Mahmoud Seleiman

• Doctor of Sciences (DSc) University of Helsinki, Finland 2014
• Professor (Associate) at King Saud University

Climate change, a complex phenomenon characterized by long-term alterations in Earth's climate, results from human-induced factors such as population growth, pollutants, and land degradation. This escalation contributes to the increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs), which include nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2). GHGs inten...

Climate-related challenges in rice production in Indonesia underscore the necessity for early-maturing rice varieties. Developing these varieties can enhance productivity by shortening cropping cycles, although the process is often time-consuming, costly, and requires testing across multiple locations. Thus, modeling approaches offer efficient mean...

Background In this study, we report the biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) using aqueous leaf extracts of Withania coagulans, which act as both reducing and capping agents. The goal was to synthesize and characterize the silver nanoparticles and evaluate their biological properties. Results The silver nanoparticles were characterized...

Background Alkaline soils present significant challenges for sustainable agriculture, especially in regions where zinc deficiency limits both crop productivity and human nutrition. In this context, managing organic matter and micronutrient deficient soils is becoming a hot burning issue for the scientific community for ensuring both soil health and...

With increasing water scarcity and the need for sustainable agricultural practices, the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation has gained attention. Although there are studies on the short-term effects of wastewater irrigation, limited research focuses on the long-term implications across various crop seasons in drainage basin regions. Hence, t...

Funding: Researchers Supporting Project number (RSPD2025R751) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is acknowledged. Keywords: amino acids metabolism | carbon-free plant | metabolic pathway | osmotic adjustment | proteins elicited by salinity | purging nut ABSTRACT Salinity stress is a significant environmental factor limiting the productivit...

A field experiment was performed at the forage research plot of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India, during the winter season of 2022-23 to study the impact of different nitrogen levels and varieties on growth and fodder yield of maize varieties. The study was carried out in split plot design with three nitrogen...

Irrigation water quality is of critical importance for optimum crop yield of economically important field crops in the Kahramanmaraş plains. A preliminary ecotoxicological assessment is necessary before large-scale irrigation. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the quality of irrigation water supplied from different water sources (Karasu, Erken...

Background Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient in higher plants, contributing to various physiological processes. However, its protective mechanism in mitigating salt stress remained less understood. This study investigates that exogenous boron (0, 1, 2 kg ha− 1) can help alleviate salt stress (0, 60, 120 mM NaCl) in two soybean cultivars AARI-...

Background The cysteine-rich receptor-like kinases (CRKs) family in plants have been reported to perform multiple functions against various stresses. However, the CRK family in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) has not been well-explored. Herein, a comprehensive genome-wide identification and characterization of the CRK gene family has been carrie...

Nanofertilizers (NFs) are nano-sized chemical substances capable of delivering nutrients to plants for extended periods and with considerably higher efficiency as compared to conventional fertilizers. The application of nanoparticles in agriculture is fairly recent, however, has gained much interest from the scientific community due to spectacular...

Renewable energy sources are essential to mitigating climate change, with biofuels offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Jatropha curcas, the best, non-edible, high-oil-yielding species, is a leading candidate for biodiesel production. However, ensuring a stable seed supply through effective storag...

Citation: Suarez-Padrón, I.E.; Pompelli, M.F.; Carlucci, C.; Perneth-Montaño, M.J.; Ruiz, A.J.B.; Seleiman, M.F.; Alotaibi, M.; Almutairi, K.F.; Oviedo Zumaque, L.E.; Pineda-Rodríguez, Y.Y.; et al. Jatropha curcas Seed Germination: Effect of Seed Imbibition, Aging, Storage, and Salinity. Horticulturae 2025, 11, 258. Abstract: Renewable energy sourc...

The increasing severity of salinity stress, exacerbated by climate change, poses significant challenges to sustainable agriculture, particularly in salt-affected regions. Soil salinity, impacting approximately 20% of irrigated lands, severely reduces crop productivity by disrupting plants’ physiological and biochemical processes. This study evaluat...

Soil salinity is a growing global concern, necessitating the development of salt-tolerant cotton cultivars to enhance the utilization of salt-affected soils and boost crop productivity. Salt tolerance is regulated by a complex interplay of genetic and physiological factors involving multiple genes. To investigate the genetic basis of salt stress to...

Developing F3 transgenic segregants has significant potential to improve cayenne pepper varieties. However, current evaluation methods are often inconsistent and inaccurate, hindering the identification of effective traits. Traditional approaches only focus on a few aspects, thus not covering the full potential performance of the genotype. Utilizin...

The development of transgressive segregant (TS) selection on convergent breeding populations of S4 maize is a concept that is rarely applied. However, the development of TS is necessary to accelerate maize breeding pipelines. Therefore, the objectives of this study were (1) to develop the concept of TS selection and (2) to select S4 TS maize to be...

Mukia javanica is a close relative of the cucumber (Cucumis sativus) used to treat hypertension in the Leuwiliang community. Cucumis sativus contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, which help lower blood pressure. In contrast, the content of metabolite compounds that are useful for lowering blood pressure in M. javanica has not been...

Purpose This study explored how exogenous silicon (Si) affects growth and salt resistance in maize. Methods The maize was cultivated in sand-filled pots, incorporating varied silicon and salt stress (NaCl) treatments. Silicon was applied at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mM, and salt stress was induced using 0, 60 and120 mM concentrations. Soil salinity trigge...

Soybean-wheat sequence, one of the most vital cropping systems for farmers, has been suffering for productivity stagnation and decline due to several factors. Strategic management of the inputs particularly the nutrients could aid the crops achieve optimum growth and yield. Keeping this in mind, four years of field experiment was conducted to study...

Soybean-wheat sequence, one of the most vital cropping systems for farmers, has been suffering for productivity stagnation and decline due to several factors. Strategic management of the inputs particularly the nutrients could aid the crops achieve optimum growth and yield. Keeping this in mind, four years of field experiment was conducted to study...

Creating salt-tolerant genotypes is crucial for maximizing the productivity under salinized land. To evaluate genetic diversity for salt tolerance, 35 diverse cotton accessions were screened under 17 dS m−1 salt stress conditions using 20 agronomic and physiological traits relevant to salt tolerance. The general linear model analysis indicated sign...

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are popular horticultural plants worldwide. The current study aimed to investigate the optimal mutagenic conditions for marigold seeds using EMS (ethyl methanesulfonate) mutagenesis. Different concentrations and treatment times of EMS were applied to investigate their effects on the marigold seed germination rate, growth tr...

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most economically important crops worldwide. However, high salt stress in soil, resulting from agricultural practices and climate change, can pose a substantial risk to cotton growth and productivity. The objective of this research was to assess the ability of several G. hirsutum genotypes against variou...

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the role of thiourea exogenous application (0 mg/L and 100 mg/L) on the morphological, physiological, and yield traits of two varieties of tomato (Naqeeb and Nadir) under different salt stress treatments (0, 60, and 120 mM) in completely randomized design (CRD). The imposition of salinity by rooting med...

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is an important tropical legume mainly cultivated in South and East Asia but remains a minor grain legume in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). It has considerable potential for improving soil fertility and enhancing food security for smallholder farmers. Mungbean's short-duration growth cycle, symbiotic atmospheric nitr...

Community drinking water sources are increasingly contaminated by various point and non-point sources, with emerging organic contaminants and microbial strains posing health risks and disrupting ecosystems. This study explores the use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as a non-specific agent to address groundwater contamination and combat micro...

Field crops such as wheat, alfalfa, ryegrass, and corn play a vital role in agriculture and livestock production, particularly in the Kahramanmaras plain, irrigated by the Aksu River and the Sır Dam. Given the critical importance of irrigation water quality for optimal crop production, this study aimed to assess the impact of Karasu, Erkenez, and O...

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. These NPs are used in food packaging materials, self-cleaning glass, ceramics, deodorants, sunscreens, paints, coatings, ointments, lotions, and as preservatives. This study explored the biological potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using H. rariflorum. Methods: In...

Researchers have repeatedly emphasized how urgently we have to decrease the massive nitrogen fertilizer consumption to support agricultural productivity and maintain a sustainable ecosystem. Using chitosan (CS) as a carrier for slow release is considered a potential tool for reducing synthetic fertilizer and improving crop productivity. Therefore,...

Background Soil pollution by petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) reduces yield by changing the physico-chemical properties of soil and plants due to PHCs’ biotoxicity and persistence. Thus, removing PHCs from the soil is crucial for ecological sustainability. Microbes-assisted phytoremediation is an economical and eco-friendly solution. The current work...

Elevated temperatures during grain filling stage, exceeding the optimal range by 3–4 °C, not only results in a substantial yield reduction in wheat by 10–50% but activates disease and insect infestation. In this research, we introduced heat-tolerant MYB36 and APX-1 gene cassettes into wheat, employing an efficient Agrobacterium mediated transformat...

The genotype evaluation process requires analysis of GxE interactions to ascertain the responsiveness of a genotype to various environments, including the development of early maturing rice. However, the concept of interaction is relatively specific to grain yield. In contrast, grain yield is highly polygenic, so assessment should be carried out wi...

Background and Aims: Zinc (Zn) is an essential microelement that plants need for appropriate growth and development. However, high concentrations may hamper the physio-chemical and metabolic processes and weaken plant growth. This study aims to broadly explore the relative tolerance of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars, and examine their phys...

Peach production faces significant pre-harvest challenges, including low moisture, nutrient deficiencies, flower drop, physical damage, and surface discoloration, which can limit yield and fruit quality. To mitigate these issues, the present study hypothesized that foliar applications of silicon and zinc could enhance peach growth, yield, and quali...

Agroforestry, a dynamic land management approach, integrates the cultivation of trees, crops, and livestock to create resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. This review explores the diverse landscape of major agroforestry systems, emphasizing their definitions, significance, and contributions to sustainable agriculture. The introductory se...

Growing industrialization and agricultural activities release into the atmosphere greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate variability. Natural resources are under tremendous strain as a result of these changes. Deforestation, land degradation, water scarcity, and a host of health problems are frequently brought on by climate change. Through t...

An increase in pressure on the natural resources triggered by human activities and population growth has changed and narrowed the aptitude of ecosystems to function and offer services, hence resulting in environmental instability. The decline in the ecosystem’s ability to offer services is highly attributed to the deforestation process mainly throu...

An experiment was conducted to investigate the optimal use of high-salt water for alfalfa fodder growth and quality in Aridisol. The experiment included five treatments and was performed using a completely randomized design (CRD) as factorial design with three replications. We used a leaching fraction technique (LF), which is a mitigating technique...

درست التغيرات التشريحية في الأنسجة الداخلية للساق والورقة عند معاملة البذور والنبات بالأحماض لتعزيز النمو والتطور في الذرة الصفراء خلال فصلي الربيع لعامي 2019 و2020. تم تطبيق تصميم القطاعات الكاملة المعشاة بترتيب الالواح المنشقة بثلاثة مكررات. تضمنت الالواح الرئيسة معاملات التغذية الورقية (حامض الأسكوربيك (AA) وحامض الستريك (CA) بتركيز 100 ملغم لتر...

Background: The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) bioinoculants and their carrier-based biofertilizers on the physiology of soybean. Methods: Seeds of two soybean varieties (cv. NARC-1 and cv. William-82) were either soaked in broth cultures of two PGPR strains, Planomicrobium chinens...

The development of transgressive segregant (TS) selection on convergent breeding populations of S4 maize is a concept that is rarely applied. Gene construction that focuses on the action of dominant genes and inbreeding depression are obstacles to this development. However, the development of TS is necessary to accelerate maize pipelines. Therefore...

Cellulosic biomass‐to‐bioenergy systems provide fuel, reduce emissions, and offer economic benefits. Corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residues could be used as feedstocks for biofuel production. However, the impact of residue removal on crop productivity in the Mid‐Atlantic region has not been thoroughly assessed. A trial was con...

Green synthesis is an easy, safe, and environmentally beneficial nanoparticle creation method. It is a great challenge to simultaneously improve the capping and stabilizing agent carrier separation efficiency of photocatalysts. Herein, Zn-doped Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with high exposure of 360 nm using a UV/visible spectrophotometer w...

Soils have been getting worse over time, which has led to lower crop yields and nutritional value. This is because of too many conventional fertilizers, anthropogenic activities, and climate change. Soil salinity is also a big problem and challenge for agricultural scientists. To address this issue, nanoparticles are gaining a reputation in agricul...

Achieving the highest seed germination and seedling growth rates is of paramount importance to maximize overall crop productivity. Among different technologies aiming at increasing seed germination and early plant growth, cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) and plasma-activated water (PAW) are two of the most promising. However, CAP has been sho...

This study aimed to use a GIS-based approach in producing soil fertility maps and utilize the spatial data on achieving site-specific management of major nutrients in Morogoro, Tanzania. Soil samples were collected in six mapping units and analyzed for chemical properties such as pH, cation exchange capacity and electrical conductivity. ArcGIS 10.8...

Background Zea mays (maize) is a globally significant cereal crop with diverse applications in food, feed, and industrial products. However, maize cultivation is often challenged by environmental stressors such as heavy metal toxicity and drought stress (DS). Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) can accumulate in soil through industrial act...

The issue of non-renewable energy scarcity has persisted over an extended period, primarily due to the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the adverse effects of their utilization. This scarcity stems from the finite nature of fossil energy resources. The development of oil energy or biofuels aims to utilize oil-producing plants such as Jatropha...

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy, and there is an increasing global emphasis on automating agricultural processes. With the tremendous increase in population, the demand for food and employment has also increased significantly. Agricultural methods traditionally used to meet these requirements are no longer adequate, requiring soluti...

Drought stress poses a significant obstacle to agricultural productivity, particularly in the case of oilseed crops such as sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Selenium (Se) is a fundamental micronutrient that has been recognized for its ability to enhance plant resilience in the face of various environmental stresses. The FH-770 sunflower variety wa...

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest, renowned for its exceptional species richness and high endemism, acts as a vital reservoir of terrestrial biodiversity, often referred to as a biodiversity hotspot. Consequently, there is an urgent need to restore this forest to safeguard certain species and to unravel the ecophysiological adaptations of others. This...

Soil fertility management is essential to sustain agricultural production in smallholder farming systems. An experiment was carried out to assess the viability of the combined use of compost and inorganic fertilizers as an alternative to conventional inorganic fertilization under greenhouse conditions. The 10 treatments, arranged in a randomized co...

The objective of this study is the development of innovative nanocurcumin-based formulations designed for the treatment and prevention of oxidative stress and diabetes. Nanocurcumin was obtained through a micronization process and subsequently encapsulated within biopolymers derived from corn starch and fenugreek mucilage, achieving encapsulation r...

Freezing temperatures are a severe issue in North Florida, primarily due to occasional cold snaps and frost events in winter and early spring that cause damage to citrus groves, resulting in reduced fruit yield. The apoplasm is the primary cell component that interacts with environmental stress and is essential for plant tolerance to freezing tempe...

Macronutrients are essential for plant growth and development because they give plants the building blocks, they need to stay healthy and do important biological processes. A completely randomized designed (CRD) pot experiment was done to find out how nitrogen and sulfur affected the morphology and biochemistry of sunflowers. There were three repli...

Implementing a cropping intensity program with rice cultivation four times a year (CI 400) can be achieved using early maturing varieties of rice. However, this development needs to pay attention to the adaptability of the varieties planted to ensure successful implementation. The adaptability approach is a combination of assessing stability and pr...

Background Soil salinity is one of the major menaces to food security, particularly in dealing with the food demand of the ever-increasing global population. Production of cereal crops such as wheat is severely affected by soil salinity and improper fertilization. The present study aimed to examine the effect of selected microbes and poultry manure...

In recent years, an increase in weed infestation, which is adversely affecting crop growth and productivity has been a major challenge facing the farmers of South Asia. The adoption of a permanent bed in combination with residue retention-based crop management practices may reduce weed abundance and increase crop productivity. In a two-year field s...

Saffron, the "golden spice" derived from Crocus sativus L., is renowned for its richness in secondary metabolites such as crocin and safranal, contributing to its unique properties. Facing challenges like decreasing global production, optimizing cultivation techniques becomes imperative for enhanced yields. Although the impact of factors like plant...

Hesperidin (HSP), a flavonoid, is a potent antioxidant, metal chelator, mediator of signaling pathways, and regulator of metal uptake in plants. The study examined the ameliorative effects of HSP (100 μM) on Bassia scoparia grown under excessive levels of heavy metals (zinc (500 mg kg⁻¹), copper (400 mg kg⁻¹), cadmium (100 mg kg⁻¹), and chromium (1...

Gangetic old alluvial zone in India has conserved many locally adapted aromatic rice landraces. In order to determine the extent of genetic divergence of ten morphological characters, the study was conducted to examine forty-eight aromatic rice genotypes for six Kharif seasons (2016–2021) at the Instructional Farm of Regional Research Station (Old...

Heavy metals are serious pollutants and their accumulation in the environment imposes great effects on environmental ecology. Cadmium contamination is one of the heavy metals that is currently becoming a serious concern worldwide due to its high toxicity effects leading to worse results on both environmental and human health. This is particularly d...

Dye solubilization in microemulsion based on Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and its modified forms (counter-anions based upon Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺) is comparatively innovative and not explored in existing literature. Here, surfactant with modified counterions (SMCs) were used to study the effects of metal chlorides (ZnCl2, CuCl2 and FeCl3) mo...

Land valuation is essential for developing land use planning and achieving efficient land use, food security, and poverty reduction. This study aimed to assess land suitability for cassava and bean production using the multicriteria decision analysis AHP technique and GIS. Land suitability analysis considers factors affecting crop growth and develo...

In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to investigate the potential of four biocontrol agents (BCAs), namely Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Trichoderma viride, and T. harzianum, individually and in combination with sodium nitrophenolate (SN) to control marigold powdery mildew. The results showed that all treatments led to a sign...

This study uses inflorescence stalk node as explants to establish an efficient and quick Phalaenopsis orchids cloning procedure for the most significant monopodial orchid in floriculture, without callus formation. The current study aimed to develop a rapid and easy regeneration process utilizing flower stalk nodes as explants, while also evaluating...

This study uses inflorescence stalk node as explants to establish an efficient and quick Phalaenopsis orchids cloning procedure for the most significant monopodial orchid in floriculture, without callus formation. The current study aimed to develop a rapid and easy regeneration process utilizing flower stalk nodes as explants, while also evaluating...

Root rot and wilt diseases are among the most pressing obstacles to the production of rose flowers in Egypt. Isolation results showed that these diseases are mainly caused by seven soil-borne fungi. However, Fusarium roseum, Verticillium dahlia, and Rhizoctonia solani were the most pathogenic fungi against Rosa gallica and R. chinensis compared to...