Dr Mobashwer Alam is a Plant Geneticist and Breeder with twenty years' research and teaching experience in public and private industries, and in the universities in Australia and Bangladesh. He has been working at the Centre for Horticultural Science, QAAFI, UQ and is based at Maroochy Research Station, Nambour, QLD 4560. Over the last twenty years, Dr Alam received experiences in multi-disciplinary research, including Plant Breeding, Quantitative Genetics, Genomics, Plant physiology, and Crop modelling. Before joining at QAAFI, UQ, Dr Alam had been working as a Senior Plant Breeder (Grain SOrghum) at Nuseed Pty Ltd. He achieved his PhD in Plant Molecular Genetics in 2013 through the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences of the University of Queensland. During his study at UQ, he worked with Crop Physiology and Modelling group at St. Lucia, and Sorghum Breeding group of Hermitage Research Station, Warwick. Before coming in Australia as a PhD student, Dr Alam had been working as a Lecturer and Assistant Professor of the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Patuakhali Science and Technology University in Bangladesh. Throughout his academic and research career, he worked on multiple crops including Macadamia, Stone Fruits, Sorghum, Sugarcane, Lablab bean, Tomato, Okra, and Ash gourd. He is interested in developing rapid breeding tools and utilizing plant Genomics in tree crops improvement.
Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Mobashwer Alam, Saman Seneweera, Sujay Rakshit and Robert Henry eds. (2021). Molecular breeding in wheat, maize and sorghum: strategies for improving abiotic stress tolerance and yield. Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789245431.0000
Journal Article: Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia
Alam, Mobashwer, Neal, Jodi, O'Connor, Katie, Kilian, Andrzej and Topp, Bruce (2018). Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia. PLoS One, 13 (8) e0203465, e0203465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203465
Journal Article: Estimating genetic parameters of architectural and reproductive traits in young macadamia cultivars
Toft, Benjamin D., Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2018). Estimating genetic parameters of architectural and reproductive traits in young macadamia cultivars. Tree Genetics and Genomes, 14 (4) 50. doi: 10.1007/s11295-018-1265-x
Conference Publication: ‘MPM1’: a macadamia hybrid showing breakdown of biological rhythm in morphogenesis
Alam, M.M., Neal, J., Howell, E., Russell, D. and Topp, B.L. (2018). ‘MPM1’: a macadamia hybrid showing breakdown of biological rhythm in morphogenesis. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.78
Conference Publication: Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars
Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, O'Connor, Katie and Topp, Bruce (2017). Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Conference Publication: Indirect prediction of macadamia yield through a genome wide association study of component traits
O'Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Mobashwer Alam and Topp, Bruce (2017). Indirect prediction of macadamia yield through a genome wide association study of component traits. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Journal Article: Predicting tillering of diverse sorghum germplasm across environments
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer, van Oosterom, Erik J., Cruickshank, Alan W., Jordan, David R. and Hammer, Graeme L. (2017). Predicting tillering of diverse sorghum germplasm across environments. Crop Science, 57 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.04.0262
Journal Article: QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering
Alam, M. M., Mace, E. S., van Oosterom, E. J., Cruickshank, A., Hunt, C. H., Hammer G.L. and Jordan, D. R. (2014). QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 127 (10), 2253-2266. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2377-9
Journal Article: A physiological framework to explain genetic and environmental regulation of tillering in sorghum
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer, Hammer, Graeme L., Van Oosterom, Erik J., Cruickshank, Alan W., Hunt, Colleen H. and Jordan, David R. (2014). A physiological framework to explain genetic and environmental regulation of tillering in sorghum. New Phytologist, 203 (1), 155-167. doi: 10.1111/nph.12767
Other Outputs: Genetic mapping and modelling of tillering in sorghum
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer (2013). Genetic mapping and modelling of tillering in sorghum. PhD Thesis, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland.
MC17006 Macadamia Regional Variety Trials Series 4
(2020–2026) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
National Macadamia Breeding and Evaluation Program
(2019–2024) Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
Investigating Rootstock mediated vigour control in macadamia
Master Philosophy
Genomic-assisted exploitation of wild germplasm for improvement of macadamia
(2021) Doctor Philosophy
Endogenous fatty acid desaturation of palmitic to palmitoleic acid in macadamia kernel tissue.
Doctor Philosophy
Inheritance of stomatal size and density in macadamia
To cope with global climate change, one of the key focuses of the plant breeding program is to develop climate-smart varieties with efficient water use and photosynthesis. Finding out heritable and simple traits associated with less water loss and high photosynthesis can help breeders to select drought and high temperature tolerant elite cultivars. Stomatal pores on the leaf epidermis are the windows of water loss through transpiration and CO2 uptake for photosynthesis. By altering the stomatal size and density, it can be possible to optimize the amount of CO2 uptake and water loss. The focus of this project is to identify the variability in stomatal apparatus across a large number of breeding progeny, cultivars and wild germplasm of macadamia. The genetic and environmental effects on the variability of stomatal size and density will also be estimated. The inheritance pattern of the traits can be useful for future breeding decisions and planning.
This project is open for undergraduate, honours, and masters by coursework students with a background in Genetics, Plant Science, Horticulture, Plant breeding, Plant Ecology, Botany, Plant Physiology.
The scholar will develop skills in plant phenotyping, genetics, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research and presenting in conferences.
The project will be based at Queensland Government’s Maroochy Research Facility (MRF) at Nambour, which will create an opportunity to develop networks and relationships with researchers in horticulture, fruit and nut breeding, physiology, pathology, biotechnology and statistics. At MRF, the scholar will have access to modern laboratory, glasshouse and field facilities for conducting the research.
Rapid phenotyping: Developing image processing tools in macadamia
In macadamia, plant growth characteristics are measured annually to calculate the yield efficiency of the breeding progeny. Nut traits are key components of yield per tree. However, the existing phenotypic evaluation for these traits is time consuming, laborious and expensive. Developing algorithm to utilize artificial intelligence for measuring different growth traits can assist in rapid phenotyping and improve breeding efficiency. This project will develop a proof of concept for field-based image processing tool for rapid characterisation of plant size and kernel recovery. An established rootstock trial (a common scion on to 24 different rootstocks) planted in 2017 will be used for plant size measurement, and a breeding progeny trial planted in multiple trials will be used for the estimation of kernel recovery. An artificial intelligence algorithm for image analysis will be developed and tested against actual field data.
This project is open to applications from students with a background in Computational Science, Plant Breeding.
The scholar will develop skills in plant phenomics, image analysis, computational biology, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research, and presenting in conferences.
Identification of genomic regions associated with target traits: Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) in macadamia
Identification of molecular markers is important for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), where an elite progeny is selected based on a marker associated with the trait of interest, rather than on the trait itself. Genome Wide Association study (GWAS) provides opportunities for the identification of genomic region(s) associated with the target traits by combining genome information with phenotypic data. Over the last five years, ~1000 breeding progeny, elite selections, cultivars and wild germplasm were genotyped using high throughput marker systems. Using phenotypic and genotypic data, this project aimed to identify markers associated with the trait of interest. Multiple projects are available. Target trait can be discussed before submitting the application.
This project is open to applications from students with a background in Genetics, Computational Science, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, and Quantitative Genetics.
The scholar will develop skills in Plant phenotyping, statistical genetics, genomics, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research, and to present in conferences.
Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Mobashwer Alam, Saman Seneweera, Sujay Rakshit and Robert Henry eds. (2021). Molecular breeding in wheat, maize and sorghum: strategies for improving abiotic stress tolerance and yield. Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789245431.0000
Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia
Alam, Mobashwer, Neal, Jodi, O'Connor, Katie, Kilian, Andrzej and Topp, Bruce (2018). Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia. PLoS One, 13 (8) e0203465, e0203465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203465
Estimating genetic parameters of architectural and reproductive traits in young macadamia cultivars
Toft, Benjamin D., Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2018). Estimating genetic parameters of architectural and reproductive traits in young macadamia cultivars. Tree Genetics and Genomes, 14 (4) 50. doi: 10.1007/s11295-018-1265-x
‘MPM1’: a macadamia hybrid showing breakdown of biological rhythm in morphogenesis
Alam, M.M., Neal, J., Howell, E., Russell, D. and Topp, B.L. (2018). ‘MPM1’: a macadamia hybrid showing breakdown of biological rhythm in morphogenesis. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.78
Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars
Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, O'Connor, Katie and Topp, Bruce (2017). Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Indirect prediction of macadamia yield through a genome wide association study of component traits
O'Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Mobashwer Alam and Topp, Bruce (2017). Indirect prediction of macadamia yield through a genome wide association study of component traits. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Predicting tillering of diverse sorghum germplasm across environments
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer, van Oosterom, Erik J., Cruickshank, Alan W., Jordan, David R. and Hammer, Graeme L. (2017). Predicting tillering of diverse sorghum germplasm across environments. Crop Science, 57 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.04.0262
Alam, M. M., Mace, E. S., van Oosterom, E. J., Cruickshank, A., Hunt, C. H., Hammer G.L. and Jordan, D. R. (2014). QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 127 (10), 2253-2266. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2377-9
A physiological framework to explain genetic and environmental regulation of tillering in sorghum
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer, Hammer, Graeme L., Van Oosterom, Erik J., Cruickshank, Alan W., Hunt, Colleen H. and Jordan, David R. (2014). A physiological framework to explain genetic and environmental regulation of tillering in sorghum. New Phytologist, 203 (1), 155-167. doi: 10.1111/nph.12767
Genetic mapping and modelling of tillering in sorghum
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer (2013). Genetic mapping and modelling of tillering in sorghum. PhD Thesis, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland.
Mohammad Anwar Hossain, Mobashwer Alam, Saman Seneweera, Sujay Rakshit and Robert Henry eds. (2021). Molecular breeding in wheat, maize and sorghum: strategies for improving abiotic stress tolerance and yield. Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789245431.0000
Molecular breeding for combating salinity stress in sorghum: progress and prospects
Chakma, Nidhi, Chakraborty, Moutoshi, Bhyan, Salma and Alam, Mobashwer (2021). Molecular breeding for combating salinity stress in sorghum: progress and prospects. Molecular breeding in wheat, maize and sorghum: strategies for improving abiotic stress tolerance and yield. (pp. 421-432) Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789245431.0024
Macadamia (Macadamia spp.) breeding
Topp, Bruce L., Nock, Catherine J., Hardner, Craig M., Alam, Mobashwer and O’Connor, Katie M. (2019). Macadamia (Macadamia spp.) breeding. Advances in Plant Breeding Strategies: Nut and Beverage Crops. (pp. 221-251) edited by Jameel M. Al-Khayri, Shri Mohan Jain and Dennis V. Johnson. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-23112-5_7
Bhyan, Salma Begum, Cummins, Scott, Alam, Mobashwer and Zhao, Min (2022). Bioinformatic investigation and functional analysis of 214 hereditary genes identified non-coding RNAs as therapeautic tool for breast cancer management. Gene Reports, 27 101565, 101565. doi: 10.1016/j.genrep.2022.101565
Fatty acid diversity and interrelationships in macadamia nuts
Hu, Wei, Fitzgerald, Melissa, Topp, Bruce, Alam, Mobashwer and O'Hare, Tim J. (2022). Fatty acid diversity and interrelationships in macadamia nuts. LWT, 154 112839, 112839. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2021.112839
Discovery of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Resistance to Abnormal Vertical Growth in Macadamia
Zakeel, Mohamed Cassim Mohamed, Alam, Mobashwer, Geering, Andrew D. W., Topp, Bruce and Akinsanmi, Olufemi A. (2021). Discovery of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Resistance to Abnormal Vertical Growth in Macadamia. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12 756815, 756815. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.756815
Sharma, Priyanka, Murigneux, Valentine, Haimovitz, Jasmine, Nock, Catherine J., Tian, Wei, Kharabian Masouleh, Ardashir, Topp, Bruce, Alam, Mobashwer, Furtado, Agnelo and Henry, Robert J. (2021). The genome of the endangered Macadamia jansenii displays little diversity but represents an important genetic resource for plant breeding. Plant Direct, 5 (12) e364, e364. doi: 10.1002/pld3.364
Mai, Thuy T. P., Hardner, Craig M., Alam, Mobashwer M., Henry, Robert J. and Topp, Bruce L. (2021). Phenotypic characterisation for growth and nut characteristics revealed the extent of genetic diversity in wild macadamia germplasm. Agriculture, 11 (7) 680, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/agriculture11070680
Vu, Sang V., Knibb, Wayne, Gondro, Cedric, Subramanian, Sankar, Nguyen, Ngoc T. H., Alam, Mobashwer, Dove, Michael, Gilmour, Arthur R., Vu, In Van, Bhyan, Salma, Tearle, Rick, Khuong, Le Duy, Le, Tuan Son and O’Connor, Wayne (2021). Genomic prediction for whole weight, body shape, meat yield, and color traits in the Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata. Frontiers in Genetics, 12 661276, 661276. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2021.661276
Genomic selection and genetic gain for nut yield in an Australian macadamia breeding population
O’Connor, Katie M., Hayes, Ben J., Hardner, Craig M., Alam, Mobashwer, Henry, Robert J. and Topp, Bruce L. (2021). Genomic selection and genetic gain for nut yield in an Australian macadamia breeding population. BMC Genomics, 22 (1) 370, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12864-021-07694-z
Ahmed, Borhan, Alam, Mobashwer, Hasan, Fakhrul, Emdad, Emdadul Mannan, Islam, Shahidul and Rahman, Nazibur (2020). Jute CDPK genes and their role in stress tolerance and fiber development: a genome-wide bioinformatic investigation of Chorchorus capsularis and C. olitorius. Plant Gene, 24 100252, 100252. doi: 10.1016/j.plgene.2020.100252
Mai, Thuy, Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Henry, Robert and Topp, Bruce (2020). Genetic structure of wild germplasm of macadamia: species assignment, diversity and phylogeographic relationships. Plants, 9 (6) 714, 714-17. doi: 10.3390/plants9060714
Genome-wide association studies for yield component traits in a macadamia breeding population
O’Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, Baten, Abdul, Alam, Mobashwer, Henry, Robert and Topp, Bruce (2020). Genome-wide association studies for yield component traits in a macadamia breeding population. BMC Genomics, 21 (1) 199, 199. doi: 10.1186/s12864-020-6575-3
Hu, Wei, Fitzgerald, Melissa, Topp, Bruce, Alam, Mobasher and O'Hare, Tim J. (2019). A review of biological functions, health benefits, and possible de novo biosynthetic pathway of palmitoleic acid in macadamia nuts. Journal of Functional Foods, 62 103520, 103520. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2019.103520
Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado
Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Hayward, Alice, Alam, Mobashwer, Bandaralage, Jayeni Hiti, Topp, Bruce, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2019). Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado. BMC Plant Biology, 19 (1) 382, 382. doi: 10.1186/s12870-019-1994-5
Anatomical structure associated with vegetative growth variation in macadamia
Toft, Benjamin D., Alam, Mobashwer M. and Topp, Bruce L. (2019). Anatomical structure associated with vegetative growth variation in macadamia. Plant and Soil, 444 (1-2), 343-350. doi: 10.1007/s11104-019-04285-6
Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of macadamia cultivars HAES741 and HAES660
Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, O’Connor, Katie and Topp, Bruce (2019). Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of macadamia cultivars HAES741 and HAES660. HortScience, 54 (4), 616-620. doi: 10.21273/hortsci13318-18
Toft, Benjamin D., Alam, Mobashwer M., Wilkie, John D. and Topp, Bruce L. (2019). Phenotypic association of multi-scale architectural traits with canopy volume and yield: moving toward high-density systems for macadamia. HortScience, 54 (4), 596-602. doi: 10.21273/hortsci13293-18
O’Connor, Katie, Kilian, Andrzej, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, Baten, Abdul, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2019). Population structure, genetic diversity and linkage disequilibrium in a macadamia breeding population using SNP and silicoDArT markers. Tree Genetics & Genomes, 15 (2) 24, 24. doi: 10.1007/s11295-019-1331-z
Selecting for nut characteristics in macadamia using a genome-wide association study
O’Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2019). Selecting for nut characteristics in macadamia using a genome-wide association study. HortScience, 54 (4), 629-632. doi: 10.21273/hortsci13297-18
Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia
Alam, Mobashwer, Neal, Jodi, O'Connor, Katie, Kilian, Andrzej and Topp, Bruce (2018). Ultra-high-throughput DArTseq-based silicoDArT and SNP markers for genomic studies in macadamia. PLoS One, 13 (8) e0203465, e0203465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203465
Estimating genetic parameters of architectural and reproductive traits in young macadamia cultivars
Toft, Benjamin D., Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2018). Estimating genetic parameters of architectural and reproductive traits in young macadamia cultivars. Tree Genetics and Genomes, 14 (4) 50. doi: 10.1007/s11295-018-1265-x
Howell, E., Russell, D., Alam, M. M. and Topp, B. L. (2018). Variability of initial and final nut set in elite macadamia selections using different pollination methods. Acta Horticulturae (1205), 617-622. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.76
Predicting tillering of diverse sorghum germplasm across environments
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer, van Oosterom, Erik J., Cruickshank, Alan W., Jordan, David R. and Hammer, Graeme L. (2017). Predicting tillering of diverse sorghum germplasm across environments. Crop Science, 57 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2016.04.0262
Alam, M. M., Mace, E. S., van Oosterom, E. J., Cruickshank, A., Hunt, C. H., Hammer G.L. and Jordan, D. R. (2014). QTL analysis in multiple sorghum populations facilitates the dissection of the genetic and physiological control of tillering. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 127 (10), 2253-2266. doi: 10.1007/s00122-014-2377-9
A physiological framework to explain genetic and environmental regulation of tillering in sorghum
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer, Hammer, Graeme L., Van Oosterom, Erik J., Cruickshank, Alan W., Hunt, Colleen H. and Jordan, David R. (2014). A physiological framework to explain genetic and environmental regulation of tillering in sorghum. New Phytologist, 203 (1), 155-167. doi: 10.1111/nph.12767
Rahman, H., Alam, M. M. and Akanda, A. M. (2008). Alteration of cellular nutritional elements and nucleic acids of papaya leaves infected with seven symptomatic isolates of PRSV-P. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 3 (3), 219-226. doi: 10.3923/ijar.2008.219.226
Alteration of cellular pigments of papaya leaves infected with seven symptomatic isolates of PRSV-P
Rahman, H., Alam, M. M., Bhyan, S. B. and Akanda, A. M. (2008). Alteration of cellular pigments of papaya leaves infected with seven symptomatic isolates of PRSV-P. Journal of Plant Sciences, 3 (1), 69-76. doi: 10.3923/jps.2008.69.76
Effect of Plant Extracts on Okra mosaic virus incidence and Yield Related Parameters of Okra
Bhyan, S. B., Alam, M. M. and Ali, M. S. (2007). Effect of Plant Extracts on Okra mosaic virus incidence and Yield Related Parameters of Okra. Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 1 (3), 112-118. doi: 10.3923/ajar.2007.112.118
Floral Biology of Different Exotic and Indigenous Ash Gourd Genotypes (Benincasa hispida)
Latif, M. A., Alam, M. M., Alam, M. K. and Rahman, M. M. (2007). Floral Biology of Different Exotic and Indigenous Ash Gourd Genotypes (Benincasa hispida). International Journal of Plant Breeding and Genetics, 1 (2), 67-74. doi: 10.3923/ijpbg.2007.67.74
Incidence and Severity of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus under Phytopesticidal Management
Bhyan, S. B., Chowdhury, M. A. H., Alam, M. M. and Ali, M. S. (2007). Incidence and Severity of Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus under Phytopesticidal Management. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 2 (7), 590-598. doi: 10.3923/ijar.2007.590.598
Influence of Nitrogen and Potassium on Yield Contributing Bulb Traits of Onion
Dilruba, S., Alam, M. M., Hasan, M. F. and Rahman, M. A. (2006). Influence of Nitrogen and Potassium on Yield Contributing Bulb Traits of Onion. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 1 (1), 85-90. doi: 10.3923/ijar.2006.85.90
Biswas, T. K., Rahman, M. A., Khan, M. M. H., Alam, M. M. and Jahan, M. (2006). Toxic Effects of two Insecticides on Brown Plant Hopper, Nilaparvata lugens and its Predators, Micraspis discolor and Lycosa pseudoannulata. International Journal of Zoological Research, 2 (2), 192-203. doi: 10.3923/ijzr.2006.192.203
Combining Ability for Flower and Pod Characters of Lablab Bean under Two Sowing Environments
Alam, M. M. and Newaz, M. A. (2005). Combining Ability for Flower and Pod Characters of Lablab Bean under Two Sowing Environments. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences, 4 (6), 603-607. doi: 10.3923/ajps.2005.603.607
Environmental Effect on Growth and Yield of Tomato
Hasan, M. F., Ahmed, B., Rahman, M. A., Alam, M. M. and Khan, M. H. (2005). Environmental Effect on Growth and Yield of Tomato. Journal of Biological Sciences, 5 (6), 759-767. doi: 10.3923/jbs.2005.759.767
Evaluating seven macadamia seedling and cutting rootstocks for their effect on scion growth
Poudel, Pragya Dhakal , Cowan, Max , Topp, Bruce and Alam, Mobashwer (2022). Evaluating seven macadamia seedling and cutting rootstocks for their effect on scion growth. The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Plant Sciences, Online, 1-15 Dec 2021. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/iecps2021-12040
Crown position and rootstock genotype influence leaf stomatal density in Macadamia sp.
Wakefield, Sam , Topp, Bruce and Alam, Mobashwer (2022). Crown position and rootstock genotype influence leaf stomatal density in Macadamia sp.. The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Plant Sciences, Online, 1-15 December 2021. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/iecps2021-11922
Nguyen, Truong Duc , Topp, Bruce and Alam, Mobashwer (2021). Image based phenotyping of shell thickness revealed strong association with kernel recovery in macadamia. The 2nd International Electronic Conference on Plant Sciences, Online, 1-15 Dec 2021. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI.
Macadamia nuts – good fats, bad fats, and biofortification
O’Hare, T. J., Hong, H. T., Pun, S., Liu, D., Torrisi, C., Mai, T., Alam, M., Russell, D. and Topp, B. (2020). Macadamia nuts – good fats, bad fats, and biofortification. XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: International Symposium on Fruit and Vegetables for Processing, International Symposium on Quality and Safety of Horticultural Products and VII International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables, Istanbul, Turkey, 12 August 2018. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ACTAHORTIC.2020.1292_50
Breeding for resistance to husk spot disease in macadamia
Nunn, Jasmine, Alam, Mobashwer, Akinsanmi, Olufemi, Hardner, Craig and Topp, Bruce (2020). Breeding for resistance to husk spot disease in macadamia. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036103
Phylogenetic relationship among Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla wild accessions
Mai, Thuy Thi Phuong, Alam, Mobashwer, Henry, Robert, Hardner, Craig and Topp, Bruce (2020). Phylogenetic relationship among Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla wild accessions. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11–13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: M D P I AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036067
Toft, B. D., Alam, M. M. and Topp, B. L. (2018). Broad-sense heritability and inter-trait relationships in young macadamia architecture, flowering and yield. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.75
Early growth and graft success in macadamia seedling and cutting rootstocks
Alam, M. M., Wilkie, J. and Topp, B. L. (2018). Early growth and graft success in macadamia seedling and cutting rootstocks. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.79
Variation in floral and growth traits in a macadamia breeding population
O’Connor, K.M., Hardner, C.M., Alam, M.M., Hayes, B.J. and Topp, B.L. (2018). Variation in floral and growth traits in a macadamia breeding population. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.77
Variation in precocity in a macadamia breeding population
Alam, M.M., Howell, E., Hardner, C.M. and Topp, B.L. (2018). Variation in precocity in a macadamia breeding population. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.80
‘MPM1’: a macadamia hybrid showing breakdown of biological rhythm in morphogenesis
Alam, M.M., Neal, J., Howell, E., Russell, D. and Topp, B.L. (2018). ‘MPM1’: a macadamia hybrid showing breakdown of biological rhythm in morphogenesis. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture (ISTTH), Cairns, QLD, Australia, 20-25 November, 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2018.1205.78
Genetic diversity and variability in graft success in Australian macadamia rootstocks
Alam, Mohammad, Wilkie, John, Kelly, Allison, Hardner, Craig and Topp, Bruce (2017). Genetic diversity and variability in graft success in Australian macadamia rootstocks. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars
Alam, Mobashwer, Hardner, Craig, Nock, Catherine, O'Connor, Katie and Topp, Bruce (2017). Historical and molecular evidence of genetic identity of 'HAES741' and 'HAES660' macadamia cultivars. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Identifying markers associated with disease-harbouring stick-tights in macadamia
O'Connor, Katie , Hayes, Ben , Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2017). Identifying markers associated with disease-harbouring stick-tights in macadamia. International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 19-20 November 2017.
Indirect prediction of macadamia yield through a genome wide association study of component traits
O'Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Mobashwer Alam and Topp, Bruce (2017). Indirect prediction of macadamia yield through a genome wide association study of component traits. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Alam, Mobashwer, Neal, Jodi, O'Connor, Katie, Nock, Catherine, Langdon, Kirsty and Topp, Bruce (2017). Morphological and molecular characterization of self-pollinated vs naturally out-crossed progeny of macadamia: a case study of 'HAES741'. International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 19-20 November 2017.
Opportunities and challenges in macadamia breeding
Topp, Bruce, Hardner, Craig, Alam, Mobashwer, Akinsanmi, Olufemi, O'Connor, Katie, Mai, Thuy and Russell, Dougal (2017). Opportunities and challenges in macadamia breeding. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, USA, 13-14 September 2017.
Prospects of utilizing wild germplasm for future improvement of macadamia
Mai, Thuy, Alam, Mobashwer, Henry, Robert, Hardner, Craig and Topp, Bruce (2017). Prospects of utilizing wild germplasm for future improvement of macadamia. International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg2017, Brisbane, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.
Searching for extended variability in nut characteristics in wild macadamia gene pool
Mai, Thuy, Alam, Mobashwer, Topp, Bruce, Hardner, Craig and Henry, Robert (2017). Searching for extended variability in nut characteristics in wild macadamia gene pool. International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 19-20 November 2017. Lausanne, Switzerland: Frontiers.
Toft, B., Topp, B. and Alam, M. (2017). Trait mining for high-density macadamia planting systems: how important are more detailed architectural characteristics. International Macadamia Research Symposium, Hawaii, United States, 13-14 September 2017.
Exploring physiological and genetic determinants of tillering in sorghum
Alam, M. M., Hammer, G. L., van Oosterom, E. J., Cruickshank, A. and Jordan, D. R. (2010). Exploring physiological and genetic determinants of tillering in sorghum. 2010 Australian Summer Grains Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 21-24 June 2010. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Grains Research & Development Corporation.
Characterising genetic variation in tillering in sorghum
Alam, M.M., Hammer, G.L., Van Oosterom, E.J., Cruickshank, A., Hunt, C. and Jordan, D.R. (2009). Characterising genetic variation in tillering in sorghum. 14th Australasian Plant Breeding & 11th SABRAO Conference, Cairns, Australia, 10-14 August, 2009. Thailand: Society for Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania.
SNP and phenotype data, and GWAS results for macadamia breeding progeny population
O'Connor, Katie, Hayes, Ben, Hardner, Craig, Alam, Mobashwer and Topp, Bruce (2019). SNP and phenotype data, and GWAS results for macadamia breeding progeny population. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.808
DArTseq based silicoDArT and SNP data
Topp, Bruce and Alam, Mobashwer (2018). DArTseq based silicoDArT and SNP data. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.394
DArTseq markers of wild macadamia species
Topp, Bruce, Alam, Mobashwer and Mai, Thuy (2018). DArTseq markers of wild macadamia species. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.395
SNPs and silicoDArT markers of B1.2 progeny and parents
Bruce Topp, O'Connor, Katie and Mohammad ALAM (2018). SNPs and silicoDArT markers of B1.2 progeny and parents. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.491
Genetic mapping and modelling of tillering in sorghum
Alam, Mohammad Mobashwer (2013). Genetic mapping and modelling of tillering in sorghum. PhD Thesis, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland.
MC17006 Macadamia Regional Variety Trials Series 4
(2020–2026) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
National Macadamia Breeding and Evaluation Program
(2019–2024) Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
Investigating Rootstock mediated vigour control in macadamia
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Endogenous fatty acid desaturation of palmitic to palmitoleic acid in macadamia kernel tissue.
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Genetic variation in Macadamia for resistance to Husk Spot, Pseudocercospora macadamiae
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Genomic-assisted exploitation of wild germplasm for improvement of macadamia
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Selection strategies to improve yield in macadamia using component traits and genomics
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Inheritance of stomatal size and density in macadamia
To cope with global climate change, one of the key focuses of the plant breeding program is to develop climate-smart varieties with efficient water use and photosynthesis. Finding out heritable and simple traits associated with less water loss and high photosynthesis can help breeders to select drought and high temperature tolerant elite cultivars. Stomatal pores on the leaf epidermis are the windows of water loss through transpiration and CO2 uptake for photosynthesis. By altering the stomatal size and density, it can be possible to optimize the amount of CO2 uptake and water loss. The focus of this project is to identify the variability in stomatal apparatus across a large number of breeding progeny, cultivars and wild germplasm of macadamia. The genetic and environmental effects on the variability of stomatal size and density will also be estimated. The inheritance pattern of the traits can be useful for future breeding decisions and planning.
This project is open for undergraduate, honours, and masters by coursework students with a background in Genetics, Plant Science, Horticulture, Plant breeding, Plant Ecology, Botany, Plant Physiology.
The scholar will develop skills in plant phenotyping, genetics, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research and presenting in conferences.
The project will be based at Queensland Government’s Maroochy Research Facility (MRF) at Nambour, which will create an opportunity to develop networks and relationships with researchers in horticulture, fruit and nut breeding, physiology, pathology, biotechnology and statistics. At MRF, the scholar will have access to modern laboratory, glasshouse and field facilities for conducting the research.
Rapid phenotyping: Developing image processing tools in macadamia
In macadamia, plant growth characteristics are measured annually to calculate the yield efficiency of the breeding progeny. Nut traits are key components of yield per tree. However, the existing phenotypic evaluation for these traits is time consuming, laborious and expensive. Developing algorithm to utilize artificial intelligence for measuring different growth traits can assist in rapid phenotyping and improve breeding efficiency. This project will develop a proof of concept for field-based image processing tool for rapid characterisation of plant size and kernel recovery. An established rootstock trial (a common scion on to 24 different rootstocks) planted in 2017 will be used for plant size measurement, and a breeding progeny trial planted in multiple trials will be used for the estimation of kernel recovery. An artificial intelligence algorithm for image analysis will be developed and tested against actual field data.
This project is open to applications from students with a background in Computational Science, Plant Breeding.
The scholar will develop skills in plant phenomics, image analysis, computational biology, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research, and presenting in conferences.
Identification of genomic regions associated with target traits: Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) in macadamia
Identification of molecular markers is important for Marker Assisted Selection (MAS), where an elite progeny is selected based on a marker associated with the trait of interest, rather than on the trait itself. Genome Wide Association study (GWAS) provides opportunities for the identification of genomic region(s) associated with the target traits by combining genome information with phenotypic data. Over the last five years, ~1000 breeding progeny, elite selections, cultivars and wild germplasm were genotyped using high throughput marker systems. Using phenotypic and genotypic data, this project aimed to identify markers associated with the trait of interest. Multiple projects are available. Target trait can be discussed before submitting the application.
This project is open to applications from students with a background in Genetics, Computational Science, Plant Breeding, Plant Biotechnology, Plant Physiology, and Quantitative Genetics.
The scholar will develop skills in Plant phenotyping, statistical genetics, genomics, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research, and to present in conferences.
Exploring the variability and mechanism of self-compatibility in macadamia
Macadamia is predominantly a self-incompatible nut crop with high industrial value worldwide. The commercial orchard production is largely dependent on the availability of insect-pollinators and cross-compatible pollen, which are prone to environmental risk factors. Presence of certain degree of self-compatibility was reported in some cultivars. Incorporation of self-compatibility in elite cultivars can reduce climatic risk and can ensure sustainable orchard production. However, the extent of variability and the mechanism of self-compatibility is unclear. This study aims to observe the variability in the degree of self-compatibility (or self-incompatibility) in breeding progeny, elite selections, cultivars and wild germplasm maintained by QAAFI’s National Macadamia Breeding and Evaluation Program. Inheritance pattern for the trait will also be evaluated. Experiments will be conducted to explore the mechanism of self-compatibility (or self-incompatibility) for further utilization in macadamia breeding program.
This project is open to applications from students with a background in Genetics, Plant Breeding, Plant Physiology.
The scholar will develop skills in Plant phenotyping, microscopy, genetics, data analysis, and interpretation of results. They may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research, and to present in conferences.