Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an important non-edible oilseed crop containing 45-58% oil m... more Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an important non-edible oilseed crop containing 45-58% oil mainly used in pharmaceutical, petroleum, biofuels, chemicals and textile industry. We evaluated 63 castor beans accessions from Pakistani origin to determine population structure and extent of genetic divergence in local germplasm viz-a`-viz 14 agronomic traits and oil content. Higher phenotypic variability was reported for number of branches plantG 1 , plant height, days to germination and days to flowering. Maximum oil content 58% was found in genotype
The experiment consisted of two sorghum based inter-cropping system i.e. sorghum+guara and sorghu... more The experiment consisted of two sorghum based inter-cropping system i.e. sorghum+guara and sorghum+cowpea in 1-row, 2-row and 3-row strips including sole cropping of all the component crops. Total fodder yield and mean land equivalent ratio (LER) was fairly high in all inter-cropping treatments but the highest LER 1.89 was recorded for sorghum-cowpea 3-rows inter-cropping system. This showed that 70-89 percent yield advantage was gained due to inter-cropping. However, maximum fodder yield of sorghum was obtained after three months of sowing from all the inter-cropped treatments.
The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, an... more The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, and accessibility of germplasm collections of crop wild relatives (CWR). Between 2013 and 2018, partners in 25 countries, heirs to the globetrotting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, undertook seed collecting expeditions targeting CWR of 28 crops of global significance for agriculture. Here, we describe the implementation of the 25 national collecting programs and present the key results. A total of 4587 unique seed samples from at least 355 CWR taxa were collected, conserved ex situ, safety duplicated in national and international genebanks, and made available through the Multilateral System (MLS) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty). Collections of CWR were made for all 28 targeted crops. Potato and eggplant were the most collected genepools, although the greatest number of primary genepool collections were made for rice. Overall, alfalf...
Twenty three chili accessions originating from nine countries including Pakistan were investigate... more Twenty three chili accessions originating from nine countries including Pakistan were investigated for genetic variability for morphological attributes and total seed protein during the cropping seasons of 2011 and 2012 at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. Traits diversity was analyzed by employing statistical tools that revealed not only considerable variation but also grouping on similarities and associations that can accelerate their utilization in research. Considerable differences noted for different morpho-agronomic traits revealed substantial variation for leaf length, plant height, number of locules, fruit width, seed diameter and fruit bearing period. However, pedicel length, fruit wall thickness and number of seeds/fruit displayed low variation in both years. Association among various quantitative parameters based on correlation coefficients was significant. Fruit weight and fruit wall thickness showed significant association with number of...
This study is a pioneer report on the development of an environmentally safe in vitro regeneratio... more This study is a pioneer report on the development of an environmentally safe in vitro regeneration protocol for Curcuma , Kaempferia and Zingiber . The germplasm of the species was collected from Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, rich in unexplored Zingiberaceae genetic resources. Rhizome buds were directly regenerated on the Murashige and Skoog medium containing a growth regulator, 6-benzyladenine and a commercial fungicide, Benlate (50% of Benomyl). The pre-treatment protocol did not contain HgCl2, a toxic pollutant for Curcuma amada, Curcuma longa, Zingiber barbatum and Kaempferia galanga. Plantlets were regenerated from the buds without any intervention of the callus phase. The contamination free survival of the bud explants from Curcuma, Zingiber and Kaempferia was more than 75, 57 and 53%, respectively. Buds from immature rhizomes were difficult to regenerate on the media, as well as resulted in higher contamination percentages while the buds from mature rhizomes efficientl...
A study was conducted during winter 2010 at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Islamaba... more A study was conducted during winter 2010 at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Islamabad, (33.40ËšN and 73.07ËšE), to assess diversity profile of indigenous spinach germplasm collected from different parts of the country. The evaluation was based on 20 qualitative and quantitative parameters following the botanical descriptors developed by Bioversity International. A high variation was observed for plant height, earliness of bolting and days taken to flowering whereas low medium variability was observed for remaining parameters. Trait association based on correlation analysis reflected significant and positive relationship among different attributes that could be useful in devising further crop improvement strategy in spinach. Principal component analysis (PCA) displayed the scattered distribution on the basis of agronomic performance. The cumulative contribution of the first three principal components (PCs) reflected by principal component analysis was 58.4%. Cluster analysis grouped the spinach genotypes into four major clusters regardless of collection origin which yielded useful information of the genotypic relationship among genotypes. In spite of high variability, observed in various traits, low variance for leaf related characters (which are of prime importance) was observed in the investigated germplasm, which restricts the scope of selection for these traits. This advocated the need to acquire more diverse germplasm including local and exotic genotypes for devising better crop improvement strategy in spinach.
Eggplant is an important solanaceous plant cultivated world wide. Current study has been undertak... more Eggplant is an important solanaceous plant cultivated world wide. Current study has been undertaken to characterize twenty two different Eggplant accessions for various agro-morphological traits at Plant Genetic Resources Institute, NARC, Islamabad. The study revealed an average to high variance for most of the parameters studied viz. Fruit weight, branching angle, days to flowering and plant height. However, low variance was observed for leaf lobation, petiole thickness, inter node length and number of flower (s) per axil. The relationship particularly among yield contributing traits was significant. Cluster analysis grouped the 22 Eggplant genotypes into three clusters and each cluster further subdivided into two sub-clusters. The clustering pattern did not show any correspondence with the collection origin. The genotype 19326 remained outstanding in terms of better performance as compared to other genotypes studied. In general, the genotypes grouped in Cluster-I was tall statured having high mean values of different parameters and it were followed by cluster-II and III. The fruit shape and colour observed in the germplasm accessions was diverse ranging from round type to elongated and dark purple to white. However, predominant shape was round (40.9%) type and purple (54%). Although, the germplasm investigated comprised only 22 accessions, however, it revealed diverse pattern based on various traits. The information generated through this study will be helpful in devising future breeding programs in Eggplant.
Rhazya stricta Decne. is an important medicinal species that is rich in alkaloids containing anti... more Rhazya stricta Decne. is an important medicinal species that is rich in alkaloids containing anticancer alkaloids also. This paper reviews phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies of R. stricta. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of the species have been thoroughly explored. Over 100 alkaloids have been isolated from R. stricta, but the pharmacological activities are known for only a few of these compounds. Very few ethnobotanical studies of R. stricta have been done, and there is a particular need for such studies in various regions of South Asia and in Middle Eastern countries where the species grows. These ethnobotanical studies should investigate herbal recipes of R. stricta and their use for curing diseases. The genetic diversity, chemotaxonomy and allelopathy of R. stricta have not yet been explored, and these studies are recommended, with the ultimate goal of benefiting local communities in regions where R. stricta grows. This should be achieved by sharing knowledge and through the manufacture of herbal drugs from R. stricta's active chemical constituents, while protecting intellectual property rights and following the World Health Organization's guidelines for safety and efficacy.
A preliminary characterization was undertaken to describe genetic structure of mango ginger (Curc... more A preliminary characterization was undertaken to describe genetic structure of mango ginger (Curcuma amada) acquired from farmers and ex situ genebank in Myanmar using neutral (rice SSR based RAPDs) and functional genomic (P450 based analog) markers. The high polymorphism (> 91%) depicted has displayed existence of genetic variability in the germplasm investigated. Large number of source-specific alleles (neutral-markers = 78, functional-markers = 63) was amplified which revealed that neutral regions of the mango ginger were more variable compared with the functional regions. The major fraction of the molecular variance (neutral-markers = 85%, functional-markers = 93%) was explained within germplasm acquisition sources and this tendency was also supported by the estimate of gene diversity. The genebank accessions have shown comparatively more genetic variability than farmers' accessions. The variability observed in mango ginger may possibly be associated with the long history of its cultivation under diverse ecological conditions. The two marker systems elucidated their high resolving power which detected variability even in fewer genotypes assayed. As the target sites of these markers are different, therefore, the variability detected is believed to cover diverse part of the genome together with neutral and functional regions. We found the concurrent use of the different types of molecular markers valuable to comprehend a dependable variability pattern in the germplasm assayed.
Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an important non-edible oilseed crop containing 45-58% oil m... more Castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) is an important non-edible oilseed crop containing 45-58% oil mainly used in pharmaceutical, petroleum, biofuels, chemicals and textile industry. We evaluated 63 castor beans accessions from Pakistani origin to determine population structure and extent of genetic divergence in local germplasm viz-a`-viz 14 agronomic traits and oil content. Higher phenotypic variability was reported for number of branches plantG 1 , plant height, days to germination and days to flowering. Maximum oil content 58% was found in genotype
The experiment consisted of two sorghum based inter-cropping system i.e. sorghum+guara and sorghu... more The experiment consisted of two sorghum based inter-cropping system i.e. sorghum+guara and sorghum+cowpea in 1-row, 2-row and 3-row strips including sole cropping of all the component crops. Total fodder yield and mean land equivalent ratio (LER) was fairly high in all inter-cropping treatments but the highest LER 1.89 was recorded for sorghum-cowpea 3-rows inter-cropping system. This showed that 70-89 percent yield advantage was gained due to inter-cropping. However, maximum fodder yield of sorghum was obtained after three months of sowing from all the inter-cropped treatments.
The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, an... more The Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change Project set out to improve the diversity, quantity, and accessibility of germplasm collections of crop wild relatives (CWR). Between 2013 and 2018, partners in 25 countries, heirs to the globetrotting legacy of Nikolai Vavilov, undertook seed collecting expeditions targeting CWR of 28 crops of global significance for agriculture. Here, we describe the implementation of the 25 national collecting programs and present the key results. A total of 4587 unique seed samples from at least 355 CWR taxa were collected, conserved ex situ, safety duplicated in national and international genebanks, and made available through the Multilateral System (MLS) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Plant Treaty). Collections of CWR were made for all 28 targeted crops. Potato and eggplant were the most collected genepools, although the greatest number of primary genepool collections were made for rice. Overall, alfalf...
Twenty three chili accessions originating from nine countries including Pakistan were investigate... more Twenty three chili accessions originating from nine countries including Pakistan were investigated for genetic variability for morphological attributes and total seed protein during the cropping seasons of 2011 and 2012 at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan. Traits diversity was analyzed by employing statistical tools that revealed not only considerable variation but also grouping on similarities and associations that can accelerate their utilization in research. Considerable differences noted for different morpho-agronomic traits revealed substantial variation for leaf length, plant height, number of locules, fruit width, seed diameter and fruit bearing period. However, pedicel length, fruit wall thickness and number of seeds/fruit displayed low variation in both years. Association among various quantitative parameters based on correlation coefficients was significant. Fruit weight and fruit wall thickness showed significant association with number of...
This study is a pioneer report on the development of an environmentally safe in vitro regeneratio... more This study is a pioneer report on the development of an environmentally safe in vitro regeneration protocol for Curcuma , Kaempferia and Zingiber . The germplasm of the species was collected from Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, rich in unexplored Zingiberaceae genetic resources. Rhizome buds were directly regenerated on the Murashige and Skoog medium containing a growth regulator, 6-benzyladenine and a commercial fungicide, Benlate (50% of Benomyl). The pre-treatment protocol did not contain HgCl2, a toxic pollutant for Curcuma amada, Curcuma longa, Zingiber barbatum and Kaempferia galanga. Plantlets were regenerated from the buds without any intervention of the callus phase. The contamination free survival of the bud explants from Curcuma, Zingiber and Kaempferia was more than 75, 57 and 53%, respectively. Buds from immature rhizomes were difficult to regenerate on the media, as well as resulted in higher contamination percentages while the buds from mature rhizomes efficientl...
A study was conducted during winter 2010 at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Islamaba... more A study was conducted during winter 2010 at National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) Islamabad, (33.40ËšN and 73.07ËšE), to assess diversity profile of indigenous spinach germplasm collected from different parts of the country. The evaluation was based on 20 qualitative and quantitative parameters following the botanical descriptors developed by Bioversity International. A high variation was observed for plant height, earliness of bolting and days taken to flowering whereas low medium variability was observed for remaining parameters. Trait association based on correlation analysis reflected significant and positive relationship among different attributes that could be useful in devising further crop improvement strategy in spinach. Principal component analysis (PCA) displayed the scattered distribution on the basis of agronomic performance. The cumulative contribution of the first three principal components (PCs) reflected by principal component analysis was 58.4%. Cluster analysis grouped the spinach genotypes into four major clusters regardless of collection origin which yielded useful information of the genotypic relationship among genotypes. In spite of high variability, observed in various traits, low variance for leaf related characters (which are of prime importance) was observed in the investigated germplasm, which restricts the scope of selection for these traits. This advocated the need to acquire more diverse germplasm including local and exotic genotypes for devising better crop improvement strategy in spinach.
Eggplant is an important solanaceous plant cultivated world wide. Current study has been undertak... more Eggplant is an important solanaceous plant cultivated world wide. Current study has been undertaken to characterize twenty two different Eggplant accessions for various agro-morphological traits at Plant Genetic Resources Institute, NARC, Islamabad. The study revealed an average to high variance for most of the parameters studied viz. Fruit weight, branching angle, days to flowering and plant height. However, low variance was observed for leaf lobation, petiole thickness, inter node length and number of flower (s) per axil. The relationship particularly among yield contributing traits was significant. Cluster analysis grouped the 22 Eggplant genotypes into three clusters and each cluster further subdivided into two sub-clusters. The clustering pattern did not show any correspondence with the collection origin. The genotype 19326 remained outstanding in terms of better performance as compared to other genotypes studied. In general, the genotypes grouped in Cluster-I was tall statured having high mean values of different parameters and it were followed by cluster-II and III. The fruit shape and colour observed in the germplasm accessions was diverse ranging from round type to elongated and dark purple to white. However, predominant shape was round (40.9%) type and purple (54%). Although, the germplasm investigated comprised only 22 accessions, however, it revealed diverse pattern based on various traits. The information generated through this study will be helpful in devising future breeding programs in Eggplant.
Rhazya stricta Decne. is an important medicinal species that is rich in alkaloids containing anti... more Rhazya stricta Decne. is an important medicinal species that is rich in alkaloids containing anticancer alkaloids also. This paper reviews phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnobotanical studies of R. stricta. Phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of the species have been thoroughly explored. Over 100 alkaloids have been isolated from R. stricta, but the pharmacological activities are known for only a few of these compounds. Very few ethnobotanical studies of R. stricta have been done, and there is a particular need for such studies in various regions of South Asia and in Middle Eastern countries where the species grows. These ethnobotanical studies should investigate herbal recipes of R. stricta and their use for curing diseases. The genetic diversity, chemotaxonomy and allelopathy of R. stricta have not yet been explored, and these studies are recommended, with the ultimate goal of benefiting local communities in regions where R. stricta grows. This should be achieved by sharing knowledge and through the manufacture of herbal drugs from R. stricta's active chemical constituents, while protecting intellectual property rights and following the World Health Organization's guidelines for safety and efficacy.
A preliminary characterization was undertaken to describe genetic structure of mango ginger (Curc... more A preliminary characterization was undertaken to describe genetic structure of mango ginger (Curcuma amada) acquired from farmers and ex situ genebank in Myanmar using neutral (rice SSR based RAPDs) and functional genomic (P450 based analog) markers. The high polymorphism (> 91%) depicted has displayed existence of genetic variability in the germplasm investigated. Large number of source-specific alleles (neutral-markers = 78, functional-markers = 63) was amplified which revealed that neutral regions of the mango ginger were more variable compared with the functional regions. The major fraction of the molecular variance (neutral-markers = 85%, functional-markers = 93%) was explained within germplasm acquisition sources and this tendency was also supported by the estimate of gene diversity. The genebank accessions have shown comparatively more genetic variability than farmers' accessions. The variability observed in mango ginger may possibly be associated with the long history of its cultivation under diverse ecological conditions. The two marker systems elucidated their high resolving power which detected variability even in fewer genotypes assayed. As the target sites of these markers are different, therefore, the variability detected is believed to cover diverse part of the genome together with neutral and functional regions. We found the concurrent use of the different types of molecular markers valuable to comprehend a dependable variability pattern in the germplasm assayed.
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