Mustafa Nawaz Shafqat

Avian feathers as a non-destructive bio-monitoring tool of trace metals signatures: A case study from severely contaminated areas

The concentrations of trace metals were assessed using feathers of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis), collected within two industrial areas of Pakistan, Lahore and Sialkot. We found, in order of descending concentration: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Cadmium (Cd), and Manganese (Mn), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), and Lithium (Li), without any significant difference (except Fe, Zn, and Ni) between the two areas. The concentrations of trace metals, we recorded were among the highest ever reported in the feathers of avian species worldwide. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd were above the threshold that affects bird reproductive success. The high contamination by heavy metals in the two areas is due to anthropogenic activities as well to natural ones (for As and Fe). The bioaccumulation ratios in eggs and feathers of the cattle egret, their prey, and the sediments from their foraging habitats, confirmed that avian feathers are a convenient and non-destructive sampling tool for the metal contamination. The results of this study will contribute to the environmental management of the Lahore and Sialkot industrial areas.

Genetic dissection of yield and its component traits using high-density composite map of wheat chromosome 3A: bridging gaps between QTLs and underlying genes.

Earlier we identified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) chromosome 3A as a major determinant of grain yield and its component traits. In the present study, a high-density genetic linkage map of 81 chromosome 3A-specific markers was developed to increase the precision of previously identified yield component QTLs, and to map QTLs for biomass-related traits. Many of the previously identified QTLs for yield and its component traits were confirmed and were localized to narrower intervals. Four novel QTLs one each for shoot biomass (Xcfa2262-Xbcd366), total biomass (wPt2740-Xcfa2076), kernels/spike (KPS) (Xwmc664-Xbarc67), and Pseudocercosporella induced lodging (PsIL) were also detected. The major QTLs identified for grain yield (GY), KPS, grain volume weight (GVWT) and spikes per square meter (SPSM) respectively explained 23.2%, 24.2%, 20.5% and 20.2% of the phenotypic variation. Comparison of the genetic map with the integrated physical map allowed estimation of recombination frequency in the regions of interest and suggested that QTLs for grain yield detected in the marker intervals Xcdo549-Xbarc310 and Xpsp3047-Xbarc356 reside in the high-recombination regions, thus should be amenable to map-based cloning. On the other hand, QTLs for KPS and SPSM flanked by markers Xwmc664 and Xwmc489 mapped in the low-recombination region thus are not suitable for map-based cloning. Comparisons with the rice (Oryza sativa L.) genomic DNA sequence identified 11 candidate genes (CGs) for yield and yield related QTLs of which chromosomal location of two (CKX2 and GID2-like) was confirmed using wheat aneuploids. This study provides necessary information to perform high-resolution mapping for map-based cloning and for CG-based cloning of yield QTLs.

Fine structure mapping of a gene-rich region of wheat carrying Ph1, a suppressor of crossing over between homoeologous chromosomes

The wheat gene-rich region (GRR) 5L0.5 contains many important genes, including Ph1, the principal regulator of chromosome pairing. Comparative marker analysis identified 32 genes for the GRR controlling important agronomic traits. Detailed characterization of this region was accomplished by first physically localizing 213 wheat group 5L-specific markers, using group 5 nulli-tetrasomics, three Ph1 gene deletion/insertion mutants, and nine terminal deletion lines with their breakpoints around the 5L0.5 region. The Ph1 gene was localized to a much smaller region within the GRR (Ph1 gene region). Of the 61 markers that mapped in the four subregions of the GRR, 9 mapped in the Ph1 gene region. High stringency sequence comparison (e < 1 ×10−25) of 157 group 5L-specific wheat ESTs identified orthologs for 80% sequences in rice and 71% in Arabidopsis. Rice orthologs were present on all rice chromosomes, although most (34%) were on rice chromosome 9 (R9). No single collinear region was identified in Arabidopsis even for a smaller region, such as the Ph1 gene region. Seven of the nine Ph1 gene region markers mapped within a 450-kb region on R9 with the same gene order. Detailed domain/motif analysis of the 91 putative genes present in the 450-kb region identified 26 candidates for the Ph1 gene, including genes involved in chromatin reorganization, microtubule attachment, acetyltransferases, methyltransferases, DNA binding, and meiosis/anther specific proteins. Five of these genes shared common domains/motifs with the meiosis specific genes Zip1, Scp1, Cor1, RAD50, RAD51, and RAD57. Wheat and Arabidopsis homologs for these rice genes were identified.

The Freundlich adsorption isotherm constants and prediction of phosphorus bioavailability as affected by different phosphorus sources in two Kansas soils

Phosphorus (P) adsorption onto soil constituents influences P bioavailability from both agronomic and environmental perspectives. In this study, the P availability from different P sources along with utility of Freundlich adsorption coefficients on the predictability of various crop growth parameters were assessed. Two soils were amended with 150mgPkg(-1) each from six different P sources comprised of manures from two types of ruminants animals, three types of monogastric animals, and inorganic P fertilizer. Corn (Zea mays) was grown and harvested seven times under greenhouse conditions to remove P from the P amended treatments. The application of all P sources reduced the value of Freundlich K and increased the value of Freundlich 1/n and equilibrium P concentration (EPC0) in both soils compared to the un-amended control before cropping. The swine (Sus scrofa) manure (HM) resulted in significant smaller values of Freundlich K and larger values of 1/n in the P deficient Eram-Lebo soil compared to other P sources while, the opposite was true for the turkey (Meleagris gallopava) litter (TL) in the Ulysses soil. The corn biomass, tissue P concentration and P uptake were significantly influenced by all P sources during the first harvest and the total P uptake during seven harvests in both soils compared to the control treatment. Both Freundlich coefficients had strong relationships with the aforementioned corn parameters in the P deficient Eram-Lebo soil while, strength of the association was weak or missing in the Ulysses soil which had optimum levels of antecedent P.

Long-Term Effects of Tillage and Manure Applications on Soil Phosphorus Fractions

Application of manure on the basis of crop nitrogen (N) need increases the level of soil phosphorus (P), which is concern for deterioration of surface water quality. Soil samples were collected from a long-term field study to investigate the impact of crop N need–based manure application on soil P fractions and P adsorption and release kinetics. The field experiment was initiated in 1990. The soil was moderately well-drained Kennebec (fine silty, mixed, mesic Cumulic Hapludolls). No-tillage (NT) and conventional-tillage (CT) treatments were established in main plots, and subplots had five N treatments, including a control, and annual application of 84 or 168 kg N ha−1 applied as ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) or beef (Bos taurus) manure. Manure at the high N application rate had significantly greater Bray 1 P under NT than under CT at 0- to 5-cm soil depth. Nitrogen fertilizer treatments were not significantly different than the control for Bray 1 P. Continuous application of manure at the high N rate significantly increased all Hedley P fractions; however, the major increase was observed in high bioavailable P pools [iron oxide (FeO) P and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Pi] and hydrochloric acid (HCl) P fractions. Soil organic P (Po) pools, including both labile (NaHCO3-Po) and resistant [sodium hydroxide (NaOH) Po], were increased by application of N from any source, suggesting biomass production and return of residue to soil surface was the responsible factor. Continuous application of manure based on N need also significantly increased FeO-P, NaHCO3-Pi, and HCl-P fractions at lower soil depths (5–15 and 15–30 cm). Results from the P-adsorption study suggest that ability of soil to adsorb additional P was decreased by manure application and that EPC0 was increased. Maximum desorbable P was observed for manure treatments under NT, although the release constant k (h−1) was significantly less than with fertilizer N treatments.

Bioavailable phosphorus in animal waste amended soils: using actual crop uptake and p mass balance approach.

Animal manure amended soils often contain large amounts of bioavailable phosphorus (P) and constitute high risk for the deterioration of surface water quality through eutrophication. Current standards set for the safe disposal of animal manure through soil application are based on the assumption that phosphorus in all P sources would behave similarly. The primary objective of this study was to understand the influence of P from several manure and mineral fertilizer sources applied at 0, 50, and 150 mg P kg(-1) on two measures of bioavailable P to six soils of different initial soil test P levels using corn (Zea mays L.) P uptake and an iron oxide strip method for soil analysis (FeO-P). Total net bioavailable P (TNBP) was calculated by subtracting total P uptake by corn after seven consecutive harvests in control treatments that did not receive P from the P uptake from P-amended treatments. Net biovavailable P after the first harvest (NBP1) was calculated in a similar fashion but only using data from the first harvest. Significant differences in TNBP and NBP1 were found when comparing P sources. The hog (Sus scrofa) manure had the greatest P bioavailability while turkey (Meleagris gallopava) litter had the lowest among the animal P sources across all soils and levels of P application. Significant differences were also found between soils with the highest amounts of TNBP and NBP1 found in the Woodson soil and lowest detected in the Crete soil for most P sources. The FeO-P method was useful in predicting TNBP from most P sources.

Phosphorus Source Effects on Soil Organic Phosphorus: A 31P NMR Study

The nature of organic phosphorus (Po) in animal waste and in soil is important from both plant nutrition and environmental perspectives. The objectives of this study were (1) to monitor the nature of Po in different animal wastes and biosolids using solution state 31P NMR spectroscopy and (2) to understand the nature of Po as affected by crop P removal in soil amended with different animal wastes and biosolids under greenhouse conditions. Two types of stockpiled cattle (Bos taurus) manure (CM1 and CM2), solid turkey (Meleagris gallopava) litter (TL), solid hog (Sus scrofa) manure (HM), and aerobically digested biosolids (SS) were used. Two kg of Wabash silt loam soil was amended with 0 or 150 mg P kg−1 from the P sources. Seven harvests of corn (Zea mays L.) were collected, each 35 days after sowing. Organic P was extracted with 0.4 M NaOH from soil samples collected before cropping and after the seventh harvest, as well as from each P source. 31P NMR analysis suggested that sugar phosphomonoester was present in all P sources and was the dominant constituent of both CM1 and CM2. Phosphomonoester was detected in large amounts in TL, HM, and SS. Prior to crop P removal, the application of all P sources caused the relative content of sugar phosphomonoester to be greater than the control. Crop P removal resulted in reductions in the relative content of sugar phosphodiesters and phosphodiester in CM1‐ and CM2‐amended soils, respectively. Phosphomonoester was also decreased in TL‐, HM‐, and SS‐amended soils in response to cropping.

Soil test phosphorus dynamics in animal waste amended soils: using P mass balance approach.

Soil test phosphorus (STP) is commonly used for phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendations in agriculture and in risk assessment of offsite P movement from environmental perspectives. Present guidelines do not differentiate between the P sources and assume that P added to the soil would behave alike. The objective of this study was to understand the influence of different animal P sources applied at three different rates on changes in STP in many different soils using P mass balance approach. Six P sources consisting of three types of monogastric, two ruminant and triple super phosphate (TSP) applied at 0, 50, and 150 mg P kg(-1) in six different soils. Corn (Zea mays L.) was used to remove P and total of seven harvests were achieved. The STP (Bray 1P) was monitored at T(0) and after each harvest and relationship was developed between STP and net P addition/removal to compute the slope. Prior to crop P removal, the Turkey (Meleagris gallopava) litter (TL) produced the smallest slope at both rates and across all soils. Most P sources resulted large slope values in the Woodson soil. The slope value progressively decreased from higher rate to lower rate to the control treatment in P mass balance study. Soil clay content, initial STP, soil pH, and soil organic matter levels were involved in explaining variations in slope value in TL, while initial STP and clay content in Hog (Sus scrofa) manure (HM) and biosolid (SS) amended soils in net P addition/removal study.

Trends of climate change in the Lower Indus Basin region of Pakistan: Future implications for agriculture

Purpose Lower Indus Basin (LIB) region is the food basket of Pakistan, and climatic variation in response to global warming might severely affect the crop production and, thus, food security and ultimately to the economy of the country. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyzed the previous climatic factors data series of LIB region to investigate the past and present climatic trends and to predict the future changes. Climatic changes were monitored by studying temperature, rainfall and relative humidity (RH) dynamics at two locations (Lahore and Multan) of the LIB region, Pakistan, by using data from 1953 to 2006. The data were divided into two equal halves (1953-1979 and 1980-2006) and statistically compared for the aforementioned weather parameters. Findings The results suggested that mean minimum temperature (MMT) and overall mean temperature in winter were significantly increased, whereas few summer months had also experienced the reduction in both temperatures. However, few minor changes were also observed for the mean maximum temperature at both locations. The rainfall amount did not vary significantly at both locations, with the exception for the months of February and June at Lahore location, which experienced relatively higher rainfall in latter period (1980-2006). However, morning and evening RH was significantly increased at Multan throughout the year and for some selected months (February-March and May-July) at Lahore. However, the comparison of climatic data of both temporal halves suggested either dryer weather during winter months because of increase in MMT and/or increase in area under irrigated agriculture, resulting in more evaporation at both locations. Similarly, the data also indicated the early monsoon rainfall patterns in summer and late western depression rainfall spell during winter, which played key role to affect the crop yield because of irregular rain events. Research limitations/implications The current manuscript would be very useful for the disaster management authorities and agriculture sector to predict the future irregular trends of climate change in Pakistan. Moreover, current findings can be important tool toward the management of climatic changes issues (i.e. floods and dryer spells) and to formulate the future strategies for the improved crop growth in arid and/or semi-arid developing nations such as Pakistan. Originality/value The current manuscript, for the very first time, provided detailed insights into key climatic factors changes for past seven decades, into the severely climate change-affected areas of the world. Furthermore, agricultural sector is likely to be severely affected because of minor seasonal change in temperature and moisture, and have a strong food security impact, which can be reflected with current data set to cope with both ecological and economic impacts of climate change in Pakistan. The current findings would be useful to manage the climate change-related issues in Pakistan, including the social, environmental and economic.

Quick Decline Disease Disturbs the Levels of Important Phytochemicals and Minerals in the Stem Bark of Mango (Mangifera indica)

Quick decline is one of the deadly diseases of mango (Mangifera indica) which causes a serious damage to the tree and its production. In the current study, we examined the levels of important phytochemicals and minerals in the stem bark of healthy and infected mango tree. Infected stem bark showed 12.5% lower levels of total sugars and 51.1% higher levels of proteins as compared to healthy parts, whereas no variation was observed in reducing sugar, free amino acid, and ascorbic acid. Among micronutrients, the levels of Zn, Na, Cr, and Cl were lowered by 25%, 54.3%, 25%, and 75.4%, respectively, whereas the level of Ni was 62.5% higher in the infected stem bark when compared with the healthy stem bark. However, other micronutrients did not show significant differences between healthy and infected parts. Among macronutrients, the quantity of N, P, and Mg showed an increase of 51.2%, 34.7%, and 27.6%, respectively, whereas the quantity of Ca and K was decreased by 25.2% and 7.66% in the infected stem barks as compared to healthy ones. The results of this study provide some basic but important information that may ultimately be helpful in managing the quick decline disease in the mango trees.