S. Umar

• PhD
• Jamia Hamdard

Lignans are a prominent group of phenolic compounds ubiquitously present in the plant kingdom, playing a critical role in both plant physiology and human health. Structurally they are characterized by the dimerization of two phenylpropane units to attain diverse chemical configurations that contribute to their wide range of biological activities. I...

Carbohydrates, lipids (mostly fats and oils), proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water are the six main classes of nutrients found in foods. After carbohydrates, oils are important source of major calories required in the human diet. Oils act as a vehicle for some of the important vitamins and possess a range of nutrients and bio-active compounds. T...

This study was conducted in Kebbi State. The objectives were to describe the socioeconomic characteristics of rice farmers who participated in West African Cotton Company (WACOT) (WACOT) out-growers scheme in Kebbi State and assess the rice farmers' perception small holder rice farmers on WACOT out-grower scheme. A two-stage sampling technique was...

Drought stress poses a significant threat to crop productivity worldwide, necessitating innovative approaches to mitigate its adverse impact on crops. This study investigates the combined effects of methyl jasmonate and Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens) under drought conditions in providing resilience to mustard plants (Brassica juncea) by b...

This study analyzed the factors influencing adoption of recommended onion production practices by farmers in Aliero and Yauri Local Government Areas (LGAs), Kebbi State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 160 farmers for the study. The results on the factors influencing adoption of improved onion production practice indica...

Evaluation of genetic variability in germplasm accessions facilitates the optimal application of genetic resources to produce new cultivars. In the present study, the genetic diversity among ten linseeds (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions was studied using different agro-morphological and biochemical parameters. The tested plants were grown in bas...

This study analyzed the livelihood diversification strategies adopted by the fishing communities along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 460 respondents. Multi-stage and proportionate sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents of the study. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution co...

Infrequent and untimely rainfall restricts plants’ water availability which reduces photosynthetic potential, growth, and yield. To cope with drought-induced adversities, utilization of available water and nutrients together with reduction in oxidative stress is primary concern. This study aims to unravel the approach applied by supplementation of...

Salt stress is an alarming abiotic stress that reduces mustard growth and yield. To attenuate salt toxicity effects, plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offers a sustainable approach. Among the various PGPR, Pseudomonas fluorescens ( P. fluorescens NAIMCC‐B‐00340) was chosen for its salt tolerance (at 100 mM NaCl) and for exhibiting various...

Original Research Article This study analyzed the constraints influencing artisanal fisheries along Shiroro and Kainji dams, Nigeria. Questionnaire was used to collect data from 460 respondents. Multi-stage and proportionate sampling techniques were used in selecting the respondents. Descriptive statistical tools (frequency distribution, percentage...

Attributing to the diverse abiotic stresses and climate fluctuations, the agriculture sector is experiencing some serious misfortunes. This largely influenced the growth, yield, and functioning of crops and have further imposed constraints on food security worldwide. Plants confront various abiotic stresses that leads to the generation of reactive...

The severity of salt stress is alarming for crop growth and production and it threatens food security. Strategies employed for the reduction in stress are not always eco-friendly or sustainable. Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) could provide an alternative sustainable stress reduction strategy owning to its role in various metabolic proc...

Crop production is significantly dwindled by a plenitude of pathogens that deprive the host plants of nutrients, alter their physiological processes, and ultimately reduce yield. In order to combat biotic stress and enhance their survival, plants have evolved innate immunity which recognizes the presence of pathogens and stimulates defense response...

The rapidly rising population is calling for the production of more food, yet biotic and abiotic stresses caused by pests and climate change substantially diminish crop yields. This issue may be partly solved by applying silica nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are small-sized particles ranging from 1 to 100 nm that possess enhanced physicochemical prop...

Salt accumulation in soil is a major abiotic stress that reduces plant growth and yield potential. Both ionic and osmotic stresses are consequences that induce oxidative stress in plants. Ethylene and nitric oxide (NO) are excellent signaling molecules that sense stress and signal tolerance and adaptation. Both these gasotransmitters are active und...

Nitric oxide (NO) and abscisic acid (ABA) play a significant role to combat abiotic stress. Application of 100 µM sodium nitroprusside (SNP, NO donor) or ABA alleviated heat stress effects on photosynthesis and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants exposed to 40 °C for 6 h every day for 15 days. We have shown that ABA and NO synergistically...

The availability of potassium in soils is of prime importance in maintaining the balance between nutrient use efficiency and sustainable agriculture. The potassium-solubilizing microorganisms (KSMs) play a significant role in the solubilization of fixed K. The site for solubilization and mineralization is the rhizospheric region and is referred to...

This book on potassium in abiotic stress tolerance deals with the ongoing trend in increasing abiotic stresses and interlinked issues food security. As mineral nutrient potassium holds an important place in agriculture and is involved in various physiological and biochemical processes. It takes part in protein synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, en...

Photosynthesis is a pivotal process that determines the synthesis of carbohydrates required for sustaining growth under normal or stress situation. Stress exposure reduces the photo-synthetic potential owing to the excess synthesis of reactive oxygen species that disturb the proper functioning of photosynthetic apparatus. This decreased photosynthe...

Photosynthesis is a pivotal process that determines the synthesis of carbohydrates required for sustaining growth under normal or stress situation. Stress exposure reduces the photosynthetic potential owing to the excess synthesis of reactive oxygen species that disturb the proper functioning of photosynthetic apparatus. This decreased photosynthes...

Heat stress adversely affects plants growth potential. Global warming is reported to increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of heatwaves, eventually affecting ecology, agriculture and economy. With an expected increase in average temperature by 2–3 °C over the next 30–50 years, crop production is facing a severe threat to sub-optimum gr...

Nutrients present in the soil are taken up by plants for their successful growth and survival. Loss of essential elements from soil, mainly by leaching, volatilization, erosion, and uptake by plants, reduces soil fertility and necessitates application of multiple-element fertilizer to make up this loss. Nutrient use efficiency of plants lies around...

This study examined the role of seed ageing in the control of anti-nutritional factors in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). In differently aged seeds of three cultivars of V. unguiculata (V240, V78 and V585), germination ability and vigour were studied. Effort was also made to assay trypsin inhibitor, phenol and phytic acid, perform protein profiling...

Abiotic stresses are a menace to plant productivity affecting their growth and development potential. The continual rise in temperature irreversibly damages plant physiology, accelerating plant maturity and thereby affecting yield and quality. With global climate change the frequency of heat stress is predicted to increase in the coming years and i...

Heat stress is a major abiotic stress of global concern, affecting plant growth and production of plants, particularly crops worldwide. It occurs due to disturbance in plant metabolism as a consequence of excess generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to oxidative stress. Plants adopt different strategies to overcome the adverse ef...

There is a growing concern over the presence of high concentrations of nitrate in orally consumed herbal remedies. Since nitrate accumulation in the plant body can vary with spatial location in plant and plant development and temporally with photoperiod, understanding the relations between these factors and nitrate contents in the consumed herbs ar...

Safflower is an important multipurpose oilseed crop cultivated in a wide range of ecological habitats in many parts of the world. Nutritional requirements of this plant have not been fully analysed and success in its yield enhancement programmes has not been achieved yet. This paper reports the results of graded doses of potassium in presence of st...

Salinity is a serious threat to plant growth and development worldwide reducing agricultural productivity each year. Ethylene is an important phytohormone that affects plants performance under normal and abiotic stress conditions. In this study, role of ethylene was investigated in mitigating salinity stress (100 mM NaCl) effects on photosynthesis...

Cadmium (Cd) stress is one of the most challenging environmental problems that adversely affects growth and development of plants. Plants adopt various strategies to overcome the adverse effects of Cd stress. Among these, recently phytohormones and osmolytes have been involved in overcoming the adverse effects of Cd stress. Proline is an important...

This study compares the yield and growth patterns of a high zinc-accumulating genotype (HZnG) and a low zinc-accumulating genotype (LZnG) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) grown for 120 days in earthen pots filled with soil at four zinc regimes (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg ZnSO4 kg⁻¹) under naturally illuminated field conditions. Growth parameters were moni...

Drought stress is becoming a major threat to plant productivity loss in agricultural system. The present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological and biochemical alterations induced by salicylic acid (SA) in mustard plant under moderate drought stress conditions. Therefore, a pot culture experiment was conducted to test whether SA applic...

Besides being a rich food source of vital nutrients, many green leafy vegetables are nitrate accumulators. This study is focused on genotypic variability in nitrate accumulation and the diurnal rhythm of nitrate content in different Brassica genotypes. Out of 10 genotypes grown under the same environmental conditions, a high-nitrate-accumulating (H...

Impacts of increasing environmental stresses (such as drought) on crop productivity can be sustainably minimized by using plant-beneficial mineral nutrients (such as sulfur, S). This study, based on a pot-culture experiment conducted in greenhouse condition, investigates S-mediated influence of drought stress (imposed at pre-flowering, flowering, a...

Drought stress is becoming a major threat to plant productivity loss in agricultural system. The present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological and biochemical alterations induced by salicylic acid (SA) in mustard plant under moderate drought stress conditions. Therefore, a pot culture experiment was conducted to test whether SA applic...

Limited supply of reactive nitrogen compounds had been a key constraint to human development before the nineteenth century and mankind would rely heavily and entirely on fossil nitrogen and manure cycling for nitrogen needs. With the development of Haber-Bosch process mankind found a way to an almost inexhaustible supply of cheap reactive nitrogen....

Soil salinity is a major problem effecting plant growth and production at a considerable rate. Alleviation of the adverse effects of salinity stress is desirable for development of salinity tolerant crops. Salinity causes osmotic stress, ionic stress and oxidative stress in plants and disturbs cellular homeostasis. Plants' ability to tolerate osmot...

Ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) cycle metabolism has been regarded as the most important defense mechanism for the resistance of plants under stress. In this study the influence of salicylic acid (SA) was studied on ascorbate-glutathione pathway, S-assimilation, photosynthesis and growth of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) plants subjected to 100 mM...

Photosynthesis is undoubtedly a vital biological process which contributessubstantially towards plant's growth and development. The enzyme ribulose 1, 5-bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) is the most abundant enzyme on planet and plays animportant role in autotrophic carbon fixation. It regulates the pool size of importantphotosynthetic intermediat...

In an effort to improve plant growth and productivity by increasing the amount of N2-fixation, a two-year field experiment was designed to study the combined effect of potassium and two strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum (L-1897 and L-2097) on quantitative and qualitative traits of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). Bacterial inoculation and potassiu...

This study, based on a greenhouse pot culture experiment conducted with 15-day-old rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. cv. Pusa Gold; family Brassicaceae) and moong bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek cv. Pusa Ratna; family Fabaceae) plants treated with cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 50, and 100 mg kg(-1) soil), investigates their potential for Cd accumul...

Ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes were screened for their nickel (Ni) phytoremediation potential under controlled environmental conditions. All ten genotypes were grown hydroponically in aqueous solution containing Ni concentrations (as nickel chloride) ranging from 0 to 50 μM and changes in plant growth, biomass and total Ni uptake...

Aim: To determine the importance of proline in protection of photosynthetic capacity under salt stress in mustard cultivars (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss.). Design of the Study: Mustard plants were grown with or without 100mM NaCl treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The experimental work was carried out in the herbal garden of the Departm...

Plants are severely affected by salinity due to its high magnitude of adverse impacts and worldwide distribution. Among various strategies, nutrient management may be an important aspect in alleviating stress under varied environmental conditions. The uptake and assimilation of sulfur plays an inevitable and imperative role in determining plant gro...

In an effort to improve plant growth and productivity by increasing the amount of N2-fixation, a two-year field experiment was designed to study the combined effect of potassium and two strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum (L-1897 and L-2097) on quantitative and qualitative traits of lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). Bacterial inoculation and potassiu...

'Nitrate in Leafy Vegetables: Toxicity and Safety Measures' represents the first comprehensive compilation of the latest science of the dietary nitrate sources, potential human health effects and sustainable remedial strategies. The text provides practical, data-driven resources based upon the totality of the evidence to help the reader understand...

The effectiveness of ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes (viz. Agrani, BTO, Kranti, Pusa Bahar, Pusa Basant, Pusa Bold, Pusa Jai Kisan, Vaibhav, Vardhan and Varuna) were evaluated for their potential to phytoremediate copper from contaminated waters under laboratory controlled conditions. The genotypes were grown for 20 d in aqueous s...

Artemisinin and its derivatives are potent anti-malarials and have become essential components of Artemisinin Based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for malarial treatment. Over 1 million deaths and 300-500 million cases of malaria are reported annually. Production of artemisinin is less as regards its world demand and access to ACTs is still limited i...

In a hydroponic culture, experiments were performed to study the influence of potassium (K) supplementation (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg L(-1)) on the arsenic (As; 0, 8, and 10 mg L(-1))-accrued changes in growth traits (plant biomass, root-shoot length) and the contents of lepidine, As and K, in garden cress (Lepidium sativum Linn.) at 10 days a...

Ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes were screened for their phytoremediation potential for arsenic (As) contaminated water under laboratory-controlled conditions. The genotypes were grown in a hydroponic chamber for 20 days in 250-mL beakers containing As-contaminated water. During plant development, changes in plant growth, biomass,...

To preserve the soils from deterioration caused by the overuse of fertilizers and also because of the continuous price increase of mineral fertilizers, alternative ways must be adopted to reduce their use in agriculture. On the other hand, the increasing world population demands high crop production to meet the food needs in the future. Intercroppi...

Mineral nutrients are the integral part of the agricultural systems. Among important plant nutrients, nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) are known essential elements for growth, development, and various physiological functions in plants. Oleiferous brassicas (rapeseed and mustard) require higher amounts of S in addition to N for optimum growth and yield....

Plants are static in nature and, therefore, they encounter a number of biotic and abiotic stress factors during their life cycle. Plants' responses to these stress factors are differential and complex. Since the past decade, “omics” technologies are providing the major clues for understanding plant stress response mechanisms important for crop impr...

This chapter introduces the plant family Brassicaceae (Cruciferae or mustard family) and also summarizes significant roles of some representative plant species from this family for metals and metalloids phytoremediation. Brassicaceae family is one of the largest dicot families of flowering (angiospermic) plant kingdom which comprises 10–19 tribes w...

Toxic metals (TMs) and metalloids are natural components of environments, but elevated toxic levels and high persistence of TMs and metalloids in major compartments of the biosphere has posed various uncompromising and fatal effects on flora and fauna, and thus, has threatened the stability of the ecosystems as well. In addition, with the rapid inc...

The rapid increase in the contamination of the environment by toxic metals (TMs) and metalloids is posing serious threats to biotic communities. Plants are among the organisms most vulnerable to TMs and metalloids due to their sedentary and stationary existence under changing environmental conditions. Toxic metals- and metalloids-stress-impacts cau...

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution , the biosphere has been continuously polluted with a myriad of contaminants that urgently need global attention. In this perspective, most of the genera of the plant family Brassicaceae (Crucifereae or the mustard family) are significant parts of the plants- and associated microbes-based strategies adop...

Ten Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) genotypes were screened for their phytoremediation potential for arsenic (As) contaminated water under laboratory controlled conditions. The genotypes were grown in a hydroponic chamber for 20 d in 250 mL beakers containing As contaminated water. During plant development, changes in plant growth, biomass and...

Salinity is an important abiotic factor that adversely affects major agricultural soils of the world and hence limits crop productivity. An optimum mineral-nutrient status of plants plays critical role in determining plant tolerance to various stresses. A pot experiment was conducted on mustard (Brassica campestris L.) to study the protective role...

Mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern and Coss.) cvs. Pusa Jai Kisan (with low-affinity S transporter (LAT) system) and Pusa Bold (with dual, low- and high-affinity transporters (LAT + HAT) system) were supplied with 0 or 1 mM S in hydroponics culture, and the coordinate changes in growth traits (plant dry weight and leaf area), photosynthetic traits (...

The plants growing in natural field conditions do not express their full genetic potential of nitrogen (N) utilization due to a limiting availability of N at later stages of growth. Their full potential is likely to manifest under non-limiting nitrogen supply wherein the high nitrate reductase (HNR) and the low nitrate reductase (LNR) genotypes sho...

Abiotic stresses are the primary cause of crop failure worldwide. Among major abiotic stresses, drought and salinity stresses are becoming more prevalent with increase in the intensity of agriculture. Whereas, the metal pollutants, derived from a growing number of diverse anthropogenic sources, have had enormous impact on different ecosystems inclu...

Ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) cycle metabolism is an essential mechanism for the resistance of plants under stress conditions. In a greenhouse pot experiment, the influence of cadmium (Cd) (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg soil) on plant dry weight and leaf area, photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthetic rate (PN) and chlorophyll (Chl) content) and ox...

Field experiment was conducted to find out the influence of different potassium concentrations [0, 40, 80, 120 kg K ha−1] on the nitrogen, nitrate and sulphur contents, nitrate reductase activity, and yield of three genotypes [G1, G2 and G3] of Lepidium sativum Linn. G2 was found to be most responsive to potassium treatment. K+ fertilization had a...

Environmental stresses result in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants. ROS accumulate in cells and lead to the oxidation of proteins, chlorophyll, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates etc. Cells have evolved intricate defense systems including enzymatic (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), gl...

Plants are sessile organisms that live under a constant barrage of biotic and abiotic insults. Both biotic and abiotic stress factors have been shown to affect various aspects of plant system including the acceleration in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) pathway is a key part of the network of re...

Leafy vegetables occupy a very important place in the human diet, but unfortunately, constitute a group of foods, which contributes maximally to nitrate consumption by living beings. Under excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer, these vegetables can accumulate high levels of nitrate and, on being consumed by living beings, pose serious health...

be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be co...

be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, re-distribution, re-selling, loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be co...

The present study was carried out at the Herbal Garden of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi on Pusa Bharti variety of Spinach Beet (Beta vulgaris Linn.) to understand the effect of potassium with other fertilizers on nitrate accumulation, growth and quality of the leaves. Potassium application along with other fertilizers increased leaf area, per cent dry w...