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- Genome-wide association studies for identification of stripe rust resistance loci in diverse wheat genotypesAuthor(s): Tanwar, Vikesh; Kumar, Satish; Lal, Chuni; Aggarwal, Rajesh; Nair, Rajitha; Kamboj, Disha; Lal Kashyap, Prem; Singh, Vikram; Singh Saini, Johar; Kashyap, Sunil; Hussain Wani, Shabir; Udupa, Sripada M.; Singh, Rajender; Tiwari, Ratan (Frontiers Media, 2025-12-08)Date: 2025-12-08Type: Journal ArticleStatus: Open accessIntroduction: In North India, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. triticii (Pst), the causal agent of stripe rust, poses a significant challenge to wheat productivity. The frequent emergence of new virulent Pst strains has rendered many resistance genes ineffective. Hence, continuous identification and deployment of novel resistance genes are crucial for maintaining durable resistance and ensuring sustainable wheat cultivation.Materials and Methods: A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on 652 elite, diverse wheat genotypes using 1,938 DArTseq SNP markers. Field evaluations were performed at the adult plant stage across four locations—Hisar, Karnal, Gurdaspur, and Khudwani—under natural disease conditions. Marker–trait associations were identified using General Linear Model (GLM), Mixed Linear Model (MLM), and FarmCPU approaches, considering loci with –log₁₀(p) ≥ 3 as significant.Results: Analysis revealed 27 genomic regions significantly associated with stripe rust resistance across environments. Among these, four loci were located on chromosomes 2B and 6B, and three on 6A. Several loci corresponded to resistance-related genes, including NBS-LRR, F-box, LRR, protein kinase, Ser/Thr_kinase, Znf_RING-CH, E3-ubiquitin ligase, and ABC transporter genes, suggesting their potential role in rust resistance mechanisms.Discussion: The study identified novel genomic regions associated with Pst resistance, providing valuable resources for wheat improvement. The functional annotation of these loci highlights their involvement in plant defense pathways. Conversion of these loci into breeder-friendly molecular markers will facilitate marker-assisted selection (MAS) and accelerate the development of durable stripe rust-resistant wheat cultivars suited to North Indian agro-ecological conditions.
- Climate Adaptation Strategies - Field Survey on Farmers' Perceptions QuestionnaireDate: 2026-03-23Type: ToolStatus: Open accessSurvey questionnaire used to collect data on farmers’ perceptions, impacts, and adaptation strategies in two Ethiopian sheep CBBP sites, Bonga and Menz.
- Breeding European Legumes for Increased Sustainability (BELIS) Project WP4 - Periodic ReportAuthor(s): Maalouf, FouadDate: 2025-09-10Type: Internal ReportStatus: Timeless limited accessICARDA evaluated diverse, genotyped panels of faba bean (300 accessions), lentil (300 accessions), and common vetch (280 accessions) across contrasting environments in Terbol, Lebanon (high rainfall) and Marchouch, Morocco (low rainfall/drought) during 2023–2024. In faba bean, significant variation was detected for phenology, plant height, yield components, and seed traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 52.3% of variance at Terbol and 62.1% at Marchouch, with seed size traits and grain yield contributing most to diversity. Accessions were also screened for Ascochyta blight, chocolate spot, rust, and orobanche resistance. For lentil, wide and highly significant variation was observed for flowering, maturity, biological and seed yield, and seed weight across both sites. Screening at Marchouch revealed substantial diversity for orobanche resistance. In common vetch, significant variability was found for flowering time, maturity, yield, and yield components. PCA explained 56.4% of total variation, highlighting seed yield and pod number as key contributors. Results support future genomic selection efforts with CSIC.
- Baseline Assessment for the Development of ICARDA’s Interactive Capacity Development Platform on Agricultural Water Management in Dry AreasAuthor(s): Omar, Mohie; Al Zayed, Islam Sabry Al ZayedDate: 2026-02-22Type: Internal ReportStatus: Open accessThe report addresses water scarcity in dry regions, emphasizing the critical need for a digital e-learning platform tailored to water management. It highlights ICARDA's role in bridging knowledge gaps and improving agricultural practices amid climate challenges. Existing platforms provide high-quality, multilingual content but often suffer from outdated materials, low interactivity, and insufficient contextualization for arid environments. The authors recommend developing a new platform that integrates practical training, real-world applications, and strong institutional partnerships, ensuring accessibility and relevance for practitioners and policymakers in dryland areas.
- Value chain selection toolDate: 2026-02-24Type: ToolStatus: Open accessThe Value Chain Selection Tool, developed under the project Supporting the Implementation of the Regional Water Scarcity Initiative in the Near East and North Africa Region, guides strategic crop prioritization in water-scarce contexts. It is based on a multi-criteria assessment framework that integrates economic performance, water productivity, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, as well as infrastructural and institutional criteria. The tool emphasizes efficient water use, climate resilience, soil health, and long-term ecosystem sustainability. It also takes into account market demand, export potential, profitability and competitiveness, as well as access to technology and infrastructure. Social dimensions, such as job creation and the inclusion of smallholders, women, youth, and vulnerable groups, ensure equitable rural development. Through a comparative analysis of different crops, the tool helps policymakers, development partners, and private sector actors identify value chains that maximize yields while minimizing environmental impact. It strengthens investment planning, promotes responsible resource management, and aligns agricultural transformation with the objectives of the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity. In doing so, it contributes to building resilient, inclusive, and water-efficient agri-food systems in the NENA region.