Dr Mehboob-ur-Rahman (SS, Group Leader)
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Plant Genomics & Molecular Breeding (PGMB) group explored intrinsic DNA polymorphism in different crop plants especially in cotton using conventional and non-conventional DNA fingerprinting approaches and established their association with different traits of interest to initiate marker-assisted selection (MAS). Genetic diversity (cotton, wheat, lentil, chick pea and mango) was assessed which is instrumental in bringing sustainability in yield. Genetics of resistance to different stresses especially resistance to cotton leaf curl disease (CLCD) has been worked out. We, first time in Pakistan, developed cotton cultivars through MAS. Cotton germplasm (NIBGE-115, NIBGE-2, NIBGE-3 & NIBGE-253) resistant/tolerant to the disease is being extensively utilized in different national cotton breeding programs. Our group is also involved in breeding for insect resistant cotton lines. We also provide services for DNA fingerprinting and GMO testing. The group is also a part of international cotton community in a mega project “cotton genome sequencing” which will help in isolating different genes of interest.

We have estimated genetic relatedness/divergence among 30 Gossypium arboreum L. genotypes; 95 G. hirsutum cultivars/genotypes using RAPD, SSR and EST-SSRs markers. The average genetic relatedness among G. arboreum genotypes was 83.25% depicting a higher genetic diversity as compared to G. hirsutum genotypes (89%). Genetic similarity among 36 diploid and tetraploid cotton species (eight genomes) was in the range of 44 to 90%, with an average of 71%.

For fiber quality traits in cotton, we identified genomic regions associated with high fiber quality. We have successfully introgressed 12-20% of G. barbadense genome into cultivated cotton species (G. hirsutum). We have also identified differentially expressed regions associated with high fiber quality, and targeted for full length gene isolation in collaboration Univ of Georgia. In another experiment, we have utilized intraspecific G. hirsutum population, which provides more practical application in marker-assisted breeding. Two contrasting genotypes were surveyed with 520 RAPDs and 435 SSRs. Linkage map was constructed with Mapmaker using molecular markers data of 117 lines of F2:3 (FH-631S × FH-883). Twenty loci were grouped into four linkage groups (LGs) and genetic map spanned 230.2 cM with 11.5 cM interlocus distance. Sixteen putative QTLs related to eight cotton fiber quality traits were identified.

Eight hundred and twenty three SSRs and 520 RAPDs were surveyed on FH-901 (drought sensitive) and RH-510 (drought tolerant) cotton genotypes, which yielded 65 polymorphic loci (33 SSRs, 30 RAPDs and two CAPSs). Linkage analysis resulted in mapping of 45 loci (24 SSRs, 20 RAPDs, one CAPS) on 10 LGs. The genetic map was 697.9 cM (15% of cotton genome) with average inter-locus distance of 15.5 cM. Twenty six QTLs were identified for nine physio-economic traits.

Wheat has also been explored with 21 EST-SSRs to estimated genetic relatedness among 58 wheat genotypes. The wheat genotypes were grouped into two major and two small clusters. The two wheat genotypes (MH-97 and Kohistan-97) were surveyed with 520 RAPDs and 120 SSRs/ EST-SSRs for the identification of DNA markers associated with drought tolerance.

Left to right: Ms Huma Mumtaz (Researcher), Ms. Nabila Tabassam (Researcher), Ms. Tayyaba Shaheen (PhD Scholar), Dr Mehboob-ur-Rahman (SS), Mr Muhammad Asif (SS), Mr Muhammad Zaman (PhD Scholar), Mr Kashif Shehzad Sarwar (Reseacher), Mr Muhammad Farooq Hayder (Lab Assit).