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Li Z, Jiang L, Long P, Wang C, Liu P, Hou F, Zhang M, Zou C, Huang Y, Ma L, Shen Y. A phased small interfering RNA-derived pathway mediates lead stress tolerance in maize. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 196:1163-1179. [PMID: 39074204 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiae397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Phased small interfering RNAs (phasiRNAs) are a distinct class of endogenous small interfering RNAs, which regulate plant growth, development, and environmental stress response. To determine the effect of phasiRNAs on maize (Zea mays L.) tolerance to lead (Pb) stress, the roots of 305 maize lines under Pb treatment were subjected to generation of individual databases of small RNAs. We identified 55 high-confidence phasiRNAs derived from 13 PHAS genes (genes producing phasiRNAs) in this maize panel, of which 41 derived from 9 PHAS loci were negatively correlated with Pb content in the roots. The potential targets of the 41 phasiRNAs were enriched in ion transport and import. Only the expression of PHAS_1 (ZmTAS3j, Trans-Acting Short Interference RNA3) was regulated by its cis-expression quantitative trait locus and thus affected the Pb content in the roots. Using the Nicotiana benthamiana transient expression system, 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends, and Arabidopsis heterologously expressed, we verified that ZmTAS3j was cleaved by zma-miR390 and thus generated tasiRNA targeting ARF genes (tasiARFs), and that the 5' and 3' zma-miR390 target sites of ZmTAS3j were both necessary for efficient biosynthesis and functional integrity of tasiARFs. We validated the involvement of the zma-miR390-ZmTAS3j-tasiARF-ZmARF3-ZmHMA3 pathway in Pb accumulation in maize seedlings using genetic, molecular, and cytological methods. Moreover, the increased Pb tolerance in ZmTAS3j-overexpressed lines was likely attributed to the zma-miR390-ZmTAS3j-tasiARF-ZmARF3-SAURs pathway, which elevated indole acetic acid levels and thus reactive oxygen species-scavenging capacity in maize roots. Our study reveals the importance of the TAS3-derived tasiRNA pathway in plant adaptation to Pb stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- School of Biological Engineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engineering, Yibin 644000, China
| | - Li Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ping Long
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Fengxia Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Minyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Chaoying Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yongcai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Langlang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yaou Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
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Maryam H, Abbasi GH, Waseem M, Ahmed T, Rizwan M. Preparation and characterization of green silicon nanoparticles and their effects on growth and lead (Pb) accumulation in maize (Zea mays L.). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123691. [PMID: 38431245 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The excessive accumulation of heavy metals, particularly lead (Pb) in agricultural soils, is a growing problem worldwide and needs urgent attention. This study aimed to prepare green silicon (Si) NPs using extract of Chenopodium quinoa leaves and evaluated their effects on Pb uptake and growth of maize (Zea mays L.). The results indicated that Pb exposure negatively affected the growth and chlorophyll contents of maize varieties, while SiNPs positively affected these attributes. Pb alone increased the electrolyte-leakage (EL), hydrogen-peroxide (H2O2) and selected antioxidant enzyme activities in leaves, whereas SiNPs decreased EL and H2O2 concentrations and further enhanced the enzyme activities as compared to their respective treatments without SiNPs. Pb-only treatments led to an increase in Pb concentrations and total Pb uptake in both shoots and roots. In contrast, SiNPs resulted in reduced Pb concentrations, with a concurrent decrease in total Pb uptake in shoots compared to the control treatment. The findings demonstrated that foliar application of SiNPs can mitigate the toxic effects of Pb in maize plants by triggering the antioxidant enzyme system and reducing the oxidative stress. Taken together, SiNPs have the potential to enhance maize production in Pb-contaminated soils. However, future research and application efforts should prioritize key aspects such as optimizing NPs synthesis, understanding positive mechanisms of green-synthesized NPs, and conducting multiple crop tests and real-world field trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haseeba Maryam
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Hassan Abbasi
- Institute of Agro-Industry & Environment, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Waseem
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Temoor Ahmed
- Institute of Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China; Xianghu Laboratory, Hangzhou, 311231, China; MEU Research Unit, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan
| | - Muhammad Rizwan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
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Naziębło A, Merlak HM, Wierzbicka MH. The bundle sheath in Zea mays leaves functions as a protective barrier against the toxic effect of lead. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 290:154104. [PMID: 37839393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2023.154104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a highly toxic metal. It impairs the metabolism of living organisms. Plants show different sensitivity to the action of this element. One of the plants with relatively high lead tolerance is Zea mays, where even in detached leaves treated with Pb2+ ions, the photosynthesis rate remains very high compared to other plant species. This study set out to determine the mechanism responsible for the high resistance of maize photosynthetic tissue to the toxic effect of this metal. For this purpose, the cut leaves of Z. mays were incubated in Pb(NO3)2 solutions at different concentrations. Regions of lead accumulation in tissues and cells were located using histochemical methods and transmission electron microscopy. The experiments showed a diverse distribution of lead ions in the leaf blade of Z. mays. Most of the accumulated Pb2+ ions were observed in the vascular bundle and the bundle sheath, while minimal traces of metal were transferred to the mesophyll. In Pisum sativum leaves, although Pb(NO3)2 concentration in the solution was two-fold lower, lead accumulated in all the leaf tissues - mainly in the vascular bundle, epidermis, sclerenchyma, and mesophyll. Thus, bundle sheath cells in maize leaves were able to inhibit the flow of Pb2+ ions to the ground tissue. Therefore, the influence of the toxic metal on photosynthesis in mesophyll cells remained minimal. These experiments show that the structure of Z. mays leaf, with a layer of bundle sheath cells (characteristic of C4 plants), contributes to the protecting photosynthetic tissue against the toxic effect of lead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Naziębło
- Department of Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warszawa, Poland.
| | - Hanna M Merlak
- Department of Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Małgorzata H Wierzbicka
- Department of Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, I. Miecznikowa 1, 02-096 Warszawa, Poland
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Li Z, Jiang L, Wang C, Liu P, Ma L, Zou C, Pan G, Shen Y. Combined genome-wide association study and gene co-expression network analysis identified ZmAKINβγ1 involved in lead tolerance and accumulation in maize seedlings. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 226:1374-1386. [PMID: 36455818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) contamination has become an important abiotic stress that negatively influences crop biomass and yield, threatening human health via food chains. The excavation of causal genes for Pb tolerance in maize will contribute to the breeding of Pb-tolerant maize germplasms. This study aimed to demonstrate the effects of AKINbetagamma-1 protein kinase (ZmAKINβγ1) on maize tolerance to Pb and reveal its molecular mechanisms underlying Pb tolerance. ZmAKINβγ1 was identified using genome-wide association study and weighted gene co-expression network analysis for shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW) under Pb treatment. The OE and RNAi experiments showed that ZmAKINβγ1 negatively regulated maize tolerance to Pb by reducing SDW and RDW and increasing Pb accumulation in maize. Comparative transcriptome analysis between the OE/RNAi and wild-type lines revealed that ZmAKINβγ1 participated in the pectin metabolism process and nitrogen compound response. Gene-based association analyses revealed that three variants located in ZmAKINβγ1 promoter induced changes in its expression and Pb tolerance among maize lines. The dual-luciferase reporter system verified that the two genotypes (AAT and CGG) of ZmAKINβγ1 promoter had contrasting transcriptional activities. Collectively, ZmAKINβγ1-mediated Pb tolerance provided new insights into the cultivation of Pb-tolerant maize varieties and phytoremediation of Pb-polluted soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China; College of Bioengineering, Sichuan University of Science & Engneering, Yibin 644000, China
| | - Li Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Chen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Peng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Langlang Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Chaoying Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Guangtang Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Yaou Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Exploration and Utilization in Southwest China, Maize Research Institute, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
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Hou F, Liu K, Zhang N, Zou C, Yuan G, Gao S, Zhang M, Pan G, Ma L, Shen Y. Association mapping uncovers maize ZmbZIP107 regulating root system architecture and lead absorption under lead stress. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1015151. [PMID: 36226300 PMCID: PMC9549328 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1015151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a highly toxic contaminant to living organisms and the environment. Excessive Pb in soils affects crop yield and quality, thus threatening human health via the food chain. Herein, we investigated Pb tolerance among a maize association panel using root bushiness (BSH) under Pb treatment as an indicator. Through a genome-wide association study of relative BSH, we identified four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 30 candidate genes associated with Pb tolerance in maize seedlings. Transcriptome analysis showed that four of the 30 genes were differentially responsive to Pb treatment between two maize lines with contrasting Pb tolerance. Among these, the ZmbZIP107 transcription factor was confirmed as the key gene controlling maize tolerance to Pb by using gene-based association studies. Two 5' UTR_variants in ZmbZIP107 affected its expression level and Pb tolerance among different maize lines. ZmbZIP107 protein was specifically targeted to the nucleus and ZmbZIP107 mRNA showed the highest expression in maize seedling roots among different tissues. Heterologous expression of ZmbZIP107 enhanced rice tolerance to Pb stress and decreased Pb absorption in the roots. Our study provided the basis for revelation of the molecular mechanism underlying Pb tolerance and contributed to cultivation of Pb-tolerant varieties in maize.
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Lukatkin AS, Bashmakov DI, Al Harbawee WEQ, Teixeira da Silva JA. Assessment of physiological and biochemical responses of Amaranthus retroflexus seedlings to the accumulation of heavy metals with regards to phytoremediation potential. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2020; 23:219-230. [PMID: 32841043 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2020.1807904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this research was to assess, under laboratory conditions, how the accumulation of four heavy metals (HMs) (lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn)), prepared as aqueous solutions from 1 μM to 1 mM, affected biochemical and physiological parameters of Amaranthus retroflexus seedlings. Seedlings showed considerably high resistance to all investigated HMs and no significant oxidative stress in leaves. After chronic exposure to high doses of any of the HMs, seedlings remained viable, but with slightly slower axial growth. We propose the use of biochemical indices (lipid peroxidation (LPO) intensity; level of total peroxides) as criteria to assess the adaptive potential of amaranth plants to HMs. These indices had very high correlation coefficients (r) with the accumulation of HMs in A. retroflexus roots, stems and leaves: 0.86-0.89 for malone dialdehyde (MDA) content for Ni and Zn, and 0.79-0.94 for total peroxides (for Cu, Pb, and maximum in Ni). At 1 mM of any HM, seedlings accumulated Pb and Ni at levels of HM-hyperaccumulating species. If soil is contaminated (in terms of maximum permissible concentration, MPC) by Pb (8.2 ± 2.2 MPC) or Ni (3.5 ± 1.0 MPC) (equivalent to 1 mM of the HM in solution), A. retroflexus is a strong candidate for the phytoremediation of Pb- and Ni-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S Lukatkin
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Ecology of Plants, National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russia
| | - Dmitry I Bashmakov
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Ecology of Plants, National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russia
| | - Waad E Q Al Harbawee
- Department of Botany, Physiology and Ecology of Plants, National Research Mordovia State University, Saransk, Russia
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Esteves GDF, de Souza KRD, Bressanin LA, Andrade PCC, Veroneze Júnior V, Dos Reis PE, da Silva AB, Mantovani JR, Magalhães PC, Pasqual M, de Souza TC. Vermicompost improves maize, millet and sorghum growth in iron mine tailings. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 264:110468. [PMID: 32250898 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Fundão dam was designed to store iron mine tailings in the region of Mariana, MG, Brazil. When it ruptured, the tailings overflowed. These tailings affected the soil due to the formation of a thick crust as a result of drying (compaction) and hindered the natural revegetation process. In this context, the use of organic fertilizers, including vermicompost, is method of reducing the physical limitations on root growth caused by soil properties and changing soil-metal interactions. For this reason, vermicompost was added to iron mine tailings, and its morphological and physiological effects on maize, millet and sorghum plants were studied. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using 6 dm3 pots. The plants were subjected to three treatments: mine tailings, mine tailings + vermicompost, and a reference soil. From the V3 stage onwards, biweekly growth, leaf gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence evaluations were performed. At the end of the experiment, dry biomass and metal, macro- and micronutrient contents were quantified, and the root morphology was evaluated. The tailings created physical limitations on root growth and had low nutrient content as well as high concentrations of chromium, iron and manganese. The addition of vermicompost favored increases in shoot and root dry biomass, increases in root length, volume, surface area and diameter, and the absorption of macro- and micronutrients, which was reflected in the growth of the studied species. In addition, vermicompost led to greater investment in thick and very thick roots, and in general, the plants showed no symptoms of metal toxicity. Considering the characteristics of the studied tailings, it can be concluded that vermicompost favors the growth of plant species and may be a viable method for beginning the recovery process in areas containing iron mine tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisele de Fátima Esteves
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Instituto de Ciências da Natureza - ICN, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | | | | | - Paula Cristina Castro Andrade
- Universidade José Do Rosário Vellano - UNIFENAS, Setor de Ciências Agrícolas, Rod MG 39 Km 0, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Valdir Veroneze Júnior
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Instituto de Ciências da Natureza - ICN, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ernesto Dos Reis
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Instituto de Ciências da Natureza - ICN, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Adriano Bortolotti da Silva
- Universidade José Do Rosário Vellano - UNIFENAS, Setor de Ciências Agrícolas, Rod MG 39 Km 0, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - José Ricardo Mantovani
- Universidade José Do Rosário Vellano - UNIFENAS, Setor de Ciências Agrícolas, Rod MG 39 Km 0, 37130-000, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Paulo César Magalhães
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Milho e Sorgo, P. O. Box 151, 35701-970, Sete Lagoas, MG, Brazil
| | - Moacir Pasqual
- Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Anatomia de Plantas, CEP: 37200-000, Lavras, MG, Brazil
| | - Thiago Corrêa de Souza
- Universidade Federal de Alfenas - UNIFAL-MG, Instituto de Ciências da Natureza - ICN, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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Ullah S, Mahmood T, Iqbal Z, Naeem A, Ali R, Mahmood S. Phytoremediative potential of salt-tolerant grass species for cadmium and lead under contaminated nutrient solution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOREMEDIATION 2019; 21:1012-1018. [PMID: 31016987 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2019.1594683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soils represents a promising technique and salt-tolerant hyperaccumulators for multiple metals are the need of time. Therefore, phytoremediation potential of four salt-tolerant grass species [Dhab (Desmostachya bipinnata), Kallar (Leptochloa fusca), Para (Brachiaria mutica) and Sporobolus (Sporobolus arabicus Boiss)] was evaluated for cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in a hydroponic study. The plants were harvested after a growth period of 3 months in a nutrient solution containing different levels of Cd (0, 5, and 25 mg L-1) and Pb (0, 25, and 125 mg L-1). Results indicated that Dhab grass showed the highest root and shoot dry matter yield followed by Para, Kallar and Sporobolus grass irrespective of metal or its level under which they were grown. All the grass species showed considerable Cd-accumulating potential with an accumulation of >150 mg kg-1of shoot dry matter at a higher level of Cd-contamination (25 mg L-1). While in case of shoot Pb-accumulation only Para grass performed well and accumulated Pb >1000 mg kg-1 of shoot dry matter at the higher level of Pb-contamination (125 mg L-1). Moreover, Para and Dhab grasses performed better for shoot Cd-uptake, while only Para grass showed promising shoot Pb uptake potential. In conclusion, these grass species could be penitentially used for phytoremediation of salt-affected Cd and Pb contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Ullah
- a Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) , Faisalabad , Pakistan
| | - Tariq Mahmood
- a Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) , Faisalabad , Pakistan
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- a Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) , Faisalabad , Pakistan
| | - Asif Naeem
- a Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) , Faisalabad , Pakistan
| | - Rehmat Ali
- a Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) , Faisalabad , Pakistan
| | - Sajid Mahmood
- a Soil and Environmental Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) , Faisalabad , Pakistan
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