Profile Picture

Dr. Mehdi Maqbool

Associate Professor (Ph.D)

Dr. Mehdi Maqbool

Associate Professor (Ph.D)

Research Area: Postharvest Physiology, Supply Chain Management
About Me

Dr. Mehdi Maqbool is currently working as Associate Professor (Tenured). He joined the Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch Rawalakot as Assistant Professor (TTS) since 01/11/2017 after completing one-year IPFP in the same Department. Before, joining University of Poonch Rawalakot, he worked as a Research Programme Coordinator at Crops for the Future Research Centre, Malaysia for three (03) years. He has completed his PhD from University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus in July, 2012 in the field of Horticulture (Postharvest Physiology). During the last 6 years of his services in the Department of Horticulture, he has taught B.Sc (Hons), M.Sc (Hons) and PhD courses. Dr. Maqbool has successfully supervised BSc (Hons) students for their final year projects, MSc (Hons) thesis students as a supervisor and as a member. While 07 MSc (Hons) thesis students and 08 PhD scholars are currently under his supervision. In total, he has published 44 research articles in journals of international repute. He has also published 08 articles in conference proceedings in the last five years. Moreover, he has also published 02 book chapters during this period. Dr. Maqbool has been the part of different editorial committees of highly reputed journals and also he has been honored to become a life member of Pakistan Society for Horticultural Science (PSHS). He also served as an Associate Editor of HortiMag from 2018 to 2019. Moreover, he also served the PSHS as a Vice President for Kashmir region from 2020-2021. He has been awarded with 02 research projects as a PI. One of them was awarded by the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad under Endowment Fund worth PKR 2.199 million in 2021, while second project was awarded by the Higher Education Commission Islamabad under NRPU worth PKR 3.649 million in 2022. He is also serving as Co-PI in one of the project which was awarded by the Higher Education Commission Islamabad under Local Challenge Fund (LCF) worth PKR 3.094 million in 2021. He has participated in 36 national and international conferences, workshops and seminars. He has presented his research work in 10 national and 02 international conferences. Dr. Maqbool earned an HEC travel grant for presenting his research paper at International Conference on Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Food Technology (ICAFT 2018), organized by the Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Terengganu, Malaysia. He also presented his research paper as an invited speaker at the First International Conference on Sustainability of Natural Resources: Sustainable Solid Waste Management (SNR-SSWM2019), organized by the College of Engineering, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. He also served as a convener in 6th International Conference organized by the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Poonch Rawalakot in 2019 and 2022.

Degree Major University Start Date End Date
Ph.D Horticulture University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus March 2009 July 2012
MSc (Hons) Horticulture Horticulture University of Agriculture, Faisalabad September 2004 June 2006
BSc (Hons) Agriculture Horticulture Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan October 2000 August 2004
Designation Organization Duration
Associate Professor (Tenured) University of Poonch Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir April 2023 - April 2027
Assistant Professor, TTS Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJK November 2017 - April 2023
Assistant Professor, IPFP Department of Horticulture, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, AJK August 2016 - August 2017
Horticulturist Embassy of Turkey, Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad - Pakistan June 2016 - August 2016
Senior Technical Manager - Agriculture Perspective Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd., Islamabad - Pakistan April 2016 - June 2016
Research Programme Coordinator - FoodPLUS Crops For the Future Research Centre (CFFRC) - Malaysia October 2012 - September 2015
Research Assistant/PhD Scholar School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Malaysia March 2009 - April 2012
Horticulture Officer Arch Vision, Consulting Engineers, Environmentalists & Architects Karachi, Pakistan July 2006 - October 2006
Title Description Sponsoring Agency Amount Year
Horticulture It is a three year project in which biodiversity of Rubus species will be explored from the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Rs. 3.65 million
Horticulture It is a year project to address the issue of pre-mature fruit drop in apples in Rawalakot. Rs. 3.01 million
Horticulture It is a three year project in which wildly grown black raspberries will be domesticated for exploiting their future potential in Rawalakot, AJK Rs. 2.199 million
Horticulture It was a six months project to understand that why people purchase underutilised or other conventional fruits and vegetables. GBP 20 K
Designation Department Organization From Date To Date
Life Member Pakistan Society for Horticultural Science
Life Member Pakistan Botanical Society
Associate Editor Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences (JEAS)
Honorary Member International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS)
Member Board of Studies Department of Horticulture
Member Program Assessment Team (PTA) Department of Horticulture
Member Postgraduate Examination Committee Department of Horticulture
Member Graduate Departmental Synopsis and Research Committee Department of Horticulture
Member Class Room Monitoring Committee Faculty of Agriculture
Member GRE Committe Department of Horticulture
Member Admission Committee for PhD Department of Horticulture
Member Tutorial Groups Management Faculty of Agriculture
Member Quality Assurance Committee Faculty of Agriculture
Associate Editor, HortiMag Pakistan Society for Horticultural Science
Focal Person for Departmental Self Assessment Report (SAR) Department of Horticulture
Member Editorial Board (Pak J Environ Life Sci) Published by Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan
Member Synopsis Approval Committee Faculty of Agriculture, UPR
Member Board of Studies Department of Food Science and Technology, UPR
Member Faculty Quality Education Monitoring Committee Faculty of Agriculture, UPR
Member Prospectus/Annual Report Committee University of Poonch Rawalakot, AJK
Member Training/Seminar/Workshops Management Committee Faculty of Agriculture, UPR
Member Faculty Council of Agriculture Faculty of Agriculture, UPR
Member Postgraduate Departmental Admission Committee Department of Horticulture
Member/Secretary Sexual Harassment Committee University of Poonch Rawalakot, AJK
Description Year DOI
Zahid, N., B.F. Alowaiesh, N. Masood, K.S. Ahmad, S. Khalid, M.S. Khalid, M. Maqbool, S.I. Awan, Z. Imtiaz. Multi-locational study on plant growth regulators to minimize pre-mature fruit drop and maximize postharvest quality of apples. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10: 1, 2300178 (IF: 2.31) 2024 https://doi.or/10.1080/23311932.2023.2300178
Iqbal, M.M., T. Naz, M. Shehzad, A. Ahmad, M. Maqbool, N. Zahid, M. Ashraf, S.M. Shahzad, M.A. Piracha, B.A. Khan Nutrient Management in Kitchen Gardening: Learn to Produce Pesticide Free Beneficial Fruits and Vegetable Production In: Reimagining Education. R. Tiwari, S.K. Patel, S.K. Patel (Eds.) Eureka Publications, India, First Edition -2023, pp. 331-354. 2023 ISBN: 978-939-126089-7
Shehzad, M., N. Zahid, M. Maqbool, A. Singh, H. Liu, C. Wu, A. Khan, F. Wahid, S. Saud Climate Resilience in Agriculture. In: Jatoi W.N., M. Mubeen, A. Ahmad, M.A. Cheema, Z. Lin, M.Z. Hashmi (Eds.), Building Climate Resilience in Agriculture Springer, Cham. pp. 67-82. (ISBN: 978-3-030-79407-1) (Book Chapter) 2022 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79408-8_5
Khan, M.R., M.A. Khan, U. Habib, M. Maqbool, R.M. Rana, S.I. Awan, B. Duralija Evaluation of the characteristics of native wild Himalayan fig (Ficus palmata Forsk.) from Pakistan as a potential species for sustainable fruit production Sustainability, 14: 468. (IF: 3.51) 2022 https://doi.org/10.3390/ su14010468
Saleem, M.S., S. Ejaz, M.A. Anjum, S. Ali, S. Hussain, A. Nawaz, S. Naz, M. Maqbool, A.M. Abbas Aloe vera gel coating delays softening and maintains quality of stored persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruits Journal of Food Science and Technology. (IF: 2.701) 2022 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-022-05412-5
Zahid, N., M. Maqbool, M.M. Tahir, S. Horvitz, A. Hamid, M.S. Khalid, S. Ejaz, R. Jawad, S.I. Awan, A. Rehman, A. Ali Influence of organic and inorganic fertilizer regimes on growth patterns and antioxidants capacity of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler. Journal of Food Quality, Volume 2022, Article ID 8618854, 10 pages. (IF: 2.546) 2022 https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8618854
Ali, S., A. Nawaz, S. Naz, S. Ejaz, M. Maqbool, M.H. Siddiqui, H.M. Kalaji, J. Wróbel, A. Telesinski, A. Auriga Hydrogen sulfide mitigates chilling injury of postharvest banana fruits by regulating -aminobutyric acid shunt pathway and ascorbate–glutathione cycle Frontiers in Plant Science, 13: 941246. (IF: 5.753) 2022 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.941246
Hayat, S., N. Zahid, M. Maqbool, A. Hamid, S.Z.A. Shah, M. Shehzad. Transplanting time of strawberry runners influences plant growth, posth-harvest quality and antioxidant properties of different cultivars grown in subtropical highlands of Azad Jammu and Kash Plant Bulletin, 01(2): 69-81. (Y-Category) 2022 https://doi.org/10.55627/pbulletin.001.02.0221
Zahid, N., M.J. Ahmed, M.M. Tahir, M. Maqbool, S. Z. A. Shah, S. J. Hussain, A. Khaliq, M. I. A. Rehmani Integrated effect of urea and poultry manure on growth, yield and postharvest quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2021: 1-9. (X-Category) 2021 DOI: 10.35495/ajab.2020.07.381
Tahir, M.M., S. Begum, M. Maqbool, A. Khaliq, N. Zahid, K. Mehmood, M. Shehzad Evaluation of selected medicinal plant materials and dicyandiamide on nitrification of urea-derived ammonium under laboratory conditions Journal of Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, 184: 132-141. (IF: 2.057) 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/jpln.201900501
Khalid, A.R., S. Zhang, X. Luo, H. Shaheen, A. Majeed, M. Maqbool, N. Zahid, J. Rahim, M. Ren, P. Dong, D. Qiu Functional analysis of autophagy related gene ATG12 in potato dry rot fungus Fusarium oxysporum International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22: 4932-4946. (IF: 4.556) 2021 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22094932
Zahid, N., M. Maqbool, A. Hamid, M. Shehzad, M.M. Tahir, K. Mubeen, H.M.R. Javeed, H.U. Rehman, M. Ali, A. Ali, P. O’Reilly, S.Z.A. Shah Changes in vegetative and reproductive growth and postharvest quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. Chandler grown at different substrates. Journal of Food Quality, Volume 2021, Article ID 9996073, 9 pages. (IF: 2.450) 2021 https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9996073
Zahid, N., M. Maqbool, M.M. Tahir, A. Hamid, A. Ahmad, M.S. Khalid, H.U. Rehman, N. Masood, S.I. Awan, J.R. Khan, A. Ali, S.Z.A. Shah Nutritional diversity and antioxidant activity of two indigenous quince ecotypes from Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Journal of Food Quality, Volume 2021, Article ID 1129998, 9 pages. (IF: 2.450) 2021 https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1129998
Abbas, T., M. Maqbool, N. Zahid, S.Z.A. Shah. Improving runner production, total yield and postharvest quality of strawberry fruits using plant growth regulators. Jammu Kashmir Journal of Agriculture, 01(01): 23-33. (Y-Category) 2021 https://doi.org/10.56810/jkjagri.001.01.0015
Shehzad, M., A. Hira, M. Khalid, M. Jamil, M. M. Tahir, M. Maqbool, S. Naeem, A. Ayesha, A. Q. Muhammad, M. R. J. Hafiz, M. Khuram, A. Aqeel and S. Khalid Influence of various mineral phosphorus sources on growth and yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in rainfed conditions of Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir International Journal of Agricultural Technology, 16(6): 1505-1514. (HEC recognized) 2020 N/A
Naseer, M.A., M. Maqbool, N. Zahid, S. Rafiq, A. Hamid, S. Z. A. Shah Comparative analysis of physical and biochemical attributes of edible fig (Ficus carica L.) collected from three districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 33(4): 707-713. (HEC recognized) 2020 DOI:10.17582/journal.pjar/2020/33.4.707.713
Zahid, N., M. Maqbool, A. Ali, Y. Siddiqui, Q.A. Bhatti Inhibition in production of cellulolytic and pectinolytic enzymes of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from dragon fruit plants in response to submicron chitosan dispersions Scientia Horticulturae, 243 (2019): 314-319 (IF: 1.760) 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2018.08.011
Bashir, S., S.Z.A. Shah, R.M.M. Naz, A. Hamid, S. Anjum, N. Zahid, M. Maqbool, M.I. Khan, A. Yaqoob, Z.H. Khan, A. Afzal. Physicochemical evaluation of field pea (Pisum sativum L.) landraces under rainfed conditions of AJ&K-Pakistan Pure and Applied Biology, 8(2): 1033-1042. (Y-Category) 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80044
Fareed, K., M.J. Ahmed, M. Maqbool, N. Zahid, A. Hamid, S.Z.A. Shah Effect of surface disinfectants on fruit blemishes (Sooty blotch & Flyspeck) and quality of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) cv. Banky during cold storage Pure and Applied Biology, 8(2): 1126-1134. (Y-Category) 2019 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2019.80054
Maqbool, M., N. Zahid, A. Hamid, S.Z.A. Shah, A. Yaqoob, S.A. Abbas, S. Rafique Evaluation of physico-nutritional and functional properties of indigenous pear cultivars grown in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Vol. 56(3), 607-611. (IF: 0.690) 2019 N/A
Noosheen Zahid, Mehdi Maqbool, Asgar Ali, Ajit Singh Advances in cultivation of guava. In: Achieving sustainable cultivation of citrus and other tropical and subtropical fruits – Volume 2 Other tropical and subtropical fruits Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing, Cambridge, CB22 3HJ Elhadi M. Yahia (Ed.). (Book Chapter) 2019 https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429266638
Idress, M., S. Khan, F. Rehman, M. Ali, Shahzaman, M. Maqbool, U.A.A. Sheikh Efficacy of different insecticides against Cydia pomonella infestation from apple orchards in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Plant Protection, 04(03): 125-130. (HEC recognized) 2019 DOI: 10.33804/pp.004.03.3422
Shehzad, I., M. Maqbool, N. Zahid, S.Z.A. Shah, M.J. Ahmed, A. Hamid, A. Yaqoob and M.A. Shehzad. Effect of organic fungicides on sooty blotch, flyspeck and quality of apple cv. Banki grown in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pure and Applied Biology, 7(1): 400-406. (Y-Category) 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.70049
Kayani, F.A., N. Zahid, M. Maqbool, M.J. Ahmed, A. Hamid, S.Z.A. Shah and A. Yaqoob Effect of climatic factors on sooty blotch, flyspeck intensity and fruit quality of apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) Pure and Applied Biology, 7(2): 727-735. (Y-Category) 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.70091
Maqbool, M., N. Zahid, A. Ali and A. Singh Inhibition of cell wall degrading enzymes and improved storability of banana fruit by using composite edible coatings Journal of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, 9: 80-86. 2016 N/A
Zahid, N., M. Maqbool and A. Ali Screening of different types of chitosan, formulation of submicron chitosan dispersions and determination of their physicochemical properties International Journal of Agricultural and Wildlife Sciences, 2(2): 54-65. 2016 N/A
Zahid, N., M. Maqbool, S. Manickam, Y. Siddiqui and A. Ali Regulation of inducible enzymes and suppression of anthracnose using submicron chitosan dispersions Scientia Horticulturae, 193: 381-388. (IF: 1.365) 2015 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.07.014
Zahid, N., A. Ali, S. Manickam, Y. Siddiqui, P.G. Alderson and M. Maqbool Efficacy of curative applications of submicron chitosan dispersions on anthracnose intensity and vegetative growth of dragon fruit plants Crop Protection, 62: 129-134. (IF: 1.493) 2014 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2014.04.010
Ali, A., N. Zahid, S. Manickam, Y. Siddiqui, P.G. Alderson and M. Maqbool Induction of lignin and pathogenesis related proteins in dragon fruit plants in response to submicron chitosan dispersions Crop Protection, 63: 83-88. (IF: 1.493) 2014 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2014.05.009
Ali, A., M. Maqbool, P.G. Alderson and N. Zahid Effect of gum arabic as an edible coating on antioxidant capacity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit during storage Postharvest Biology and Technology, 76: 119-124. (IF: 2.628) 2013 AP
Zahid, N., A. Ali, Y. Siddiqui and M. Maqbool Efficacy of ethanolic extract of propolis in maintaining postharvest quality of dragon fruit during storage Postharvest Biology and Technology, 79: 69-72. (IF: 2.628) 2013 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.01.003
Ali, A., N. Zahid, S. Manickam, Y. Siddiqui, P.G. Alderson and M. Maqbool Effectiveness of submicron chitosan dispersion in controlling anthracnose and maintaining quality of dragon fruits Postharvest Biology and Technology, 86: 147-153. (2.628) 2013 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2013.06.027
Jabbar, A., A.U. Malik, M. Maqbool, M. Amin, M. Saeed and R. Hameed Anti-sap chemicals and hot water quarantine treatment effects on storage life and fruit quality of mango cv. Samar Bahisht Chaunsa Pakistan Journal of Botany, 44(2): 757-764. (IF: 0.907) 2012 NA
Zahid, N., A. Ali, S. Manickam, Y. Siddiqui, M. Maqbool. Potential of chitosan loaded nanoemulsions to control different Colletotrichum spp. and maintain quality of tropical fruits during cold storage. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 113 (4): 925-939. (IF: 2.196) 2012 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05398.x
Edirisinghe, M., A. Ali, M. Maqbool, P.G. Alderson Chitosan controls postharvest anthracnose in bell pepper by activating defense-related enzymes Journal of Food Science and Technology, 51 (12): 4078-4083. (IF: 1.123) 2012 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-012-0907-5
Maqbool, M., A. Ali, P.G. Alderson, T.M.M. Mahmud, Y. Siddiqui, N. Zahid Postharvest application of gum arabic and essential oils for controlling anthracnose and quality of banana and papaya during cold storage Postharvest Biology and Technology, 62 (1): 71-76. (IF: 2.454). 2011 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2011.04.002
Maqbool, M., A. Ali, P.G. Alderson, N. Zahid, Y. Siddiqui Effect of a novel edible composite coating based on gum arabic and chitosan on biochemical and physiological responses of banana fruits during cold storage Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59(10): 5474-5482. (IF: 2.906) 2011 DOI: 10.1021/jf200623m
Maqbool, M., A. Ali and P.G. Alderson Effect of cinnamon oil on the incidence of anthracnose disease and postharvest quality of bananas during storage International Journal of Agriculture & Biology, 12(4): 516-520. (IF: 0.940) 2010 NA
Ali, A., M. Maqbool, S. Ramachandran and P.G. Alderson Gum arabic as a novel edible coating for enhancing shelf-life and improving postharvest quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit Postharvest Biology and Technology, 58 (1): 42-47. (IF: 2.454) 2010 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2010.05.005
Maqbool, M., A. Ali and P.G. Alderson A combination of gum arabic and chitosan can control anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum musae and enhances the shelf-life of banana fruit Journal of Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, 85 (5): 432-436. (IF: 0.84) 2010 https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2010.11512693
Maqbool, M., A. Ali, S. Ramachandran, D.R. Smith and P.G. Alderson Control of postharvest anthracnose of banana using a new edible composite coating Crop Protection, 29 (10): 1136-1141. (IF: 1.303) 2010 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2010.06.005
Abbasi, N.A., Z. Iqbal, M. Maqbool and I.A. Hafiz Postharvest quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit as affected by chitosan coating Pakistan Journal of Botany, 41(1): 343-357. (IF: 0.836) 2009 NA
Abbasi, N.A., A. Hussain, M. Maqbool, I.A. Hafiz and A. A. Qureshi Encapsulated calcium carbide enhances production and postharvest performance of potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers New Zealand Journal of Crop & Horticultural Sciences, 37 (2): 131-139. (IF: 0.544) 2009 https://doi.org/10.1080/01140670909510258
Maqbool, M. and A. U. Malik Anti-sap chemicals reduce sapburn injury and improve fruit quality in commercial mango cultivars of Pakistan International Journal of Agriculture & Biology, 10(1): 1-8. (IF: 0.940) 2008 NA
Abbas, H., N.A. Abbasi, T. Yaseen, M. Maqbool and T. Ahmad Influence of irradiated chitosan coating on postharvest quality of Kinnow (Citrus reticulate Blanco.) Asian Journal of Chemistry, 20 (8): 6217-6227. (IF: 0.27) 2008 NA
Abbasi, N.A., M.M. Kushad, I.A. Hafiz and M. Maqbool Relationship of superficial scald related fruit maturity with polyphenoloxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in a Red Spur Delicious™ apples Asian Journal of Chemistry, 20 (8): 5986-5996. (IF: 0.27) 2008 NA
Maqbool, M., A.U. Malik and A. Jabbar Sap dynamics and its management in commercial mango cultivars of Pakistan Pakistan Journal of Botany, 39(5): 1565-1574. (IF: 0.836) 2007 NA