Microbial Technology for Agro-Ecosystems

Experience (25 Years) teaching and research, published 77 research papers, 52 invited book chapters, 22 review articles and edited 18 Springer and 1 CRC Press book. Serving as an editor and reviewer of several reputed international journals. Served as Microbiologist for eight years in Department of Soil and Water Research, Public Authority of Agricultural Affairs & Fish Resources, Kuwait, credited with first time reporting and identification of Pink Rot inflorescence disease of Date palm in Kuwait caused by Serratia marcescens. Organized number of conferences/workshops as convener/ organizing secretary. Completed four Govt. research projects on soil reclamation and crop improvement. Presently handling one research project on biofortification of finger millets as PI and two other projects as Co-PI, guided six Ph.D. students and currently guiding five Ph.D. students. Life member of professional societies: Association of Microbiologists of India, Biotechnology Society, India, Society for Environmental Sustainability, India, Microbiologists Society, India Ph.D. (2003), Plant Pathology/Molecular Genetics (University of Kaiserslautern, Germany & Quaid-i- Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan (under DAAD Sandwich Programme) Availed Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/Foundation, (Post Doctorate fellowship), (University of Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany) Worked as Scientist/Consultant- International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Area (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria (2005-2006) Experience 17 years-teaching/research, published 20 research papers, 4 book chapters, edited three books (Elsevier, Lambert Academic Publishing, VDM Verlag Dr. Müller) Completed six National Research Projects, and three international projects. Guided three and presently guiding four Ph.D. students. Life member of professional societies: Pakistan Botanical Society, Karachi, Pakistan Pakistan Nematological Society, DAAD, Germany, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany, Pakistan Phytopathology Society, Pakistan, Soil Society, Faisalabad, Pakistan

• 1. A guide for the analysis of plant microbial communities through high-throughput sequencing methods2. Design and application of microbial biofertilizers3. Bioprospecting of microbial bioactive molecules for the management of biotic and abiotic stress4. Upscaling plant defense system through the application of plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF)5. Trichoderma as ecofriendly tools for sustainable agriculture management: Improving plant health, crop productivity and soil fertility6. Microbes in plant health, disease, and abiotic stress management7. Review on plant-microbe interactions, applications and future aspects8. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR): A green approach to manage soil-borne fungal pathogens and plant growth promotion9. Cell wall degradation: Microbial enzymes in service of sustainable agriculture10. Microbial remediation applications in mitigating soil pollution11. Sustainable eco-remediation achieved via plant-microbe interactions12. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms: Ecology and use in sustainable agricultural systems13. Linking plant growth promoting arbuscular mycorrhiza with sulfonate desulfurizing bacteria14. The role of microbes in biofortification for a sustainable nutrient management and agricultural crop productivity: Current trends and imminent challenges15. Metagenomics: A approach for understanding microbe-microbe and plant-microbiome interactions16. Dynamics of plant growth promoting fungi in biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of leguminous crops