earliness in chickpea genotypes to complete the life cycle as early as possible to avoid severe water shortage but due to earliness there was great yield penalty in genotypes. Principal component analysis (PCA) based on drought tolerance indices converted the traits into principal components (PCs) in which PC 1 and PC 2 contributed 84.62% cumulative variability. So, these components were used for making biplot graph. Biplot categorized the genotypes into four distinct groups. Group-1 which was characterized to have the genotypes with superior performance under normal and stressed conditions included CM 1403/08, CM 1909/08, CM 516/06, D 096-11, CH 51/ 07, CH 54/07 and TGDX 203. Genotypes of group-1 were selected to be used as parents to develop high yielding genotypes because these genotypes showed highest yield under diverse water regimes. Other three groups had least importance as their tolerance level and potential yield was lower than Group-1.