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- Determining the best timing of insemination based on salivary fern pattern and its association with conception in buffaloAuthor(s): Pokharel, Aashirbad; Gautam, Gokarna; Shah, Shatrughan; Yadav, Kapil Dev; Rekik, Mourad; Pratim, Deka Ram; Padmakumar, Varijakshapanicker; Devkota, Bhuminand (Elsevier, 2025-09-01)Date: 2025-08-16Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessSalivary fern patterns (SFP) offer a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective alternative to conventional estrus detection methods, addressing challenges such as silent heat, inaccurate heat detection, and improper timing of artificial insemination (AI). This study evaluated the utility of SFP in determining best timing for AI and its association with conception in buffaloes. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, twelve cyclic buffaloes in follicular phase were treated with standard Ovsynch protocol and 168 saliva samples were systematically collected to establish reference SFP, its grades, and corresponding fractal dimension values across the luteal and follicular phases. In Experiment 2, 62 buffaloes in natural estrus were inseminated without hormonal treatment, with saliva samples collected prior to insemination for SFP analysis. The SFP were graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor based on microscopic observation and fractal dimension values. During Experiment 1, an excellent grade SFP with lower (P < 0.01) fractal dimension values was observed during late proestrus and early estrus. In about 15 h, the grading transitioned to a good grade corresponding to late estrus before declining to fair or poor grades in the luteal phase. In Experiment 2, buffaloes exhibiting a good grade SFP at insemination showed higher conception rates (P < 0.01) compared to other grades. These findings suggested a precision AI timing for improved conception in buffaloes at either 15 h after the appearance of an excellent grade SFP or when the SFP grade transitions to good, corresponding to late estrus. This approach may help enhance reproductive efficiency and address estrus detection challenges in buffaloes.
- Estimation of individual crossbreeding effects and growth curve analysis for growth traits of Dorper x local crossbred sheep in EthiopiaAuthor(s): Yeshaw, Shanbel; Abebe, Aschalew; Tesema, Zeleke; Bisrat, Asfaw; Goshme, Shenkute; Zewdie, Tesfaye; Yitagesu, Erdachew; Aydefruhm, Derib; Zewudie, Firdawok Ayele; Demis, Chekole; Aleminew, Enyew; Asfaw, Tadiwo; Wondiyfraw, Yeshitla; Eshete, Mesfin; Belayneh, Tesfa; Alemayehu, Liulseged; Gizaw, Solomon; Getachew, Tesfaye; Belay, Berhanu; Rekik, Mourad; Haile, Aynalem (Elsevier, 2025-09-01)Date: 2025-07-02Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessGrowth data collected from 2011 to 2024 at Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Center sheep breeding station in Ethiopia was used to estimate crossbreeding parameters and describe the growth pattern of Dorper × Menz crossbred sheep. To estimate crossbreeding parameters, the coefficient of breed additive, heterosis and recombination effects in the lamb were fitted as covariates in the analysis. Growth curve model parameters were estimated using Levenberg-Marquardt’s iterative algorithm through the nonlinear regression (NLIN) procedure in SAS. Menz sheep were consistently lighter and gained lower weight than Dorper and their crosses. Relative to the mean value of Menz sheep, the Dorper additive contribution to the BWT, WWT, SMWT, YWT, ADG1, ADG2 and ADG3 of lambs were 47.4, 49.7, 53.4, 63.9, 49.7, 36.9 and 1.16% higher, respectively. The heterosis effects were significantly negative (P<0.05) for BWT, WWT, SMWT and ADG1, but positive (P<0.01) for YWT, ADG2 and ADG3. The estimates of the recombination loss were positive in all traits except for ADG2. The Brody model provided the best fit of growth curve in all lamb genotypes, males, females, single and twin. The present study confirmed that the breed differences, heterosis and recombination effects are important genetic factors affecting growth performance in the Dorper × Menz crossbreeding programs. Moreover, improvement of growth curve parameters could be possible through selection program and intervention of improved management during weaning to six months of age. Therefore, developing an improved management and selection strategy to achieve the desired shape of growth would be very important.
- Gendered perceptions on spatiotemporal rainfall and temperature variability among pastoral and agropastoral communities of west Guji and Borana zones, southern EthiopiaAuthor(s): Gemede, Tariku; Mekuyie, Muluken; Tadesse, Menfesse; Tsige, Meseret (SPRINGER WIEN, 2025-09-30)Date: 2025-09-30Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessThe link between gender perceptions of climate variability and meteorological evidence was highly unnoticed in Ethiopia. This study analyzed gendered perceptions of spatiotemporal rainfall and temperature variability and trends in the west Guji and Borana zones of southern Ethiopia. Data were collected from 364 men- and women-headed households through survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze household survey data, which were compared with 35 years (1984–2018) of gridded rainfall and temperature data (4 × 4-km resolution) from the Ethiopian Meteorology Institute. Spatial-temporal climate variability was assessed using different indices, and trends were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator. The results revealed that both men- and women-headed differently perceived temperature, rainfall, and other climate variability indicators. Gender-specific perceptions were influenced by access to community affairs, cultural norms, extension services, farmland size, livestock holdings (TLU), education, and local climate knowledge. Annual rainfall variability was high Coefficient of Variation (CV) > 30%, with severe to extreme droughts confirmed by the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). The Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) exceeded 20% in lowland and midland areas, indicating strong irregular rainfall distribution. The highest change in annual rainfall was observed, 0.70, 0.27, and 0.19 mm/year in lowland, midland and highland, respectively at a significance level of 5%. Temperature trends showed a significant increase in minimum temperature, contributing to nighttime warming and frequent droughts. The findings concluded that the perceptions of climate change in the study area varied by gender, causing heavily burden on women. Intersecting gender-specific perceptions in climate policy design is a pathway for sustainable climate responses, including culturally appropriate climate change communication, given the repeated Borana and Guji climate crisis due to variability and change.
- Assessing climate and land use changes in Morocco (2001-2023): from a geospatial and farmers' perspectiveDate: 2025-07-11Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessThis study examines climate variability and land use dynamics in Morocco from 2001 to 2023 by integrating satellite-derived indicators with farmers’ reported climate risk perceptions. Using MODIS and ERA5-Land datasets within the Google Earth Engine platform, we analyzed trends in cropland extent, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), land surface temperature (LST), air temperature, and precipitation. Findings reveal cropland areas increased from 10% in 2001 to 13.5% in 2010, but declined to 10% by 2023, coinciding with a significant expansion of barren land. Slope analysis revealed moderate to extreme warming trends (LST slope up to + 0.0714 °C/year; air temperature slope > + 0.05 °C/year) and reductions in precipitation (down to − 59.34 mm/year), with over 60% of agricultural zones showing NDVI and NDWI decline and rainfall variability exceeding 100% in the coefficient of variation (CV). It contrasts with the georeferenced household survey of 3,350 farmers, where the farmers’ opinion highlights droughts and heatwaves as the predominant climate risks. Moreover, the survey reported adaptation strategies, which include the adoption of drought-resistant varieties, improved irrigation practices, and altered sowing dates. Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) revealed spatial correspondence between perceived risks and environmental trends. These findings underscore the need for targeted, climate-smart interventions and ecosystem-based practices to strengthen agricultural resilience in Morocco’s most vulnerable regions.
- Genetic dissection and genomic prediction of drought indices in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypesAuthor(s): Zakaria, EL Gataa; Alemu, Admas; El-Hanafi, Samira; Kehel, Zakaria; Rachdad, Fatima Ezzahra; Tadesse, Wuletaw (Elsevier, 2025-02-01)Date: 2024-10-16Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessDrought constitutes the main obstacle to agricultural productivity in the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, notably leading to substantial reduction in wheat yields due to terminal water stress. The adoption of drought-resistant wheat varieties appears to be a vital strategy to maintain wheat production in the face of climatic challenges. In this context, a study was conducted utilizing a set of 198 elite bread wheat genotypes developed at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). This set of elite genotypes was evaluated at the Sidi Al-Aidi station in Morocco over two years (2021–2022), under rain-fed and irrigated conditions. Phenotypic assessments for grain yield and drought indices were performed, alongside genotyping the population using 15k SNP markers. These preparatory steps facilitated a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic prediction, leveraging the Mixed Linear Model (MLM) to pinpoint marker-trait associations (MTAs) and candidate genes pertinent to grain yield and drought indices. The results manifested substantial variations in both grain yield and drought indices among the genotypes tested. Grain yield performance ranged from 0.34 to 2.57 t/ha under rain-fed conditions and 1.12 to 4.57 t/ha under irrigated scenarios. The comprehensive analysis identified 39 significant MTAs (p < 0.001) and 14 putative genes associated with drought indices and grain yield. Noteworthy is the marker “wsnp_Ex_c12127_19394952” on chromosome 5B, which displayed a significant correlation with grain yield in rain-fed environments. Furthermore, the most prominent marker linked to tolerance index (TOL) was “BobWhite_c42349_99”, situated on chromosome 5A and associated with the TraesCS5A02G498000 gene. This gene plays a critical role, encoding for catalase protein crucial for response to hydrogen peroxide. These markers could be used for marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding programs targeting drought tolerance.