Sajjad A. Rao BSc, MSc, PhD

Sajjad A. Rao BSc, MSc, PhD

College address

Manitoba Institute of Culinary Arts, rm. 115
North Hill Campus
1035, 1st Street North
Brandon, MB
R7A2Y1
raos@assiniboine.net

Biography

Sajjad Rao

Dr. Rao is an accredited Canadian Plant Breeder and Agrologist, with over 25 years of progressive experience in applied research and teaching. Dr. Rao holds a PhD degree in plant science from The University of Liverpool, England U.K.

He has served in many academic and research positions, committees, boards of directors, and as an external examiner for post-graduate research studies with various universities. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Rao has experience working for multinational agricultural companies, holding senior-level management positions in which he developed a passion for leadership in R&D strategies.

In his professional career, Sajjad has made significant contributions in developing wheat varieties for North America, and in commercializing corn hybrids in the Asian-Pacific sphere. Currently, Dr. Rao’s research engages him in innovation of sustainable greenhouse production technologies, food systems, and in employing novel genetics in horticultural and agronomic field crops.

Areas of interest

  • Plant nutritional qualities
  • Plant proteins
  • Fruit quality and plant health
  • Foliar nutrients and soil biological stimulators
  • Sustainable greenhouse technology
  • New crop genetics
  • Local crop production and diversification

Courses recently taught

AGRC-0278 Crop production Methods

AGRC-0282 Business of Food Production

AGRC-0287 Sustainable Greenhouse Technologies

AGRC-0094 Integrated Pest Management

Horticulture School Webinar Series 2020

Recent publications / conference presentations

Abbey, L., Mintenko, A., Rao, S.A., & Singh, P. (2020). Wintering Index and Yield Traits for Early, Mid, and Late Season Strawberry for Colder Climates. International Journal of Fruit Science. DOI: 10.1080/15538362.2020.1774471

Rao, S.A. (2019, February). Wintering index and yield traits for early, mid and late season strawberry for colder climates. 9th North American Strawberry Symposium (NASS). Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.

Rao, S.A., Abbey, L. and Khakbazan, M. (2018). Impact of solar energy on greenhouse climate and crop production. Acta Hortic, 1227: 151-158. DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1227.18

Abbey, L., and Rao, S.A. (2017). Differential response of plant species to greenhouse microclimate created by design technology and ambient conditions. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 98(2): 300-308. Doi.org/10.1139/CJPS-2016-0419.

Rao, S.A. (2017, August). Impact of -Climate Energy Effect- on greenhouse climate and crop production. International Symposium on New Technologies for Environment Control, Energy-saving and Crop Production in Greenhouse and Plant Factory. Beijing, China.

Rao, H., Kauser, N., Mirbahar, A. A., Kazmi, S. K., Khan, S., Rao, S.A. (2016). Detection of GM contamination in IRRI-6 variety of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grown in Pakistan. International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, 13(4): 523-527.

Rao, S.A. (2015, February). Effects of planting dates on yield and postharvest quality of snap bean varieties under Manitoba growing conditions. Direct Farms Marketing Conference. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Rao, S.A. and Maxwell, D. (2013). WFT 603-New wheats in the Prairie pipeline. Prairie Grain Development Committee Recommendation, Prairie Recommending Committee for Wheat, Rye and Triticale. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Manitoba Cooperator, 71(14): 17.

Abbey, L., Rao, S.A., Hodgins, L.N, and Breit, F. (2012). Drying and rehydration of vermicasts do not affect nutrient bioavailability and seedling growth. American Journal of Plant Nutrition and Fertilization Technology, 3(1):12-21.

Akram, A., Khan, A.I., Awan, F.S., Rehman, A., Ahmad, F., Malik, A., and Rao, S. (2012) Genetic diversity in Indian Sub-Continental landrace cultivars of the genus Triticum L. African Journal of Biotechnology, 11(44): 10170-10175.

Muhammad, R.W., Anjum, R., Liaquat, S., Qayyum, A., Malik, W., Murtaza, N., Hussain, M., Ahmed B., Rao, S. A., and Noor, E. (2012). Numerical evaluation of local and exotic maize genotypes in arid conditions. Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, 10(1): 624-630.

Sohail, M. I., Rao, S.A, and Javaid, A. (2006). Evaluation of hybrid corn (Zea mays L). International Journal of Biology and Biotechnology, 3(2): 391-397.

Khan, A.A., Rao, S.A, and McNeilly, T. (2003). Assessment of salinity tolerance based upon seedling root growth response functions in maize (Zea mays L). Euphytica, 131(1): 81-89.

Rao, S.A, and McNeilly, T. (1999). Genetic basis of salt tolerance in maize (Zea mays L). Euphytica, 108(3): 145-150.

Rao, S.A., Khan, M. A., and Khan, A.A. (1997). Cause and effect relation of yield and yield component in rice. Journal of Genetics and Breeding, 51: 1-5

Khan, A.A., Rao, S.A, and Ali, A. (1997). Estimation of genetics components of variation through diallel analysis of cotton fiber and seed properties. Journal of Genetics and Breeding, 51: 143-147.