Publications by authors named "Muhammad Y Ashraf"

Inherently low concentrations of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), iodine (I), and selenium (Se) in wheat ( L.) grains represent a major cause of micronutrient malnutrition (hidden hunger) in human populations. Genetic biofortification represents a highly useful solution to this problem.

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Salt stress is becoming a major issue for the world's environment and agriculture economy. Different iron [Fe] sources can give an environmentally friendly alternative for salt-affected soil remediation. In this study the effects of Iron sulfate on Luffa cylindrica (Sponge gourd) cultivated in normal and saline water irrigated soil were examined.

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Nano-biochar is a source of blackish carbonaceous material, a prerequisite for sustainable crop productivity. By using a variety of feedstock materials, nanobiochar synthesis can be employed via pyrolysis. Therefore, a project was initiated to explore the morpho-physio-biochemical alteration at the vegetative stage of wheat crops after the foliar application of nanobiochar suspension (NBS).

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Research on nanoparticles (NPs) is gaining great attention in modulating abiotic stress tolerance and improving crop productivity. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on growth and biochemical characteristics in two maize hybrids (YH-5427 and FH-1046) grown under normal conditions or subjected to saline stress. A pot-culture experiment was carried out in the Botanical Research Area of "the University of Lahore", Lahore, Pakistan, in a completely randomized design.

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To investigate the toxic effects of lead (Pb) on key metabolic activities essential for proper germination and seedling growth of maize seeds, experiments were carried out with different levels of Pb (0 to 120 mg of Pb L as PbCl) applied through growth medium to two maize hybrids H-3310S and H-6724. The research findings indicated that growth and metabolic activities were adversely affected by increased Pb contamination in growth medium; however, a slow increase in these parameters was recorded with increasing time from 0 to 120 h. Protease activity decreased with an increase in the level of Pb contamination but increased with time; consequently, a reduction in seed proteins and an increase in total free amino acids were observed with time.

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Cadmium(Cd) an industrial poison present abundantly in the environment, causes human toxicity by an inflammatory process. Chronic exposure of cadmium can cause a number of molecular lesions that could be relevant to oncogenesis, through indirect or epigenetic mechanisms, potentially including abnormal activation of oncogenes and suppression of apoptosis by depletion of antioxidants. As induction of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is linked to inflammatory processes, use of luteolin, epiafzelechin, and albigenin alone or in different combinations may be used as anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.

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The contamination of food commodities with mycotoxins could be a serious health threat to humans and animals. Therefore, identification, quantification and reduction of mycotoxins in food commodities, particularly of aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in grain foods, is essentially required to guarantee safe food. This study determined the levels of AFs and OTA in 135 maize grains samples belonging to eight salient maize varieties cultivated in Pakistan, and evaluated the usefulness of radiations and adsorbents to reduce their levels.

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Widespread malnutrition of zinc (Zn), iodine (I), iron (Fe) and selenium (Se), known as hidden hunger, represents a predominant cause of several health complications in human populations where rice ( L.) is the major staple food. Therefore, increasing concentrations of these micronutrients in rice grain represents a sustainable solution to hidden hunger.

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Nitric oxide (NO) is a key signaling molecule that instigates significant changes in plant metabolic processes and promotes tolerance against various environmental stresses including drought. In this study, we focused on NO-mediated physiological mechanisms and enzymatic activities that influence the nutrient concentrations and yield in maize under drought stress. The drought-tolerant (NK-8711) and sensitive (P-1574) maize hybrids were sown in lysimeter tanks and two levels of water stress (well-watered at100% field capacity and drought stress at 60% field capacity) were applied at three-leaves stage of maize.

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The contamination of food with mycotoxins could be a major health risk. Identification and quantification of mycotoxins in maize are essentially required to guarantee food safety. Seven commonly grown maize cultivars were sown at semi-arid conditions in Pakistan.

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Soil salinity is one of the primary problem for agricultural crops which causes a great loss in crop production in Pakistan and worldwide. Various approaches have been implemented to overcome salinity problem. Assembly of crops for the enhancement of salt tolerance is a good strategy to achieve cost-effective yields.

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The negative effect of excess nickel (Ni) on plants is well investigated but there is only little information on its influence on root anatomy and a possible amelioration by chelating agents. In this study, we utilized light microscopy to observe anatomical changes in canola (Brassica napus) roots and investigated the element content by X-ray microanalysis. Ni-tolerant (Con-II) and Ni-sensitive cultivars (Oscar) were selected for this purpose.

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Zinc or copper deficiency and salinity are known soil problems and often occur simultaneously in agriculture soils. Plants undergo various changes in physiological and biochemical processes to respond to high salt in the growing medium. There is lack of information on the relation of exogenous application of Zn and Cu with important salinity tolerance mechanisms in plants.

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Article Synopsis
  • Brassinosteroids (BRs) are important plant hormones that help plants deal with different types of stress, both from pests and environmental factors.
  • Researchers are focusing on how applying BRs externally can improve plant resilience and activate stress-related defense mechanisms, leading to a greater understanding of their complex interactions.
  • The review discusses examples of BRs enhancing antioxidant systems and regulating transcription factors in response to various stressors, suggesting future research could further illuminate how BRs help plants thrive under challenging conditions.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines how lead (Pb) contamination in agricultural soils affects maize seedling growth and the potential of KNO seed priming to mitigate these effects.* -
  • Results show that Pb exposure significantly hinders growth and increases Pb accumulation in roots, but KNO seed priming enhances germination rates and improves the plants' physiological responses despite Pb toxicity.* -
  • The conclusion suggests that KNO seed priming can help maize better cope with Pb contamination, making it a useful strategy for cultivating crops in contaminated soils.*
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The spinach was tested in the present studies for its phytoextraction potential. Furthermore, the study assessed whether organic chelants could reduce oxidative stress, and thus enhance growth of spinach plants under 2.42 and 4.

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Article Synopsis
  • Climate change is a major global challenge that has made many countries vulnerable, particularly through its effects on water scarcity and food security.
  • Drought conditions, intensified by climate change, lead to oxidative stress in plants, harming essential cellular components and limiting their growth and photosynthesis.
  • Selenium (Se) is being studied for its potential benefits in helping plants withstand drought stress by improving growth, reducing oxidative damage, and enhancing water regulation.
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Six cultivars of safflower which were (PI-387820, PI-251978, PI-170274, PI-387821, PI-386174 and Thori-78) grown in net house of NIAB under salinity (10 ds m⁻¹) and drought (60% field capacity) conditions and compared to their oxidative damage and antioxidative responses. Plant samples (leaves) were collected for the determination of malonidialdehyde (MDA), antioxidative enzymes (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and peroxidase), proline, and photosynthetic pigments. Salinity and drought decreased the chlorophyll a and b contents but a decrease in chlorophyll a and b was less in safflower variety (THORI-78) which could be a useful marker for selecting a stress tolerant variety.

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Canola (Brassica napus L.) is commonly used as a hyper-accumulator for phytoextraction of heavy metals from soil and water. Like many other heavy metals, lead (Pb) contaminates soil, water and air and thus it is a great problem.

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To assess the toxic effect of nickel (Ni) on the growth and some key metabolic processes in sunflower, varying levels of Ni as Ni(NO(3))(2) up to 60 mg L(-1) were applied once to sunflower cultivars SF-187 and Hysun-33 at sowing time in sand culture. An increase in Ni in the growth medium adversely affected growth parameters, sugar concentration (both reducing and non-reducing), as well as the activities of α-amylase and protease. It also slowed down mobilization of stored proteins and amino acids in the germinating seeds.

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Carbamazepine is a (CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 enzyme inducer) medicine which is used by epileptic patients for a long time. During the course of therapy, patients are generally caught by other diseases like urinary tract infections, upper respiratory tract infection, skin and soft tissue infection etc. To cure them, physicians commonly prescribe fluoroquinolones like Ciprofloxacin (CYP1A2 inhibitor) along with Carbamazepine (CBZ).

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