Agricultural Research Knowledge
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/187
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- Jasmonic acid negatively regulates wheat grain filling by affecting assimilate transport and starch biosynthesisAuthor(s): Luo, Jian; Liu, Jianli; Li, Yakun; Gao, Lichuang; Zhao, Yue; Nangia, Vinay; Zhang, Guoping; Liu, Yang (Crop Science Society of China and Institute of Crop Science, CAAS, 2025-01-20)Date: 2026-01-20Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessGrain filling is a pivotal determinant of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield, relying on the efficient coordination of source–sink dynamics and assimilate partitioning. Jasmonic acid (JA) is widely involved in plant growth and development, and also plays an important role in resource allocation. However, it remains unclear if JA is involved in regulation of grain filling and assimilate transport in wheat. The objective of this study was to identify the roles of JA in regulating wheat grain filling and weight, by comparing cultivars, comparing superior and inferior grains of the same spikes, manipulating source–sink relationship by removing superior grains, and applying exogenous JA. The results showed the negative association between endogenous JA level and grain filling rate and final grain weight, irrespective of cultivars and source-sink treatments. JA increased assimilate retention in stems by reducing fructan mobilization and diminishing sucrose availability for grain development. In addition, JA suppressed sucrose unloading by reducing invertase (CWI and SAI) activities, and inhibited starch biosynthesis through reducing starch synthase (AGPase, GBSS and SBE) activities. These coordinated changes limited substrate sugar supply and starch accumulation, ultimately slowing grain filling rate. Overall, our findings reveal that JA changes the source–sink relationship, favoring carbon retention in vegetative tissues and reducing assimilate partitioning into grain.
- Insects’ and Farmers’ Responses to Pollinator-Related Habitat Improvement in Small and Large Faba Bean Fields in MoroccoAuthor(s): Bencharki, Youssef; Michez, Denis; Lhomme, Patrick; Saiz, Sara Reverté; Ihsane, Oumayma; Sentil, Ahlam; El Abdouni, Insafe; Hamroud, Laila; Aw-Hassan, Aden A.; Smaili, Moulay Chrif; Rasmont, Pierre; Christmann, Stefanie (MDPI, 2025-11-14)Date: 2025-11-14Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessNovel agro-ecosystem management practices are necessary to sustain biodiversity. In low- and middle-income countries, profitable marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEPs) associated with a single main crop may be more efficient at supporting insect diversity and farmer income compared to monoculture fields. An approach known as “Farming with Alternative Pollinators” (FAP), which uses marketable habitat enhancement plants, was tested in Morocco. To date, the FAP approach has achieved success in fields measuring approximately 300 square meters, supporting the diversity and abundance of pollinators, natural enemies of pests, and farmer net income. However, the question remains: how efficient would this approach be in large fields of one hectare or more? We present a case study conducted using faba bean as the main crop and compared the development of the FAP approach in 300 square meter and one-hectare fields in Morocco. At the field level, compared to the control fields (i.e., monoculture), the diversity and abundance of pollinators and natural enemies were higher in FAP fields of both field sizes, but the difference was less in large fields. The difference in net income (108% vs. 36% in small vs. large fields) was significant, indicating a potential incentive for the farmers of small and large fields. A questionnaire conducted with farmers confirmed their recognition of the value of marketable habitat enhancement plants as a cost-efficient solution that can offer multiple benefits.
- Strengthening Sheep and Goat Breeding in TunisiaAuthor(s): Rekik, Mourad; Tebourbi, Ons; Getachew, Tesfaye; Haile, Aynalem; Mwacharo, Joram; Rischkowsky, Barbara (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-12-11Type: BlogStatus: Open accessSupported by CGIAR’s Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Food Systems and Multifunctional Landscapes programs, ICARDA and Tunisia’s Office de l’Élevage et des Pâturages (OEP) are rebuilding one of the region’s pioneering sheep and goat breeding programs. Within this collaboration, ICARDA and OEP are setting the stage for a modernized, sustainable, and community-integrated sheep and goat breeding system in Tunisia to preserve genetic diversity while enhancing productivity and economic value for sheep and goat producers.
- Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: Safeguarding Genetic Diversity for Food Security with Dr Vania C. Renno AzevedoAuthor(s): Wissa, Martina; ICARDA, Communication Team (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-12-12Type: VideoStatus: Open accessICARDA recently hosted a regional workshop for CWANA genebank managers aimed at enhancing collaboration, capacity building, and the sustainability of genebanks to protect genetic diversity. Vania C. Renno Azevedo, Director of CGIAR Genebanks Accelerator, emphasized the significance of fostering strong regional communities of practice to safeguard genetic resources and bolster food security.
- Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: The Importance of Regional Collaboration with Dr. Zakaria KehelAuthor(s): Wissa, Martina; ICARDA, Communication Team (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-12-11Type: VideoStatus: Open accessDr. Zakaria Kehel, Research Team Leader for Genetic Resources at ICARDA, highlights why regional collaboration is essential for the conservation, management, and use of plant genetic resources. Earlier in December, ICARDA brought together CWANA genebank managers to strengthen regional collaboration and safeguard crop diversity for food security and climate resilience.
- Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: Interview with Plant Genetic Resources Expert and Estidama Genebank Manager in OmanAuthor(s): Wissa, Martina; ICARDA, Communication Team (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-12-16Type: VideoStatus: Open accessAli Al-Allawati, Plant Genetic Resources Expert and Estidama Genebank Manager in Oman, joined ICARDA’s CWANA Genebank Managers Meeting in Istanbul. In this interview, he shares how bringing together genebank managers and scientists from ICARDA helps exchange practical knowledge on what to conserve and how to conserve it.
- Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: LinkedIn Promotional PostAuthor(s): ICARDA, Communication Team; Wissa, Martina (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-12-09Type: Other (LinkedIn Post)Status: Open accessDecember 9, 2025 marked the opening of the CWANA Genebank Managers Meeting in Istanbul, bringing together national partners across Central and West Asia and North Africa to strengthen regional collaboration on plant genetic resources. The CWANA region is one of the richest global hubs of agrobiodiversity, home to major cereals, legumes, forages, fruits, vegetables, and 41% of global priority crop wild relatives. The day began with welcome remarks and an overview of meeting objectives, followed by country roundtable presentations highlighting national priorities, opportunities, challenges, and key partners for plant genetic resource conservation and use. Afternoon group discussions explored different scenarios for working together across geographies, themes, and crops, supporting a more coordinated regional approach. These discussions helped align priorities for the conservation, sustainable use, and equitable benefit sharing of genetic resources that are vital for food security and climate resilience.
- Strengthening Genebanks Through Regional Collaboration in CWANA: LinkedIn Promotional Post 1Author(s): ICARDA, Communication Team; Wissa, Martina (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA))Date: 2025-12-11Type: News Item/Press ItemStatus: Open accessFrom 9–11 December 2025 in Istanbul, ICARDA convened genebank managers and partners from across the CWANA region to focus on collaboration, capacity strengthening, and long-term sustainability of genebanks. With thanks CGIAR Genebanks Accelerator for supporting this important regional initiative and advancing communities of practice. Together, stronger and more connected genebanks are helping safeguard plant genetic resources for food security and climate resilience in the CWANA region.
- Concept Note on Institutional-level Measurement of Outcome and Impact Results at ICARDA: Country Innovation Portfolio Evaluations (CIPEs)Author(s): Bikara, Innocent (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2025-05-05)Date: 2025-05-05Type: ManualStatus: Open accessCIPEs are evaluative studies aimed at providing rapid and reliable estimates for measuring whether implemented activities within country programs are producing the intended results/outcomes. The comparative advantage of CIPEs is that they are conducted more frequently than impact assessments, and on a smaller scale. CIPEs are designed to provide localized information which may signal changes that could be occurring on a larger scale. The unit of evaluation shall be the country-innovation combination. For each country-innovation combination. The innovations of interest shall be those that are being used by the intended end-users, including those within the direct influence of an ICARDA project or intervention (herein called direct innovation users) and those beyond the direct influence of an ICARDA project or intervention (herein called indirect innovation users). Mixed methods approach will be applied to allow for results triangulation and to investigate broader influences and effects, intended and unintended changes. Digital data collection tools will be used at all applicable stages of the CIPE.
- Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Impact Assessment and Foresight (MELIAF) PolicyAuthor(s): Bikara, Innocent; Bonaiuti, Enrico; Becker, Laura (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2025-12-05)Date: 2025-12-05Type: Policy ContributionStatus: Open accessThis policy clarifies ICARDA’s approach to MELIAF, harnessing existing and applicable policies and procedures and entrenching industry best practices.
- D.4.2.3 CROATIA MOUNTAINHer Policy BriefDate: 2026-01-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessFROM MARGINS TO MARKETS: ADVANCING WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP IN CROATIA’S MOUNTAIN COOPERATIVES Confronting Legal Barriers, Leadership Inequity, and Economic Isolation through Cooperative Transformation.
- D.4.2.3 Algeria MOUNTAINHer Policy BriefAuthor(s): Louahdi, Nasreddine; Oueslati, Dorsaf; Najjar, DinaDate: 2026-01-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessFROM SEASON TO STABILITY: ADVANCING WOMEN-LED COOPERATIVES IN ALGERIA’S MOUNTAIN REGIONS Overcoming legal gaps, gender Inequity, and addressing seasonal employment, Training Gaps, and Market Access to Empower Rural Women.
- D 4.2.3 ITALY MOUNTAINHer Policy BriefAuthor(s): Mazzoli, Ilaria; Ameziane, Maroua; Nidkazza, Zakaria; Oueslati, Dorsaf; Najjar, DinaDate: 2026-01-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessITALY’S MOUNTAIN REGIONS AT A CROSSROADS: AGROECOLOGY, EQUITY, AND MOUNTAIN COOPERATIVES A policy roadmap for revitalizing rural economies and advancing gender equality through cooperative innovation.
- Business plan on feed production for farmer group Rjim MaatougAuthor(s): Rudiger, Udo; Moujahed, NizarDate: 2025-12-19Type: Other (Business plan)Status: Timeless limited accessThe business plan shows different elements like feed formula using different avilable by-products in the region. It aslo looks at production costs and estimated benefit as well as marketing and financing aspects
- D 4.2.3 LEBANON MOUNTAINHer Policy BriefAuthor(s): Oueslati, Dorsaf; Najjar, Dina; El Amil, Rola; Osta, Jamale; Maalouf, Sally; Ameziane, MarouaDate: 2026-01-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessFROM FRAGILITY TO STRENGTH: BUILDING RESILIENT WOMEN-LED COOPERATIVES IN LEBANON Improving governance, resources, and market linkages to ensure long-term sustainability and risk preparedness
- D 4.2.3 MOROCCO MOUNTAINHer Policy BriefDate: 2026-01-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessFROM EXCLUSION TO SHARED LEADERSHIP: STRENGTHENING WOMEN-LED COOPERATIVES ACROSS RURAL MOROCCO Enhancing leadership capacity, improving market opportunities, and addressing administrative and financial constraints for lasting impact.
- D 4.2.3 TUNISIA MountainHer Policy BriefDate: 2026-01-20Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessEnhancing women's participation: Toward inclusive agricultural organizations in Tunisia Strengthening governance, access to resources and markets while challenging gender norms to build inclusive rural economies
- Dashboard of Database (Soil and Climate)’’ Required for Crop Modeling for MENA RegionAuthor(s): Devkota, Krishna; Bouasria, AbdelkrimDate: 2025-12-25Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThe Crop Modelling (Soil, Climate, and Crop) “Dashboard of Database” Application is a specialized web-based platform developed to support crop modelling research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This application provides streamlined access to essential environmental datasets specifically curated and processed for agricultural research in water-scarce environments. Designed to facilitate climate change impact assessments and sustainable agricultural planning, this tool eliminates the need for complex GIS software and programming expertise while ensuring data compatibility with major crop growth models. The Crop Data Collector Application represents a significant advancement in streamlining data preparation for crop modelling. By integrating multiple data sources into a single, user-friendly platform, it addresses a critical bottleneck in agricultural research: the time-consuming and technically challenging process of acquiring and formatting environmental data.
- Technical specification for multi-crop raised bed planter suitable for intensified small-holder farmers in EgyptAuthor(s): Devkota Wasti, Mina Kumari; Omar, Mohie; Shaban, Yousry; Attaher, Samar; Nangia, Vinay (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2025-12-22)Date: 2025-12-22Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessEgypt’s irrigated agriculture is under intense pressure from water scarcity, land fragmentation, and rising input costs. Mechanized raised bed planting has already been demonstrated in Egypt to improve water-use efficiency, nitrogen-use efficiency, and wheat productivity compared with traditional flat planting and flood irrigation (Devkota et al., 2026). Studies from ICARDA and national partners show that raised beds can save ~20% irrigation water, reduce seed rates by ~30%, and increase yields and profitability in wheat and other crops in the Nile Delta and Valley. Yet, widespread adoption is still constrained by the lack of scale-appropriate mechanization for bed formation and planting. Most existing raised bed seed drills manufactured or imported for Egypt are heavy, designed for higher horsepower tractors, and often poorly matched to the small, fragmented holdings that dominate the old lands. Many smallholders operate tractors in the 45–60 hp range or rely on hired services with limited maneuverability in narrow plots, irregular field shapes, and soft soils. Oversized or overweight planters increase fuel use, cause excessive compaction, are difficult to transport between small fields, and are economically unattractive for service providers serving many small clients. Recent ICARDA in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and private sector partners has led to the development of a lighter raised-bed planter suitable for tractors <45 hp (Transformative Innovation for Dryland Agriculture | ICARDA; a7d14d910077edc955c5ac8bbfd47c78). This design is an important step forward, but it is mostly tailored to wheat and does not yet support multi-crop configurations.
- Women and youth-led animal feed enterprises building resilienceAuthor(s): Ekule, Muluken; Descheemaeker, Katrien; Linden, Aart; Wamatu, Jane; Rischkowsky, Barbara (International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), 2025-12-30)Date: 2025-12-30Type: BlogStatus: Open accessThe resilience of integrated farming systems relies on keeping essential links among their components. In Ethiopia's Doyogena district, the most vulnerable part of the sheep-enset mixed farming system is the availability of feed during the dry season. When this connection fails, it leads to reduced livestock productivity, decreased income, and a weakened relationship between crops and livestock systems