Complexity, Trade-off, Uncertainty and Adaptation

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/12

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    Development of Lentil Cultivar with High Concentration of Iron and Zinc Final Technical Report
    Author(s): Sarker, Ashutosh
    Date: 2020-01-16
    Status: Timeless limited access
    Fe and Zn analysis of new genetic materials will be carried out (approx. 200 accessions) New crosses will be commissioned between High and High content parents for both Fe and Zn. Primary, intermediate products will be progressed through generation advancement and final products will enter into observation nurseries and yield trials. Yield trials of newly developed materials. Promising lines developed by NARS partners will enter into Preliminary and multilocation Trial. Elite lines developed at ICARDA will enter into International nursery (LIENMN-20). Inheritance of Fe and Zn synthesis to be understood through molecular approach, and the information will be used by breeders to enhance breeding efficiency. Recombinant Inbred Lines (RILs) are in the process of development for inheritance and marker study. MS/PhD scholars will continue higher studies along with thesis research Review and Planning meeting will be organized with NARS partners
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    Best Choices for Enhancing Groundnut Productivity in Nigeria
    Author(s): Ajeigbe, Hakeem (ICRISAT)
    Date: 2019-08-05
    Status: Timeless limited access
    Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea), also known as Peanut, is an annual crop commonly grown by smallholder fanners. The name Groundnut can be confusing as the plant is not typically a nut. The plant itself grows above the ground while the nuts (pods) develop and mature underground. It originated from Central America, and its cultivation spread to the rest of the world as an oil-seed crop. In Nigeria, pyramid-like structures made of groundnut sacks were common features in several locations up to the 1970s. These locations included Kofar, Mazugal, Brigade, Bebeji, Malam Madori and Dawakin Kudu. The pyramid structures constituted tourist attractions in Northern Nigeria and symbol of the wealth of the country. These structures gradually disappeared when attention was shifted away from agriculture to crude oil after the 1970s. Recurrent rosette virus outbreaks of 1975,1983,1985 and 1988 also discouraged farmers from groundnut production...
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    Representation of decision-making in European agricultural agent-based models
    Date: 2018-09-30
    Status: Limited access
    The use of agent-based modelling approaches in ex-post and ex-ante evaluations of agricultural policies has been progressively increasing over the last few years. There are now a sufficient number of models that it is worth taking stock of the way these models have been developed. Here, we review 20 agricultural agent-based models (ABM) addressing heterogeneous decision-making processes in the context of European agriculture. The goals of this review were to i) develop a framework describing aspects of farmers' decision-making that are relevant from a farm-systems perspective, ii) reveal the current state-of-the-art in representing farmers' decision-making in the European agricultural sector, and iii) provide a critical reflection of underdeveloped research areas and on future opportunities in modelling decision-making. To compare different approaches in modelling farmers' behaviour, we focused on the European agricultural sector, which presents a specific character with its family farms, its single market and the common agricultural policy (CAP). We identified several key properties of farmers' decision-making: the multi-output nature of production; the importance of non-agricultural activities; heterogeneous household and family characteristics; and the need for concurrent short- and long-term decision-making. These properties were then used to define levels and types of decision-making mechanisms to structure a literature review. We find most models are sophisticated in the representation of farm exit and entry decisions, as well as the representation of long-term decisions and the consideration of farming styles or types using farm typologies. Considerably fewer attempts to model farmers' emotions, values, learning, risk and uncertainty or social interactions occur in the different case studies. We conclude that there is considerable scope to improve diversity in representation of decision-making and the integration of social interactions in agricultural agent-based modelling approaches by combining existing modelling approaches and promoting model inter-comparisons. Thus, this review provides a valuable entry point for agent-based modellers, agricultural systems modellers and data driven social scientists for the re-use and sharing of model components, code and data. An intensified dialogue could fertilize more coordinated and purposeful combinations and comparisons of ABM and other modelling approaches as well as better reconciliation of empirical data and theoretical foundations, which ultimately are key to developing improved models of agricultural systems.
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    Role of climate change awareness in sustainable soil nutrient management by smallholder farms in Burkina Faso
    Date: 2018-02-08
    Status: Open access
    Climate change effects are threats to the livelihood of Sub-Saharan smallholder farms. Farmers’ response and readiness to take adaptive measures depend on how they perceive (perception) and moreover understand and recognize the causes (awareness) of climate change. Most studies used interchangeably perception and awareness to climate change. Taking the example of soil nutrient management, this study demonstrated the importance of distinguishing awareness from perception in climate change adaptation studies and for policy design. The study was conducted in South-western Burkina Faso. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, 360 households were surveyed. Rainfall variation and onset of the cropping season were used as climate change evidences to assess climate change perception and awareness. Descriptive statistics and Z-test were run. Results showed that beyond climate change perception, farmers largely took adaptive measures when they understand and can explain causes of climate change. Therefore, climate change adaptation studies and policy interventions should distinguish awareness from perception, and policy design should stress on raising climate change awareness of smallholder farmers.
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    (استمارة وضع أولويات البحوث الزراعية لمنطقة وسط وغربي أسيا وشمال أفريقيا (سوانا
    Author(s): Solh, Mahmoud; Mazid, Ahmed (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2001-05-27)
    Date: 2001-05-27
    Type: Template
    Status: Open access
    Questionnaire in Arabic prepared for Setting Agriculture Research Priorities survey under Setting Agricultural Research priorities for CWANA project
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    Agricultural Research Priority Setting Questionnaire for the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) Region
    Author(s): Solh, Mahmoud; Mazid, Ahmed (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2001-05-23)
    Date: 2001-05-23
    Type: Template
    Status: Open access
    Questionnaire prepared for setting agricultural research priorities for CWANA project.
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    Profitability Analysis of Zero Tillage among Smallholder Farm Households in the Karak Region of Jordan
    Author(s): Akroush, Samia; Yigezu, Yigezu; Hadi, Omar Abed (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2015-12-01)
    Date: 2015-12-01
    Status: Open access
    There is rich literature on the biophysical benefits of zero tillage (ZT) while that on its economic benefits, especially in the context of small and medium-scale farmers, is scanty. Using a combination of Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Endogenous Switching Regression (ESR) models and a case study from a large project which promoted a number of technologies including zero tillage in the Karak region of Jordan, this study attempts to provide evidence on the profitability of ZT.
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    Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology adoption in Egypt -Survey template
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Type: Template
    Status: Limited access
    Survey template for "Farmers and Machinery Provides' Perceptions Regarding Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology in Egypt"
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    Data Analysis - Asiut men not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - Asiut men not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Data Analysis - Asiut men adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - Asiut men adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology.
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    Data Analysis - Asiut Women not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - Asiut Women not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Data Analysis - Asiut Women adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - Asiut Women adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Data Analysis - Sharqia men adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - Sharqia men adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Data Analysis - Sharqia men not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - Sharqia men not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Data Analysis - asiut and Sharqia men not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - asiut and Sharqia men not adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Data Analysis - asiut and Sharqia men adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
    Author(s): Dhehibi, Boubaker
    Date: 2017-12-01
    Status: Limited access
    Data Analysis - asiut and Sharqia men adopting Mechanized Raised Bed (MRB) Technology
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    Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of the Parasitic Plants Orobanche Foetida and Orobanche Crenata Collected on Faba Bean in Tunisia
    Author(s): Abbes, Zouhaier; Amri, Moez; Kharrat, Mohamed; El Abed, Nariman; Ahmed, Sami (ELEWA BIOSCIENCES, F.a.C.T.LTD)
    Date: 2014-01-01
    Status: Open access
    The antioxidant activity of the methanolic and aqueous extracts of two parasitic plants Orobanche crenata and Orobanche foetida collected from faba bean fields was investigated with 2 complementary test systems, DPPH (2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ) radical scavenging activities. The O. crenata methanol extract showed the highest level of DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities, with IC50 values of 2.76 µg/ml and 7.96 µg/ml respectively. The amount of total polyphenol and tannins varied in the different plant extracts and ranged from 3.02 to 19.99 mg GAE/g DW for polyphenol contents and from 0.09 to 0.32 mg EC/g DW for tannins contents. Antimicrobial activity was investigated with the disc diffusion method. The methanol extract of O. foetida showed activity against all tested bacterial strains, except S. aureus ATCC 6538, by forming clear inhibition zones with diameters between 12 and 30 mm whereas methanol extracts of O. crenata inhibits only L. monocytogenes and S. enteredis ATCC 502 with an inhibition zone of 10 and 25 mm respectively. Aqueous extracts of the two Orobanche species were not active against any of these bacterial isolates. These results implied that these two Orobanche species collected from infested faba bean fields might be potential resources of antioxidant and antibacterial activities and can be used in human nutrition and some industrial and pharmaceutical products.
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    Combining Ascochyta blight resistance and high yield in lentil cultivars
    Date: 2013-01-31
    Status: Open access
    Ascochyta blight (AB), caused by Ascochyta lentis Bond and Vassil, is a major disease of lentil (Lens culinaris L. Medik.) causing 30–70% yield losses in Canada, USA, and Australia and northern parts of India. The aim of the present study was to combine AB resistance with high yielding potential. The F3 and F4 populations from crosses involving AB resistant donors with ICARDA elite breeding lines, were advanced at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India, respectively during main and off-seasons. The single plant F5 progenies were exposed to AB infections under  eld conditions during 2006–2007 using disease rating scale of 1-9. Thirty two promising lines, bulked in F7 generation, were evaluated for seed yield in multi-location trials (2009–2010 and 2010–2011) and for their reactions to AB under arti cial inoculations along with susceptible check, LL147 (8 score). Six elite lines namely LL1187 (1.70 t ha-1), LL1210 (1.75 t ha-1), LL1197 (1.76 t ha-1), LL1186 (1.76 t ha-1), LL1201 (1.80 t ha-1) and LL1205 (1.80 t ha-1) recorded 9.6–16.1% yield advantage over the best check variety LL931 (1.55 t ha-1). The level of resistance (≤ 4 score) of these lines to AB was also higher compared to check variety LL931 (5 score). Inheritance of AB resistance is simple and controlled by major genes; hence it is easy to incorporate stable resistance in high yielding background by selecting parents carefully for hybridization program.
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    Cloning, Expression, Sequence Analysis and Homology Modeling of the Prolyl Endoprotease from Eurygaster integriceps Puton
    Date: 2014-10-22
    Status: Open access
    Eurygaster integriceps Puton, commonly known as sunn pest, is a major pest of wheat in Northern Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. This insect injects a prolyl endoprotease into the wheat, destroying the gluten. The purpose of this study was to clone the full length cDNA of the sunn pest prolyl endoprotease (spPEP) for expression in E. coli and to compare the amino acid sequence of the enzyme to other known PEPs in both phylogeny and potential tertiary structure. Sequence analysis shows that the 5ꞌ UTR contains several putative transcription factor binding sites for transcription factors known to be expressed in Drosophila that might be useful targets for inhibition of the enzyme. The spPEP was first identified as a prolyl endoprotease by Darkoh et al., 2010. The enzyme is a unique serine protease of the S9A family by way of its substrate recognition of the gluten proteins, which are greater than 30 kD in size. At 51% maximum identity to known PEPs, homology modeling using SWISS-MODEL, the porcine brain PEP (PDB: 2XWD) was selected in the database of known PEP structures, resulting in a predicted tertiary structure 99% identical to the porcine brain PEP structure. A Km for the recombinant spPEP was determined to be 210 ± 53 µM for the zGly-Pro-pNA substrate in 0.025 M ethanolamine, pH 8.5, containing 0.1 M NaCl at 37 °C with a turnover rate of 172 ± 47 µM Gly-Pro-pNA/s/µM of enzyme.
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    Development of EST-SSR markers and construction of a linkage map in faba bean (Vicia faba)
    Date: 2014-06-24
    Status: Open access
    To develop a high density linkage map in faba bean, a total of 1,363 FBES (Faba bean expressed sequence tag [EST]­derived simple sequence repeat [SSR]) markers were designed based on 5,090 non-redundant ESTs developed in this study. A total of 109 plants of a ‘Nubaria 2’ × ‘Misr 3’ F2 mapping population were used for map construction. Because the parents were not pure homozygous lines, the 109 F2 plants were divided into three subpopulations according to the original F1 plants. Linkage groups (LGs) generated in each subpopulation were integrated by commonly mapped markers. The integrated ‘Nubaria 2’ × ‘Misr 3’ map consisted of six LGs, representing a total length of 684.7 cM, with 552 loci. Of the mapped loci, 47% were generated from multi-loci diagnostic (MLD) markers. Alignment of homologous sequence pairs along each linkage group revealed obvious syntenic relationships between LGs in faba bean and the genomes of two model legumes, Lotus japonicus and Medicago truncatula. In a polymorphic analysis with ten Egyptian faba bean varieties, 78.9% (384/487) of the FBES markers showed polymorphisms. Along with the EST-SSR markers, the dense map developed in this study is expected to accelerate marker assisted breeding in faba bean.