About

Research Interests

Dr. Ume Ummara’s research interests lie at the intersection of phytoremediation, bioaugmentation, and plant-microbe interactions, with a particular focus on the remediation of hydrocarbons (HCs) from the HCs polluted soil. The objective of our research is to explore how synergistic relationships between plants and beneficial microbes can enhance the remediation of contaminated environments, particularly for theremoval of hydrocarbons from polluted sites. By investigating the physiological responses of plants under hydrocarbon-induced stress by using bacterial microbial inoculants, our studies aim to develop strategies that not only improve plant tolerance but also accelerate the degradation of resilient hydrocarbons. This integrated approach offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for restoring environmental quality while advancing our understanding of plant adaptation.

Publications

1. Ummara, U., Jaleel, F., Ahmed, F., Al-Zoubi, O. M., Iqbal, S., Naz, N., ... & Alotaibi, M. O. (2025). The Role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia phytofirmans and Acinetobacter junii in Phytoremediation of Crude Oil and Stimulation of Physio-Biochemical Activities of Wheat. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 1-13.
2. Iqbal, S., Ummara, U., Noreen, S., Akhter, M. S., Jaleel, F., Jabeen, S., ... & Aqeel, M. (2024). Enhancing systematic tolerance in Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon L.) through amplified alkB gene expression and bacterial-driven hydrocarbon degradation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(13), 19871-19885.
3. Akhter, M. S., Noreen, S., Ummara, U., Aqeel, M., Saleem, N., Ahmed, M. M., ... & Ahmad, P. (2022). Silicon-induced mitigation of NaCl stress in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), associated with enhanced enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. Plants, 11(18), 2379.
4. Ummara, U., Jaleel, F., Ahmed, F., Al-Zoubi, O. M., Iqbal, S., Naz, N., ... & Alotaibi, M. O. (2025). The Role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia phytofirmans and Acinetobacter junii in Phytoremediation of Crude Oil and Stimulation of Physio-Biochemical Activities of Wheat. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 1-13.
5. Ummara, U., Noreen, S., Afzal, M., Zafar, Z. U., Akhter, M. S., Iqbal, S., ... & Ahmad, P. (2022). Induced systemic tolerance mediated by plant-microbe interaction in maize (Zea mays L.) plants under hydrocarbon contamination. Chemosphere, 290, 133327.
6. Ummara, U., Noreen, S., Afzal, M., & Ahmad, P. (2021). Bacterial bioaugmentation enhances hydrocarbon degradation, plant colonization and gene expression in diesel‐contaminated soil. Physiologia plantarum, 173(1), 58-66.
7. Noreen, S., Akhter, M. S., Noman, A., Ummara, U., Mahmood, S., & Hashim, M. (2021). Future Perspectives of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defence System in Plants. Developing Climate-Resilient Crops, 53-84.
8. Ummara, U., Noreen, S., Zafar, Z., & Afzal, M. (2021). Influence of bacterial inoculation on photosynthetic capacity, mineral uptake, total protein and amino acid content of maize (Zea mays) under diesel stress.
9. Noreen, S., Sultan, M., Akhter, M. S., Shah, K. H., Ummara, U., Manzoor, H., ... & Ahmad, P. (2021). Foliar fertigation of ascorbic acid and zinc improves growth, antioxidant enzyme activity and harvest index in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown under salt stress. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 158, 244-254.
10. Ummara, U., Bokhari, T. Z., Siddiqui, M. F., Dasti, A. A., Younis, U., & Shah, M. H. R. (2015). QUANTITATIVE DESCRIPTION OF UNDERSTOREY VEGETATION OF SHOGRAN VALLEY, PAKISTAN. FUUAST Journal of Biology, 5(1).
11. Bokhari, T. Z., Raja, R., Younis, U., Bushra, E., & Ummara, U. (2013). Medicinal importance of few plants from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. FUUAST Journal of Biology, 3(1 june), 93-99.
12. Ummara, U., Bokhari, T. Z., Altaf, A., Younis, U., & Dasti, A. A. (2013). Pharmacological study of Shogran valley flora, Pakistan. Int J Sci Eng Res, 4(9), 1-9.