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- First Report of Root-Lesion Nematode, Pratylenchus thornei, Infecting Wheat (Triticum aestivum) in EthiopiaAuthor(s): Ferede, Yohannes M.; Wesemael, Wim M. L.; Couvreur, Marjolein; Tadesse, Wuletaw; Teklu, Misghina G.; Bert, Wim (AMER PHYTOPATHOLOGICAL SOC)Date: 2026-09-26Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessWheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most widely cultivated strategic crops to ensure food security in Ethiopia. In 2024, soil and root samples were collected from 300 wheat fields across 28 localities in 10 districts during a survey of Ethiopia’s major wheat-growing regions. Root-lesion nematodes were detected in 268 fields across 25 localities in 8 districts. One representative isolate from each positive locality was maintained, resulting in 25 isolates. Infected plants showed stunting and characteristic visible root lesions. The highest nematode density (1,200 ± 100 individuals/100 ml) was recovered from root and soil samples from Wudegetna Gefersa, East Sodo district, Gurage zone, Central Ethiopia Regional State (8°18′49.63″N, 38°58′12″E), using the modified Baermann tray method (Whitehead and Hemming 1965). These were identified as Pratylenchus thornei based on morphological characters following Castillo and Vovlas (2007), including a low, flattened lip region with two to three annuli, a well-developed stylet, and a conoid tail with a blunt terminus. The following morphometrics (mean ± SD) were recorded for adult females (n = 10): L = 692 ± 24.0 μm, stylet = 16.0 ± 0.43 μm, V = 75.1 ± 2.0%, and tail length = 33 ± 3.8 μm. Specimens were deposited in the Nematology Research Unit Collection, Ghent University, Belgium (UGnem-361–362). Species identity of 14 isolates was confirmed by sequencing the D2–D3 expansion segments of the 28S rRNA gene (PZ224314 to PZ224316; PZ228485 to PZ228495), the ITS rDNA region (PZ253353 to PZ253354; PZ270527) of 3 isolates, and the mitochondrial COI gene (PZ253376 to PZ253391) of 16 isolates, following Janssen et al. (2017). The obtained sequences were identical to the reference sequences of P. thornei in GenBank and clustered with other P. thornei sequences in maximum-supported clades. One representative P. thornei isolate from the field population with the highest nematode density (Wudegetna Gefersa) was confirmed by species-specific PCR targeting the 28S and ITS rDNA regions, established as a pure carrot-disc culture, and used for the pathogenicity experiment. Pathogenicity was confirmed under growth chamber conditions (18 to 23°C with 8 h dark and 16 h light) using a local wheat cultivar ‘Boru’ grown in sterilized soil–sand mixture, following Toktay et al. (2012) with minor modifications at test Pi = 100 individuals per pot (yellow stubby Cone-tainers [RLC4 type, 1.5 × 5.5 in.; Stuewe & Sons; n = 20]). After 10 weeks of growing, the nematodes were extracted using zonal centrifugation from both the roots and the soil (Hendrickx 1995). The Pf obtained was 427 ± 134.6 per pot (RF = 4.27), and typical brownish root lesions were observed. Recovered nematodes were morphologically and molecularly identical to P. thornei, fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Although ITS2 soil metabarcoding previously indicated the presence of P. thornei from soils associated with a soilborne pathogen complex of faba bean in the Amhara and Oromia regional states of Ethiopia (Yilma et al. 2025), the present study constitutes the first confirmed report of P. thornei infecting wheat in the Central Ethiopia Regional State based on morphological, molecular, and pathogenicity evidence. Given the well-documented yield losses caused by P. thornei in wheat worldwide, this finding underscores a significant threat to Ethiopian wheat production and the need to step up targeted surveillance, assess the damage, screen for resistance, and initiate effective management strategies.
- Durum Wheat cv. Svevo Reference Genome Rel.2.0:A Comprehensive Tool for Wheat GenomicsAuthor(s): Mazzucotelli, Elisabetta; Forestan, Cristian; Zastrow-Hayes, Gina; Swarbreck, David; Lev-Mirom, Yael; Cavalet-Giorsa, Emile; Bozzoli, Matteo; Mastrangelo, Anna Maria; Marone, Daniela; Ranwez, Vincent; Girodolle, Johanna; Llaca, Victor; Fengler, Kevin; Harris, Charlotte; Toegelová, Helena; Navrátilová, Pavla; Faccioli, Primetta; Desiderio, Francesca; Valladares, Ana Paola; Kaithakottil, Gemy; L. Rusholme-Pilcher, Rachel; Spannagl, Manuel; Gundlach, Heidrun; Mayer, Klaus; C. Blake, Victoria; Faris, Justin; Xu, Steven; Z. Sen, Taner; Yao, Eric; Sanchez, Julio Isidro y; Liu, Chunyi; Farooq, Muhammad; Stefanelli, Sandra; Cappucci, Chiara; Oren, Leah; Eilam, Tamar; Giorgioni, Mario; Stella, Alessandra; Lazzari, Barbara; Lauria, Massimiliano; Ceriotti, Aldo; Pirona, Raul; Tavakol, Elahe; Klymiuk, Valentyna; Ens, Jennifer; Chawla, Harmeet Singh; Walkowiak, Sean; Pecchioni, Nicola; Bassi, Filippo; Sanchez-Garcia, Miguel; Sonnante, Gabriella; L. Curci, Pasquale; Giuliano, Giovanni; Aprea, Giuseppe; Pasha, Asher; Gadaleta, Agata; Marcotuli, Ilaria; Masci, Stefania; Sestili, Francesco; palombieri, Samuela; Scaglione, Davide; Morgante, Michele; Simkova, Hana; J. Provart, Nicholas; Krattinger, Simon G.; Pozniak, Curtis; Chantret, Nathalie; Hall, Anthony E.; Distelfeld, Assaf; Tuberosa, Roberto; Maccaferri, Marco; Cattivelli, Luigi (Wiley Open Access, 2026-10-01)Date: 2026-07-13Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessAdvancements in plant genome sequencing and assembly have enabled the production of increasingly accurate and contiguous genome sequences. Here, we present the chromosome-level assembly of the durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum, cv. Svevo) reference genome produced using accurate long-reads, optical mapping and Hi-C. The new assembly (Svevo Rel.2.0) comprises 263 hybrid scaffolds with an N50 value of 112.3 Mb, arranged into 14 contiguous pseudomolecules spanning 10.4 Gb. The Svevo Rel.2.0 genome assembly was annotated using extensive short- and long-read RNA sequencing data obtained from 60 tissue/treatment combinations. The resulting annotation comprises 68 154 high-confidence protein-coding genes, which have been integrated into a comprehensive transcriptome atlas accessible through an eFP browser. Annotation was manually curated for storage protein gene families and for Leucine-Rich Repeat-Containing Receptor genes yielding 3763 LRR-CR loci. The genome assembly's accuracy and completeness were demonstrated by the correct reconstruction of the physical map of Tg1-B (Tenacious glumes 1), a locus controlling the free threshing trait located on chromosome 2B that was not assembled in the previous genome release (Svevo Rel.1.0). A wealth of 6621 QTLs/MTAs from the literature were mapped onto Svevo Rel.2.0 to identify QTL hotspots and trait-specific candidate genes. The ancestry of the durum genome to representative wild emmer populations from North-Eastern and Southern-Levant Fertile Crescent assessed by tracing haplotype transmission patterns revealed a clear mosaic pattern. This new durum reference genome, enhanced with advanced annotation and an expression atlas linked to QTLome data, is the most comprehensive tool available for durum wheat genomics.
- The climate-biodiversity-livestock nexus in Mediterranean mixed agroecosystems: Modeling crop yields adaptation using a system-GMM approachAuthor(s): Benmehaia, Mohamed Amine; Mezerdi, Farid; Mokhtari, Sakher; Frija, Aymen (Springer Heidelberg)Date: 2026-06-15Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessAcross the semi-arid landscapes of Mediterranean Agroecosystems, crop productivity is increasingly threatened by rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and evolving land-use pressures. While crop diversification and livestock integration are widely promoted as adaptive strategies, their combined effectiveness remains underexplored in data-scarce contexts like North Africa. This study investigates the dynamic interactions between climate stressors, crop diversity, and livestock integration, with a specific focus on understanding how these components jointly shape crop productivity across diverse agroecological settings. Using a System-GMM estimation approach, the analysis addresses endogeneity, persistence, and interactions effects. By endogenizing livestock integration, the model empirically accounting for feedback loops between livestock dynamics and cropping systems diversification, particularly under variable climate conditions. Machine-learning techniques are used for optimal model selection. Interaction and marginal effects analysis are conducted to uncover synergistic effects. Findings reveal that crop yield responds non-monotonically to temperature anomalies, rainfall deficits, and diversification indices. The impact of crop diversification is strongly conditioned by livestock presence and type. Sheep grazing, when combined with diversified cropping systems, enhances yield resilience to heat stress but exacerbates vulnerability to rainfall deficits. Several double and triple interaction terms are statistically significant, confirming the presence of context-specific synergies and trade-offs. This study contributes by endogenizing livestock integration within a dynamic GMM framework, and by generating stress-specific insights that can guide more targeted and resilient adaptation strategies for North African agroecosystems. The results offer generalizable implications for mixed farming systems operating under climate uncertainty.
- Compost as a sustainable tool for greenhouse horticultural productivity: benefits, limitations, and state of the artAuthor(s): Lhaj, Majda Oueld; Moussadek, Rachid; Mouhir, Latifa; Sanad, Hatim; Zouahri, Abdelmjid; Spaccini, Riccardo; Paradiso, Roberta (Frontiers Media SA, 2026-06-10)Date: 2026-06-10Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessGreenhouse horticulture plays a vital role in modern agriculture, offering a controlled environment for the cultivation of high-value crops while mitigating the adverse effects of climate variability. However, its intensive nature requires sustainable soil management strategies to maintain productivity and long-term fertility. This review, conducted following a PRISMA-based systematic methodology and synthesizing peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, evaluates the role of compost as a sustainable soil amendment in greenhouse systems. Quantitative evidence indicates that compost application can enhance crop yield (up to 20–40%), improve soil health, and increase nutrient availability. In addition to these benefits, compost contributes to circular economy principles through organic waste valorization and reduced reliance on synthetic inputs. Nevertheless, limitations such as variability in composition, salinity risks, and nutrient imbalances are critically discussed, highlighting the need for optimized management strategies. Particular emphasis is placed on application rate, compost maturity, and incorporation methods to maximize agronomic benefits while minimizing environmental risks. Overall, compost represents a promising pathway for sustainable intensification in greenhouse horticulture, with strong global relevance for food security under climate change and resource constrained conditions.
- Starting points of agroecological transitions in Africa: Why and how farm structure matterAuthor(s): Girard, Pierre; Mercandalli, Sara; Berre, David; Andrieu, Nadine; Bezner Kerr, Rachel; Coe, Richard; Dedieu, Benoît; Madsen, Sidney; Scopel, Eric; Asnake, Woinishet; Mekuria, Wolde; Dembele, Catherine; Frija, Aymen; Haule, Yohana; Magaju, Christine; Kassahun Mengistu, Dejene; Orounladji, Boko Michel; Raharimalala, Sitrakiniana (Elsevier)Date: 2026-06-16Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessIn sub-Saharan Africa, dominant agricultural models such as the Green Revolution have shown limitations, and agroecology is emerging as an alternative. Yet, empirical evidence remains scarce on who adopts agroecological practices and on what types of farms. A widely accepted narrative suggests that smallholders are more rooted in agroecological systems, while larger, better-endowed farms follow “conventional” models. This paper challenges that dualistic view by providing evidence of a wider set of relationship between farm structure and the diversity of agroecological practices across multiple African contexts. For this purpose it informs the diversity of existing patterns of farms structure and starting points of agroecological transition (AET) – defined as current state of agroecological principles implemented by farms along their trajectories. By situating these starting points within the socio-technical context of national and regional AET, we gain valuable insights into which farm structures support different agroecological principles, how socio-technical regime influence these dynamics, and what policy options emerge to foster AET. Using harmonized data from 2721 farms across nine study areas in six African countries, the article shows that starting points of agroecological transitions are highly diverse and influenced by farm structure. Three patterns emerge: smallest farms mostly combine autonomy and income diversification while larger farms tend to combine conventional intensification with crop-livestock integration. Other small to medium scale farms are characterized by more land allocated to legume contributing to soil health. Future agricultural policies should consider this diversity of patterns in providing locally-relevant support to promote sustainable transitions.