
Zainul AbideenUniversity of Karachi · DMAK (Institute of Sustainable Halophyte
Zainul Abideen
PhD (UoK+ Germany). Post-doct. (Germany UAE
World Top 2% Scientists (2024)
About
132
Publications
61,720
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Introduction
Screening and domestication of stress tolerant plants to serve as a source of biofuels and other possible usages.
Improvement of biomass production, salinity and drought resistance of plants by different soil emendmends (Biochar, compost and growth promoting bacteria)
Additional affiliations
March 2018 - present
Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization
Position
- Research Officer
November 2007 - present
Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Khan Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization
Position
- HEC indigenous scholar
Education
June 2016 - September 2017
Publications
Publications (132)
The domestication of non-food salt resistant plants could be helpful for biofuel as well as phyto-remediation of salt-affected lands. Limited eco-physiological studies on halophytes are the major bottleneck in developing such plants as energy crops. The aim of the present work was to determine the effect of salt stress on growth, ion homeostasis, w...
An unsustainable supply of fossil fuel necessitates the need to look for suitable alternatives. One solution lies in using plant biomass, which can be converted into a wide range of biofuels. To avoid conflict between feed and fuel, the crops available for human consumption being used presently as biofuel feedstock may be replaced with halophytes,...
Cellulose Environment friendly Lignin Salinity a b s t r a c t World reserves of petroleum are being consumed rapidly and expected to exhaust by the middle of this century. This realization has led to the introduction of various grades of ethanol supplemented fuel. However, ethanol demands met from sources used for food may cause food shortage. Thi...
Fungi elaborate a variety of plant-hydrolyzing enzymes including cellulases, xylanases, pectinases and amylases.
Although these enzymes have potential biotechnological applications, their production at industrial level is limited because
of higher costs of the purified substrates. Hence, the present study was aimed to explore the novel, natural and...
a r t i c l e i n f o Available online xxxx Edited by D De Beer Halophytes, distributed from coastal regions to inland deserts have traditionally been used for medicinal and nutritional purposes. Living in sub-optimal conditions, these plants synthesize stress associated bioactive molecules, which are still remain largely unexplored. In search of n...
The world is facing a consistent increase in human population and a noticeable decrease in cultivable lands due to soil salinization, abrupt climatic changes, and less rainfall. These problems have increased the importance of finding ecologically sustainable solutions to ensure global food security. Using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)...
Stress tolerance in cereal crops like Sorghum is important to address food security and land development for saline agriculture. Salinity is considered one of the most devastating abiotic stresses affecting plant growth and yield, specifically in water-scared areas of the world. Biogas residue is a good source of plant nutrients with enriched ferti...
Finding sustainable and eco-friendly solutions for managing poultry waste is imperative to environmental safety and to maintain the circular economy. This study evaluated the poultry excreta leachate (PEL) as a growth medium for algal strains Oedogonium sp., Cladophora sp., Ulothrix sp., and Spirogyra sp. The results indicated a substantial 80% inc...
Plants are exposed to different types of biotic and abiotic stresses that reduce growth and yield. The review presents the negative effects posed by salinity, water scarcity and phytotoxic metals to the agriculture sector and underscores the protective role of natural and synthetic zeolites to improve the unfavourable growth environment. Furthermor...
Lead is a non-essential and toxic metal for plants. Current study was planned to assess lead induced toxicity with and without NaCl in a halophyte Arthrocaulon macrostachyum. Three month old seedlings (after germination) were grown in pots containing quartz sand and sub-irrigated with 300 mM NaCl and different Pb(NO3)2 concentrations (0, 0.75, 3, 6...
The widespread use of pharmaceuticals, including paracetamol, has raised concerns about their impact on the environment and non-target species. The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical and molecular responses of Spinacia oleracea (spinach) to high paracetamol concentrations in order to understand the plant's stress responses and und...
Purpose Biochar (BC) can directly enhance soil fertility, thereby improving land productivity and crop health and restoring degraded lands. This study aims to investigate the potential of BC, alone or combined with compost, to improve soil proper ties and plant drought tolerance, promoting sustainable agriculture amidst climatic and anthropogenic c...
The expanding global population and the use of conventional agrochemical pesticides have led to the loss of crop yield and food shortages. Excessive pesticide used in agriculture risks life forms by contaminating soil and water resources, necessitating the use of nano agrochemicals. This article focuses on synthesis moiety and use of nanopesticides...
Medicago sativa L. is recognized for its economic value as a forage crop and can serve as an effective bio stimulant to enhance soil fertility and plant productivity. In present study, leaf of M. sativa powdered were pre pared in form of pellets and capsules and administered to the soil with different numbers (1, 3 and 5 respec tively) to assess th...
Fossil fuels are primary sources for energy production. Increased dependence on fossil fuels has resulted in increased environmental issues demanding alternative sources. Bioenergy is becoming a popular alternative energy source due to its positive environmental impact and the availability of renewable sources. However, the availability of renewabl...
Sub-optimal temperatures posed significant challenges to leaf photosynthesis and plant growth. This study examined the eco-physiological adaptations of a desert vine (Citrullus colocynthis) to unfavorable temperatures (15/25°C, 25/35°C, and 35/45°C) over 35 days. Plants grown in moderate temperatures increased shoot number and leaf canopy (55%), ch...
Industrialization and the ever-increasing world population have diminished high-quality water resources for sustainable agriculture. It is imperative to effectively treat industrial effluent to render the treated water available for crop cultivation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of textile effluent treated with Trametes pubescens MB...
Endophytic bacteria have not been reported widely for their lipolytic abilities, so they are not used for large‐scale lipase production. The purpose of this study was to explore an endophytic bacterium for the production of lipase implementing cost‐effective techniques, including the use of Cassia fistula seeds, as a substrate in the production med...
Solanum erianthum is a medicinal herb that offers health benefits and valuable phytochemicals in treating human ailments. Phytochemicals and therapeutic properties of different parts of S. erianthum in four solvents: water, petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol were evaluated. Stem showed high alkaloids (15.40 ± 0.7%) and tannins (8.6 ± 0.3%),...
Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are fluorescent proteins of numerous colors with several
highly conserved structural and physicochemical characteristics. In addition to their energy harvesting function, PBPs have shown multiple biological activities, comprising antibacterial, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. They are also applied in areas of biomedi...
Salinity negatively affects maize growth, a cereal crop and used as a vital source of food production. Seaweeds are macro-aquatic biocatalysts and might act as a promising biostimulant for conferring crop salinity resistance by providing essential nutrients and growth-promoting regulators. This study was designed for the first time to examine the e...
Depletion of conventional energy resources necessitates the exploration of new alternative raw materials for sustainable biofuel production to improve socio-economic development. This research focuses on the cultivation of specific algae varieties, biomass quantification, fatty acid profiling, and their potential application in biodiesel production...
The growth and metabolic activities plants are prominently influenced by the biotic and abiotic stress. Different bio-fertilizers and phytohormone are used as bio-stimulant to mitigate these stresses to sustain plant physiological output. Trace metals such as lead (Pb) toxicity is a threat to vegetation and induce impairments in morphological and b...
Phyto-pathogenic fungal species is a leading biotic stress factor to agri-food production and ecosystem of globe. Chemical (Systemic fungicides) and biological treatment (micro-organism) are globally accepted methods that are being used against biotic stress (disease) management. Plant Growth-Promoting Microbes are being used as an alternative to e...
The increase in water pollution and land degradation ultimately reduces the supply of clean water for the growing population. Biochar produced from dry fruit shells is an effective adsorbent for organic pollutants. It can help reduce soil contamination and water pollution, making it an important option for land safety. For this experiment, dry frui...
Citrus canker is a disease of economic importance and there are limited biocontrol agents available to mitigate it in an integrated manner. This study was conducted to combat citrus canker disease using biologically active nanoparticles (Ag, Cu and ZnO and 300, 900, 1200, and 1500 ppm) synthesized from macromolecules extracted from alga, Oedogonium...
Various pollutants like heavy metals, oils, and other industrial discharges are known to contaminate water. CurrentlyCurrently different conventional and technical methods, membrane technology is considered as more efficient than other conventional methods for water treatment. Several treatment technologies offor wastewater have been adopted for th...
Halophytes contain many secondary metabolites that can facilitate the capping and stabilizing of nanoparticles. Synthesis and optimization of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Phragmites karka were performed for the first time in this study to assess the salinity resilience of tomato seedlings in 100 mM NaCl using biotechnological applications and grow...
Moisture, salinity, heat, and drought are some of the main ecological extremities that recruit anomalous metabolic process which not only effect the plant growth and development but also lessen the crop production. Present eco-friendly approach was intended to explore the integrated role of soil bacteria (Azotobacter vinelandii) on aerenchyma forma...
Mung bean cropping plays a vital role in providing essential nutrition and serving as a significant summer crop to feed billions of people worldwide. However, allelopathy poses a threat to the sustainability and productivity of this system. The residues of pearl millet plants contain allelochemicals that can negatively impact weed growth in various...
Nanocomposites are emerging as a new generation of materials that can be used to combat water pollution. Zeolite-based nanocomposites consisting of combinations of metals, metal oxides, carbon materials, and polymers are particularly effective for separating and adsorbing multiple contaminants from water. This review presents the potential of zeoli...
Worldwide ecological systems associated with plants have changed because of recent abrupt and fast climatic changes. Physiological, phenological, species distributional, interspecific, and disturbance regime alterations have all been connected to global warming. Future climate change projections will probably cause even more pronounced changes in t...
Using green synthesis methods to produce halophytic nanoparticles presents a promising and cost-effective approach for enhancing plant growth in saline environments, offering agricultural resilience as an alternative to traditional chemical methods. This study focuses on synthesizing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles derived from the halophyte Withani...
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels and coal are primary contributors of greenhouse gases leading to global climate change and warming. The toxicity of heavy metals and metalloids in the environment threatens ecological functionality, diversity and global human life. The ability of microalgae to thrive in harsh enviro...
Enhancing the productivity and bioactivity of high-functional foods holds great significance. Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have a recognized capacity for boosting both plant growth and the efficacy of primary and secondary metabolites. Furthermore, while salinity diminishes plant growth, it concurrently amplifies the production of phytomolecules. To...
The bioremediation of soils contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) has emerged as a promising approach, with its effectiveness contingent upon various types of PHCs, i.e., crude oil, diesel, gasoline, and other petroleum products. Strategies like genetically modified microorganisms, nanotechnology, and bioaugmentation hold potential for en...
Farming practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation systems, and soil tillage practices, along with climate conditions and soil type play important roles in determining final crop production. Numerous empirical studies have documented the heterogeneous effects of cover crops on the yield of successive crops, exhibiting variations across diverse...
The potential of macroalgae as biostimulants in agriculture and biotechnology is getting attention because they enhance the growth of various edible crops. Thus, the current study deals with the potential of marine algae (Enteromorpha intestinalis) seaweed (SW) powder for its effect on seed germination, growth, biochemical parameters, and pigment c...
High temperatures, soil salinity, a lack of available water, loose soils with low water holding, and low soil fertility are obstacles that encounter restoration efforts in degraded drylands and desert ecosystems. Improved soil physical and chemical properties, seed germination and seedling recruitment, and plant growth are all proposed as outcomes...
The prevalence of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) caused by electromagnetic radiation is increasing in our daily lives, potentially bringing both adverse and beneficial effects. EMFs have garnered significant research attention in various disciplines, including agricultural science. However, our understanding of the impact of EMFs on the ecophysiolog...
In recent years, the relationship between plants and nanoparticles (NPs) has been the subject of extensive research interest. Hence, an ever-increasing number of perspectives connected with both the positive and adverse consequences of NPs application in plants are highlighted in this review. On the other hand, nanoparticles and their interactive e...
Microbial inoculants for controlling soil pathogens are an environmentally sustainable approach for attaining agricultural intensification. Charcoal root rot pathogens might threaten global food security and degrade prime agricultural lands. Microbial antagonists to control Charcoal root disease was not properly studied with reference to physiologi...
Green synthesis of nano-fertilizers is emerging as a potential strategy and could play a crucial role in disease mitigation, diagnosis, or suppression. Different nanoscale devices (nanoparticles, NPs), biosensors, nano-diagnostic kits, nanofabrication, nanobarcodes, microRNA detection, quantum dots, and nanopore sequencing systems can be used to di...
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methioxytryotamine) is a nontoxic biological signaling molecule and powerful antioxidiant that can improve plants growth under saline condition. This study investigated the ability of melatonin to alleviate salinity stress in white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings. Exogenous melatonin with 0, 25, 50, and 100 µM concentr...
Brassica species show varying levels of resistance to salt stress. To understand the genetics underlying these differential stress tolerance patterns in Brassicas, we exposed two widely cultivated amphidiploid Brassica species having different genomes, Brassica juncea (AABB, n = 18) and Brassica napus (AACC, n = 19), to elevated levels of NaCl conc...
Soil copper (Cu2+) contamination is a source of phytotoxicity and biochar incorporation is a possible mitigation strategy for improving plant performance and avoiding Cu2+ contamination. This study evaluated the effect of biochar (0, 1 and 2% BC) and/or copper (0 and 100 ppm) on growth, photosynthesis, Cu2+ accumulation, and mineral content of maiz...
Nitrogen, despite being essential for the growth of plants, can pose serious threats to the ecological environment when applied excessively as fertilizers. The application of nanomaterials has a catalytic effect on crop growth and a restorative effect on the environment. However, their effect on mitigating ammonium stress in crops is poorly underst...
There exists a global challenge of feeding the growing human population of the world and supplying its energy needs without exhausting global resources. This challenge includes the competition for biomass between food and fuel production. The aim of this paper is to review to what extent the biomass of plants growing under hostile conditions and on...
Heavy metals are notoriously toxic pollutants which can potentially harm living beings and are serious health hazards. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) throughout the year in the urban areas of the densely populated industrial city of Faisalabad in eight commonly raised ornamental tree species wi...
Abstract: Good quality water and arable land are required for both domestic and agricultural uses. Increasing population leads to urbanization and industrialization increasing the need to share these resources and creating threats to the food supply. Higher meat consumption requires mitigation strategies to protect food and mitigate economic crises...
The present paper elaborates the results of vegetation and floristic research carried out in the valley of Hunza, Central Karakorum Mountains, northern Pakistan. The field surveys conducted from 2011-2012 ended with the collection of 324 species in 183 genera and 48 families. Based on geo-climatic conditions and floristic assemblage the vegetation...
Pakistan-Afghan border is famous for diverse flora harbouring substantial endemic, medicinal and wild food plant species. The current study presents the results of floristic study conducted in the Valley of Kurram Pak-Afghan border from 2015-2018. The study documented 365 plant species belonging to 244 genera and 86 families. Asteraceae was the lea...
Large-scale pollution of water and soils bodies is associated with the discharge of the untreated textile industry effluents. Halophytes grows on saline lands and accumulate secondary metabolites and other stress protective compounds. Utilization of Chenopodium album (halophytes) to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) and their efficiency to treat differen...
Several strategies have been proposed recently to reduce the accumulated harmful circumstances of intensive conventional farming practices. The adoption of conservation soil tillage and organic fertilization techniques could contribute to achieving this goal. The study was conducted over a three-year trial to assess the effects of soil tillage prac...
The present work focuses on the optimization of the energy conversion process and the use of algal resources for biodiesel production with ultrasound and microwave techniques in Oedogonium, Oscillatoria, Ulothrix, Chlorella, Cladophora, and Spirogyra for the first time. The fuel properties are investigated to optimize the efficiency of the newly em...
Plants in coastal ecosystems are primarily known as natural sinks of trace metals and their importance for phytoremediation is well established. Salvadora persica L., a medicinally important woody crop of marginal coasts, was evaluated for the accumulation of metal pollutants (viz. Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr) from three coastal areas of Karachi on...
Soil CO 2 Emission and C Storage in the Mediterranean Environment. Land 2023, 12, 326. Abstract: At present, the role of agricultural practices on the dynamic of GHGs is being investigated worldwide. In this study, the effects of soil tillage practices (conventional vs. conservation techniques) and fertilization sources (inorganic vs. organic) on s...
Interactive climate factors, the industrial revolution, excessive fertilizer use, pesticides, wastewater use in agriculture, landfill leachates, and mine tailings cause land degradation and reduce crop production worldwide. Biochar can mitigate global climate change, reduce soil degradation, drought, and waterlogging effects, and increase crop prod...
Biofuel generation from algae could be increased by using nanotechnology. Present study em-phases the use of silver nanoparticles on algae for algal fuel generation along with impact of nanopartles on biomass, metabolites and lipid profile. Silver ions amassing was enhanced in each algal species, but maximum phytoremediation was found in Ulothrix s...
Strain improvement through mutagenesis has remained an effective strategy for the cost-effective production of industrially important enzymes. Here, we focused on random mutagenesis of a pectinolytic yeast, Geotrichum candidum AA15, and on utilization of halophytic biomass along with apple waste as substrate for pectinase production to make the pro...
Cover cropping is a promising and sustainable agronomic practice to ameliorate soil health and crop performances in agro-ecosystems. Indeed, cover crops (CCs) may regulate several ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling, soil fertility, moderation of extreme meteorological events, pollination, and climate and water regulation; in addition, CCs...
Wastewater from tanneries may ruin agricultural fields by polluting them with trace metals. The synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) from algal sources and their application could help in decreasing hazardous materials, for environmental safety. The potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles made from Oedogonium sp. was evaluated for removal of heavy metals...
Growth stimulating bacteria help remediate dry arid soil and plant stress. Here, Pseudomonas sp. and Pantoea sp. we used to study the stress ecology of Hordeum vulgare and the environmental impact of water deficit on soil characteristics, growth, photosynthesis apparatus, mineral acquisition and antioxidiant defense. Plants inoculated with Pseudomo...