National Seed Research & Training Center

Dr. Asim Abbasi (Research Associate- Entomology, Domain 5) delivered an insightful session discussing the role of silicon accumulation in cotton and its cascading effects on whitefly biology and beneficial predators through tritrophic interactions. The talk highlighted sustainable pest management strategies by integrating plant nutrition with biological control. His topic: “Silicon accumulation in cotton and its tritrophic effects on whitefly and Chrysoperla carnea” highlighted that, Silicon accumulation in cotton enhances plant defense by strengthening cell walls and activating biochemical resistance mechanisms. Silicon-treated plants reduce the performance of whitefly by impairing feeding efficiency, survival, and reproduction. At the same time, silicon-mediated changes in plant chemistry and herbivore quality can positively influence the third trophic level by improving the predatory efficiency and fitness of Chrysoperla carnea feeding on whitefly. Overall, silicon induces a beneficial tritrophic effect, suppressing pest populations while supporting natural enemies, and thus contributes to sustainable pest management in cotton. Silicon nutrition is increasingly recognized for enhancing plant defense mechanisms. By strengthening plant tissues and influencing herbivore–natural enemy interactions, silicon can reduce pest fecundity while supporting biological control agents.

Every successful crop begins with a seed – and not just any seed, but one that is genetically true to its variety. Genetic purity refers to true-to-type plants confirming to the characteristics of the variety described by the breeder. Maintaining high genetic purity is vital because even a small amount of contamination can change key traits such as yield, maturity, and color or disease resistance. For farmers and seed producers ensuring seed purity is vital for protecting yield potential, maintaining market reputation and preserving consumer trust.
Here at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, under Quality Seed Project, we ensure highest standards of genetic purity in seed production by multiple rounds of roughing throughout crop cycle, physical seed cleaning and processing by our skilled staff. This ultimate goal is to ensure supply of the quality seed to the farming community in Pakistan.
PI: Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan
Team: Dr. Usman Aslam, Dr. Madiha Habib, Dr. Kiran Hameed
and All Scientifc Staff of the Poject
Domain I (Plant Breeding and Genetics)

A Thermo Fogger is a sprayer used to create a fine mist of Insecticides Formulations making it difficult for insects to avoid Insecticidal Exposure. In seed storage structures insects usually hide in cracks and crevices to avoid control measures. For those insects we have Thermo Fogger which make it convenient for insecticides to reach every corner and target hidden stages of stored grain Insect Pests.
At National Seed Research & Training Center, we believe in innovations

Pre-storage Seed Insect Management Activities
PI: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad
Research Associate: Dr. Asim Abbasi
Domain-V (Seed Insect Management)

Dr. Usman Aslam (Scientific Officer- Plant Breeding and Genetics-Domain1) explored the molecular regulation of programmed cell death in sorghum, shedding light on transcriptional switches that influence stem development and structural integrity. The topic of his talk was “Transcriptional switch for programmed cell death in sorghum stem pith parenchyma.” He explained that Programmed cell death in sorghum stem pith parenchyma is regulated by a transcriptional switch that activates gene networks responsible for controlled cellular dismantling during stem development. This process is crucial for stem maturation, structural integrity, and carbohydrate accumulation, and understanding its regulation offers opportunities to improve biomass and yield-related traits in sorghum and other cereals.

FAISALABAD Nov 25: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) has organized a one-day training titled “Molecular Approaches in Plant Breeding for Crop Improvement” under the Quality Seed Project on Tuesday.
The event was organised by National Seed Research and Training Center under the project titled Quality Seed Production and Supply to the Farming Community for Ensuring Food Security in Pakistan.
It was meant to to equip participants with modern tools and technologies to accelerate crop breeding and strengthen national food security.
Chairman Plant Breeding and Genetics Prof Dr Azeem Iqbal Khan said that modern breeding tools are indispensable for developing climate-resilient and high-yielding varieties to meet future agricultural challenges. He emphasized strengthening research linkages and capacity building. Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan briefed the audience on scope, objectives, current status and future plans of the National Seed Research and Training Center.
Chief Scientist Dr Muhammad Arif highlighted how marker-assisted selection accelerates breeding by identifying desirable traits early, enabling quicker development of improved varieties with enhanced precision.
Dr Zahid Mehmood said that innovative technologies help fast-track varietal development by integrating genomics and precision tools like speed breeding and high-throughput phenotyping.
Discussing genome editing, Associate Professor Dr Iqrar Rana noted that CRISPR/Cas systems offer precise, efficient solutions for developing improved crops without compromising safety.
Dr Muhammad Salman Mubarik guided participants on how to do your plant genome editing experiment using CRISPR technique, while Dr Madiha Habib and Dr Kiran Hameed conducted practical training on marker-assisted selection workflow.

🔬 Precision in Every Seed – Ensuring Quality from the Ground Up!
At the Seed Purity Analysis and Moisture Testing Lab, UAF, we’re committed to maintaining the highest seed standards through detailed purity analysis. Every seed matters when it comes to agricultural excellence!

📸 Glimpses of our seed analyst in action – separating pure seed, inert matter, and other contaminants with utmost focus and care.

🌱 Vice Chancellor UAF Visits Newly Constructed Seed Building at UAF 🌱

The Honorable Vice Chancellor visited the newly established seed facility, where he visited laboratories including the Genetic Purity Lab, Seed Germination Lab, Physical Purity Lab, Seed Sampling Lab, Seed Health Management Lab, and the Seed Insect Management Lab. The Scientific Director provided a detailed briefing on the purpose and functions of each lab.

Following the visit, a Mid-Year Project Review Meeting was held, chaired by the worthy Vice Chancellor and attended by the Scientific Director, Director P&D, Director ORIC, Director M&E, P*s and the project staff. Project progress was reviewed, and future strategies were discussed.

We are excited to announce that we are now a proud Laboratory Member of ISTA.

Welcome to the National Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) – a pioneering initiative under the PSDP Project "Quality Seed Production and Supplying to the Farming Community for Ensuring Food Security in Pakistan."

At NSRTC, we are committed to revolutionizing the seed industry in Pakistan through cutting-edge research, innovation, and capacity-building.

Key highlights of our work include:
🌱 State-of-the-Art Seed Testing Labs: Developing advanced facilities for reliable seed quality assessment.
🌱 ISTA Membership & Accreditation: Proud members of the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), working towards the country’s first ISTA-accredited DNA fingerprinting lab.
🌱 High-Quality Seed Production: Producing early-generation and basic seeds to address the supply gap and support private sector seed multiplication.
🌱 Capacity Building: Empowering farmers, private sector seed companies, and students through regular training programs and workshops to enhance skills and knowledge in the seed sector.

Join us in our mission to strengthen Pakistan’s agriculture and ensure food security for future generations. Stay connected for updates on our initiatives, services, events, and training opportunities.