Mohammad Nisar

First proteomic assay of Pakistani Pisum sativum L. germplasm relation to geographic pattern.

Proteomic assay was carried out to asses genetic diversity in relation to geographic pattern in 97 genotypes of Pisum sativum L., collected from all over Pakistan. In total 34 bands were observed and among these, 26.7% bands were monomorphic, while 73.5% bands showed polymorphism. Based on both Province Wise Analysis (PWA) and Agro-ecological Zones (AEZ) the genotypes collected from Punjab, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) exhibited 70.6%, and 64.7% variation respectively. The germplasm collected from Azad Kashmir showed the lowest level of genetic diversity. Cluster analysis exhibited, moderate level of association, between genetic diversity and geographic pattern of the genotypes.

Linkage of a RAPD marker with powdery mildew resistance er-1 gene in Pisum sativum L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the inheritance of powdery mildew disease and to tag it with a DNA marker to utilize for the marker-assisted selection (MAS) breeding program. The powdery mildew resistant genotype Falloner and susceptible genotype 11760-3ER were selected from 177 genotypes by heavy infestation of germplasm with Erysiphe pisi through artificial inoculation The F1 plants of the cross Fallon/11760-3 indicated the dominance of the susceptible allele, while F2 plants segregated in 3: 1 ratio (susceptible: resistant) that fit for goodness of fitness by χ2 (P > 0.07), indicating monogenic recessive inheritance for powdery mildew resistance in Pisum sativum. A novel RAPD marker OPB18 (5′-CCACAGCAGT-3′) was linked to the er-1 gene with 83% probability with a LOD score of 4.13, and was located at a distance of 11.2 cM from the er-1 gene.

Phenotypic variation in the agronomic and morphological traits of Pisum sativum L. Germplasm obtained from different parts of the world

A total of 286 genotypes were collected from 39 countries of the world and were evaluated to determine the phenotypic diversity for 17 quantitative traits. Higher degree of coefficient of variation were recorded for grain yield−5 (52.46%), biomass−5 (45.73%), fresh pod width-10 (47.24%), dry pod weight−10 (40.33%), plant height−1 (35.25%), harvest index (32.70%) and number of branches−5. Cluster-II clearly reflected that late genotypes were having lightest pods weight, shortest pod width, and pod length; low grain yield, biomass and harvest index. Width, and pod length; low grain yield, biomass and harvest index. While genotypes in Cluster-III were in contrast to Cluster-II having heaviest pods weight, longest pods width and length, highest grain yield, biomass and harvest index. Higher PC−1 values have been determined for days to flower initiation which consequently were contributing weighed positive to days to pods picking, days to flower completion, days to dry pod appearance, days to plant harvesting while negatively contributed to yield producing traits, indicating that late flowering pea germplasm emphasizes more on the vegetative growth and was low yielding. However, higher PC−2 values have been obtained for number of branches−5, grain yield and biomass while lower values for days to flowering, days to pods picking, days to flower completion, days to dry pod appearance and days to plant harvesting confirming the fact that early genotypes were high yielding.

The ethnobotanical domain of the Swat Valley, Pakistan

BackgroundThis study contributes to the current ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Swat Valley, Pakistan. District Swat possesses remarkable biodiversity owing to its varied topographical and climatic conditions, prompting a distinct human-plant association. Our hypothesis is that the presence of such a great biodiversity has shaped into a formal ethnobotanical culture in the area transmitted through generations. We suspect that the versatility of some plant species has greater influence on the culture. Therefore, the prime objective of the study is to understand this unique human-plant relationship in the valley and to create scientific roots for the selection and practice of herbs in the ethnobotanical domain of the district.MethodsPrimary data were collected using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with the locals. The data collected were used for calculating some important indices, i.e. relative frequency of citation (RFC), participant agreement ratio (PAR), frequency of citation (FC), Smith’s Salience Index (SI), Relative Importance Index (RII), Cultural Value Index (CVI) and a newly proposed, Ali’s Conservation Priority Index (CPI). Index scores were used as key identifier of the ethnobotanically important plants of the area.ResultsResidents of the Swat Valley have listed plant uses in 15 use categories. Around 9% of the respondents have a common consensus on the selection and use of plants for the treatment of evil eye with similar results for body cuts (8.2%) followed by psychological/neural ailments (8.0%). Respondents agree that Berberis lyceum Royle. dominates in all five indices. Skimmia laureola Franch. also constitutes one of the central plants of the ethnobotanical domain, ranking second in the SI, fifth in the RII, seventh in CVI, and third in the Cultural Importance Index. It holds the thirty-fifth position in the CPI. Over 80% of the population treat different diseases with herbal remedies. In the common ethnobotanical domain of the area, plants like Mentha longifolia L., Berberis lyceum, and Skimmia laureola are very important and have high salience and importance values, thus suggesting these plants are versatile for their uses in the study area.ConclusionIn conclusion, only some plant species are prioritised for their use in the ethnobotanical domain of the community. Medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) usage is widespread in the Swat Valley. The ethnobotanical knowledge could be used as a tool to understand the adaptability of a specific taxon in the area and the possible conservation risk to their existence.