Agricultural Research Knowledge
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/187
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- Spermidine alleviates drought-induced wheat floret degeneration by mitigating oxidative damage and maintaining energy homeostasisAuthor(s): Li-Juan, L; Li, Gege; Li, Zhiyuan; Li, Jiayu; Xiao, Jianke; Nangia, Vinay; Liu, Yang (KeAi, 2024-12-25)Date: 2024-12-25Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessDrought stress at the booting stage causes severe floret degeneration and a decrease in grain number. Polyamines are involved in wheat floret development under drought stress, but the underlying physiological mechanisms are unclear. This study showed that drought-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species led to wheat spikelet cell apoptosis and floret degeneration. Drought induced stomatal closure to reduce photosynthesis, then inhibited the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase, sucrose synthetase (cleavage direction) and ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase in spikes and leaves, and soluble vacuolar invertase and cell wall invertase in spikes, thus providing a poor nutrient base for floret development. Exogenous spermidine application increased antioxidant enzyme activities and polyamine metabolism, promoted starch and sucrose metabolism, amino acid utilization and increased the levels of glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates to mitigate oxidative damage and maintain energy homeostasis in the spike, thereby reducing floret degeneration and increasing grain number.
- Biochar induced trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services and crop productivityAuthor(s): Wang, Jinxia; Huang, Qiu; Peng, Kai; Yang, Dayang; Wei, Guozhen; Ren, Yunfei; Wang, Yixuan; Wang, Xiu‐Kang; Nangia, Vinay; Sun, Shikun; Yang, Yanming; Mo, Fei (Published by Elsevier B.V., 2024-11-01)Date: 2024-10-17Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessBiochar amendment offers a chance for sustainable agriculture. However, the effectiveness of biochar relies on its physical and chemical properties, which are heavily affected by biochar production conditions and management practices. Therefore, substantial uncertainties regarding the use of biochar exist in agricultural systems globally. This study provides the first quantitative evaluation of the impacts of biochar characteristics and management practices on key ecosystem services by performing a second-order meta-analysis based on 34,628 paired observations in biochar-amended and unamended systems. Overall, biochar enhances phytotoxicity alleviation, physiology regulation, soil remediation and carbon sequestration, and microbial functional gene abundance. However, some prominent trade-offs exist between crop productivity and ecosystem service deliveries including for nutrient cycling, microbial function, climate change mitigation, and the soil microbial community. The adoption of low C:N biochar produced at high pyrolysis temperatures from sewage sludge-derived feedstock, in combination with a moderate application rate and inorganic fertilizer input, shows potential for achieving synergistic promotion of crop productivity and ecosystem services. These outcomes highlight the need for judicious implementation of biochar-based solutions to site-specific soil constraints. The quantified synergy and tradeoff relationships will aid the establishment of a sustainable biochar development framework that strengthens necessary ecosystem services commensurate with food security assurance.
- Making use of synergies from integrated land-climate-biodiversity action pays offAuthor(s): Mirzabaev, Alisher; Bisom, Nina; Akramkhanov, Akmal; Ingabire, Chantal (DLG-Verlag GmbH Frankfurt, 2024-12-11)Date: 2024-12-11Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessCollaboration between the Rio Conventions and coordinated action both at international and national level could offer considerable benefits. Drawing on their research in Rwanda and Central Asia, our authors demonstrate the economic potential integrated approaches hold especially for land restoration.
- Интегрированные действия по земле-биоразнообразию-климату: использование синергии посредством восстановления экосистем в УзбекистанеAuthor(s): Mirzabaev, Alisher; Akramkhanov, Akmal (Economics of Land Degradation Initiative (ELD), 2025-02-28)Date: 2025-07-04Type: Other (Case study)Status: Open accessДанное исследование по Узбекистану описывает методологические шаги, оценку затрат и выгод, потребности в институциональной координации и соответствие национальных стратегий целям Рио-конвенций.
- Интегрированные действия по земле-биоразнообразию-климату: использование синергии посредством восстановления экосистем в Центральной АзииAuthor(s): Mirzabaev, Alisher; Akramkhanov, Akmal (Economics of Land Degradation Initiative (ELD), 2025-02-28)Date: 2025-07-07Type: Other (Case Study)Status: Open accessЭто тематическое исследование по Центральной Азии, в котором представлен всесторонний анализ моделей деградации, инвестиционных потребностей и механизмов управления в пяти странах Центральной Азии. Исследование показывает, что скоординированное восстановление земель может сократить затраты на реализацию до 6,2 миллиарда долларов США. В качестве политических рекомендаций предлагаются гармонизация систем мониторинга, отчетности и верификации (MRV), организация регионального обмена опытом и мобилизация частного сектора
- Minerals and heavy metals profiling of Moroccan saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A comparative study across diverse agro-ecological areasAuthor(s): Ibourki, Mohamed; Hallouch, Otmane; Nid Ahmed, Moussa; Sabraoui, Talal; Devkota, Krishna; Sakar, El Hassan; Jadouali, Simohamed; Bouyahya, Abdelhakim; Santanatoglia, Agnese; Caprioli, Giovanni; Majourhat, Khalid; Gharby, Said (Elservier, 2024-11-01)Date: 2024-08-13Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessWith growing consumer concern regarding food quality and composition. This study was performed to analyze the content of major inorganic nutrients, trace elements, potentially toxic elements and ash content in 48 saffron samples. These were collected from four distinct Moroccan regions: “Taliouine, Taznakht, Azilal, and Beni Mellal”. The analysis was done in accordance with the guidelines set by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (AOAC). The findings of this study reveal that essential nutrient elements such as magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sodium were present in important amounts. The average content of these macro-elements was found in the following order: K > P > Mg > Ca > Na, with mean concentrations of 16500±1119 mg/kg, 3290±220 mg/kg, 1430±97 mg/kg, 960±65 mg/kg, and 75±5 mg/kg, respectively. Significant differences among sampling sites as revealed by ANOVA and principal component analysis in selected samples. Furthermore, the levels of potentially harmful elements, including nickel, arsenic, lead, and cadmium, were found below the harmful limits. These results provide valuable scientific information that supports the optimal utilization of saffron, enriching the medicinal plant database. This research sheds light on the compositional, nutritional, and safety aspects of saffron, laying the groundwork for future research in this field.
- Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria mitigate drought and salinity stresses, and improve the physiological and agronomic performances in crops: A systematic reviewAuthor(s): Kibret, Mulugeta; Devkota, Krishna; Ben Bakrim, Widad; Ezzariai, Amine; Terefe, Habtamu; Karouach, Fadoua; Sobeh, Mansour; Hafidi, Abdellatif; Kouisni, Lamfeddal (CAB International)Date: 2024-07-04Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessDrought and salinity are environmental factors that negatively impact crop productivity in arid and semi-arid climates. Plant growth promoting rhizobia (PGPR) can help mitigate the harmful effects of drought and salinity on plant growth and productivity. This systematic review aims to summarize studies on PGPR and their mechanisms for reducing the impacts of drought and salinity, as well as to explore the effects of PGPR on different crops to improve agronomic indicators focusing on recent findings. Search was performed on PubMed, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar for papers published from 2013 to 2022. A total of 174 papers were analyzed in this review. The results showed that the PGPRs were found to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes and stimulate plant growth under adverse conditions. The PGPRs also reduced electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde contents, while increasing exopolysaccharide, chlorophyll, and relative water contents, for mitigating both drought and salinity stresses. PGPR strains are effective in increasing root and shoot length, root and shoot dry weight, leaf area, and leaf content. Most of the studies regarding the applications of PGPRs to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in crops were conducted under laboratory and/or greenhouse conditions, with Asia having the highest number of publications on cereals. This review shows the potential for PGPR to manage soil salinity and drought across diverse crops and ecologies. Studies on the roles of PGPRs for crop production at the field level to achieve large-scale adoption with agronomic and economic improvements are recommended.
- Exploring the Bioactive Potential of Argan Oil Cake: A Comprehensive Physicochemical Comparison with various Seeds CakesAuthor(s): Hallouch, Otmane; Ibourki, Mohamed; ASBBANE, ABDERRAHIM ASBBANE; Devkota, Krishna; Mastrangelo, Anna Maria; Majourhat, Khalid; Gharby, Said (Enviro Research Publishers)Date: 2025-01-10Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessThe argan oil industry generates a large quantity of argan oil cake. This residue is traditionally used as livestock feed. In order to explore other potential uses for this by-product, a full physico-chemical characterisation was carried out. The analysis includes mineral profiling, protein content, fiber content, fatty acid composition, sterol content, total polyphenol and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity, in comparison with other cakes, namely almond, sesame, nigella, sunflower and soybean cakes. The results indicate that potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na) are the main mineral elements in the argan oilcake. In terms of protein content, argan oilcake contained the highest content at 45.90 ± 0.10 g/100 g dry weight. The residual oil content was around 12.61 ± 0.80 g/100 g. Oil from argan press cake has high levels of oleic and linoleic acid (47.88 ± 0.20 and 32.10 ± 0.15 %) respectively. In terms of sterol composition, argan cake is the only one to contain Schotenol, Spenasterol and Stigma-8-22-dien-3b-ol. Argan oil cake showed remarkable values for total phenolic compounds (5.11± 0.01 mg GAE/g) and DPPH antioxidant activity (8.06 ± 0.08 mg AAE/g). The results suggest that argan cake could be considered a rich source of nutrients and that its extracts have substantial value-added potential, warranting attention in future research and development.
- Optimizing split-fertilizer applications for enhanced maize yield and nutrient use efficiency in Nigeria’s Middle-beltAuthor(s): Ojeniyi, Kehinde; Chirinda, Ngonidzashe; Devkota, Krishna; Madukwe, Donald Madukwe (Elsevier (12 months), 2024-10-15)Date: 2024-09-14Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessInadequate and imbalanced fertilizer application is a significant barrier to achieving higher maize yields in Nigeria's Middle Belt. This study hypothesized that optimizing fertilizer types and application rates, particularly through split applications of straight fertilizers, can significantly enhance maize yield and nutrient use efficiency compared to conventional NPK blends and farmer's practices. This experiment evaluated the effects of optimizing types and amounts of fertilizer on maize growth and yield, soil characteristics, and nutrient use efficiencies in the mid-belt region of Nigeria. A field experiment was conducted at two locations using a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included national and regional fertilizer recommendations, applied as NPK blends and straight fertilizers, along with a farmer's practice and control. Soil samples were collected before and after the experiment, and data on yield, yield attributes, grain, and leaf samples, were collected for analysis. The results showed that split applications of straight fertilizers increased grain yield by 22 %–46 %, achieving yields ranging from 2.37 to 3.08 t ha−1, compared to yields from NPK blends. Nitrogen uptake efficiency improved by up to 52 %, while potassium uptake exceeded 100 % in certain treatments. Despite higher input costs, split applications yielded gross margins up to 35 % greater than those obtained with NPK blends, underscoring their economic viability. Split application of regional recommendation of 119:38:20 kg ha−1 of N, P, and K from straight fertilizer shows higher yields and better nutrient efficiency than NPK blends, proving effective for optimum maize production in the region. No significant changes in soil physio-chemical properties, suggesting that long-term studies are needed to fully understand the impact of fertilizer practices on soil health. These findings strongly support the adoption of site-specific nutrient management strategies, particularly the use of straight fertilizers in split applications, to maximize maize production in Nigeria's Middle-Belt.
- Transforming soil quality index predictions in the Nile River Basin using hybrid stacking machine learning techniquesDate: 2025-05-31Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Timeless limited accessThis study highlights the importance of sustainable land management in preserving soil health and agricultural productivity, particularly in mitigating land degradation. Soil Quality Index (SQI) was assessed in Egypt’s Nile River Basin using 266 surface samples (0–30 cm depth) collected between 2021 and 2022. Eleven key soil quality indicators such as bulk density (BD), sand, silt, clay, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), calcium (Ca), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were analyzed to estimate the observed SQI (SQIobs) using a PCA-based scoring method and geostatistical techniques. The SQIobs were validated against in-situ wheat yield. Various hybrid stacking ensemble (SE) machine learning models including Random Forest (SE-RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (SE-XGB), Gradient Boosting Machine (SE-GBM), Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (SE-MARS), Support Vector Machine (SE-SVM), and SE-Cubist was applied to predict soil quality (SQIpred) in data-scarce regions. The SE-RF and SE-Cubist models demonstrated the highest predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.830 and 0.824, respectively). Results showed that “very high” and “very low” SQI classes covered 24.25 % and 14.70 % of the study area, respectively. Future projections using CMIP6 models indicate a decline in SQI, from 24.25 % to 19.15 % (SSP2-4.5) and 10.85 % (SSP5-8.5) between 1990 and 2030. SHAP analysis identified BD, clay, sand, OC, and N as key drivers of SQIobs, while SM, Tmax, FC, ST, and NDVI significantly influenced SQIpred. This study provides a robust framework for assessing soil quality, offering valuable insights for land use planning, sustainable agriculture, and combating soil degradation.
- Ўзбекистондаги қум ва чанг бўронлари: таъсирини англаш ва унинг оқибатларини юмшатиш учун атмосферани моделлаштиришAuthor(s): Akramkhanov, Akmal; Haddad, Mira; Patlakas, Platon; Umarov, Sherzod; Nurbekov, Aziz; Yazici, Ekrem (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2024-11-30)Date: 2024-11-30Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessУшбу ҳисобот Ўзбекистонда қум ва чанг бўронлари (ҚЧБ) келтириб чиқарадиган муаммоларни ўрганади ва атмосферани моделлаштириш ёндашувидан фойда ланган ҳолда уларни юмшатиш стратегияларини кўриб чиқади
- Sand and Dust Storms in Uzbekistan: Atmospheric Modeling for Understanding Impacts and MitigationAuthor(s): Akramkhanov, Akmal; Haddad, Mira; Patlakas, Platon; Umarov, Sherzod; Nurbekov, Aziz; Yazici, Ekrem (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2024-11-30)Date: 2024-11-30Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThis report investigates the challenges posed by sand and dust storms (SDS) in Uzbekistan and explores mitigation strategies using an atmospheric modeling approach.
- Student helps win the fight against the Red Palm WeevilAuthor(s): (ICARDA), International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (The International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas, 2013-05-29)Date: 2013-05-29Type: BlogStatus: Open accessThe Red Palm Weevil is the most important pest that attacks date palms.Fungi, which formpart of an integrated pest management program, are the best crop protection tools to control them.
- Political Economy of the Wheat Sector in Egypt: Seed Systems, Varietal Adoption, and ImpactsAuthor(s): Bishaw, Zewdie; Yigezu, Yigezu; Azab Moustafa, Moustafa (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2025-06-18)Date: 2025-06-18Type: BookStatus: Open accessWheat has been an important food staple in Egypt from time immemorial and remains one of the most (if not the single most) important food security crops in the country. Currently, wheat provides one-third (35 percent) of the typical Egyptian’s total daily calorie intake. On average, the crop represents about 10 percent of the total value of agricultural production and about 20 percent of all agricultural imports, which depicts the country’s insurmountable food security challenge. Over the last six decades, the wheat sector in Egypt has exhibited an increasing trend from 0.58 million ha with a productivity of 2.5 tons ha-1 and production of 1.44 million tons in 1961 to a high of 1.39 million ha, a productivity of 6.9 tons ha-1, and total production of 9.84 million tons in 2021. Despite these significant achievements, Egypt remains number one globally in terms of the volume and value of its wheat imports. The main drivers of the country’s increasing wheat dependency are rapid population growth, increased per-capita consumption, and other alternative uses of wheat. Cognizant of these facts, over the years, debate on Egyptian agrifood systems revolved around ‘wheat self-sufficiency’. Anchored on three major pillars, several strategies have been developed for reducing dependency on imports of wheat: (i) expansion of area under wheat production; (ii) increased productivity per unit area through the generation and dissemination of new wheat varieties and associated technologies and innovations; and iii) reduction of demand for wheat by encouraging dietary diversification and replacing wheat with alternative grains in bread production. The Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy Towards 2030 aspired to attain a wheat self-sufficiency level of 80.8 percent (i.e., wheat production of 15.1 million tons) by increasing wheat area to 1.76 million ha and productivity to 8.57 tons ha-1. Wheat self-sufficiency is expected to continue being the driving force shaping the future of wheat in Egypt. Against the backdrop of limited natural resources and climate change, it is imperative for the country to also explore alternative options to achieving self-sufficiency in wheat.
- Third report on good practicesAuthor(s): Folloni, Silvia; Mazzoli, IlariaDate: 2025-06-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThis report adds some more information coming from the monitoring of good practices during the MountainHER's project development.
- Report on Task 6.1 Second wave surveyAuthor(s): Mazzoli, IlariaDate: 2025-06-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThis report offers some detailed data deriving from the second wave survey in Task 6.1.
- Synthesis of the results on consumers' appreciation coming from Task 6.1 surveysAuthor(s): Mazzoli, IlariaDate: 2025-06-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThis report offers synthetic information on product positioning, communication and pricing.
- Linking weather and climate information services (WCIS) to Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practicesAuthor(s): Mabhaudi, Tafadzwanashe; Dirwai, Tinashe; Taguta, Cuthbert; Senzanje, Aidan; Abera, Wuletawu; Govind, Ajit; Dossou-Yovo, Elliott Ronald; Aynekulu, Ermias; Chimonyo, Vimbayi Grace Petrova (Elsevier (12 months), 2025-01-01)Date: 2024-12-09Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessThis study synthesises existing knowledge on the linkages between Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) and Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices. Specifically, it addresses the following questions: (1) What is the current status of knowledge on WCIS and CSA in the global south, specifically the African continent?, (2) Are WCIS effectively tailored and linked to CSA practices and technologies to improve agricultural water management (AWM) amongst smallholder farmers?, and (3) How can linking WCIS and CSA facilitate the identification, appraisal and prioritization of regionally differentiated and context-specific climateappropriate technologies and policies that enhance agricultural water management at various levels (field, farm, scheme, and catchment)? Methods: The study used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis Protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines. It involved the search of the Scopus and Web of Science databases for peer-reviewed articles, books, and grey literature focussed on the global south. Results: The results revealed that seasonal forecasts were the main WCIS available to farmers who utilised them to plan predominantly for irrigation and water harvesting activities. Daily forecasts were linked to practices such as irrigation. The study also revealed that temperature and rainfall (amount and distribution) were predominantly disseminated to farmers through extension services. The dominant CSA practices used by farmers were carbonsmart (e.g., composting), water-smart practices (improved varieties, irrigation, RWH), weather-smart practices (IPM & crop insurance), and nitrogen-smart practices (organic fertiliser, crop diversification). Advisories on carbon-smart practices generally aligned closely with the start and end of rainfall information, while the watersmart practices were corroborated with the rainfall onset, end of rainfall season, and rainfall intensity. Weather smart practices were strongly linked to drought, temperature, and rainfall distribution, whereas nitrogen smart practices were linked with the end of rainfall and temperature. Conclusions: The study concluded that distinct linkages exist between WCIS and various CSA categories. The study argues that increasing access to WCIS can facilitate the adoption and scaling of CSA practices.
- SOILS4MED DELIVERABLE 9.1 - SUMMARY FOR DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION: Dissemination and Communication PlanAuthor(s): Graziano, Valerio; Zucca, Claudio; Zdruli, Pandi; Le, Quang Bao (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), 2025-06-18)Date: 2025-06-18Type: BriefStatus: Open accessTask 9.1 “Broader dissemination, Knowledge Management, and WEB site” focuses on efficiently organizing and sharing project information through a dedicated sub-website within the CGIAR Monitoring, Evaluating & Learning (MEL) (https://mel.cgiar.org/) platform. It also aims to broaden dissemination through popular news in social and mass media (Facebook, X, and LinkedIn), professional presentations/talks at relevant conferences/workshops and meetings, and peer-reviewed articles, all while fostering collaboration among partners and stakeholders (SHs). These activities are done in line with the Dissemination & Communication Plan (Deliverable 9.1).
- SOILS4MED DELIVERABLES 5.1 AND 5.2 - SUMMARY FOR DISSEMINATION AND COMMUNICATION: Soil Information Systems (SIS) design and Deployment of the first SIS prototypeAuthor(s): Demontis, Roberto; Lorrai, Eva; Muscas, Laura; Palla, Piergiorgio (Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), 2025-06-10)Date: 2025-06-10Type: BriefStatus: Open accessThese deliverables aim to describe the design of the Harmonized Soil Information Systems (SIS) tool and its first prototype. The SIS has been designed in order to: ❖ enable in-country management and protection of country owned soil data and information (SDI); ❖ grant data access to users and third parties according to the access policy; ❖ secure open access to selected project-generated data; ❖ provide a WEB-GIS workspace with harmonized data and map visualization rules to users; ❖ have an access policy for the public; ❖ enable interlinking and data sharing among countries and towards third parties through common Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).