MEL submissions
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Item Cattle weight and other body measurements within Son La province of Vietnam(Dataset) Marshall, Karen; Malinga, Sophie; Poole, Elizabeth; Dung, Le Tien; Tuan, Han Anh; Duc, Do Van; Dai, Nguyen Van; Le Thi Thanh, HuyenThe dataset includes both household-level and animal-level characteristics. At the household level, data collected included geographic information such as the name of the commune, household number, and the number of eligible animals. Background information about the farmer was also captured. Animal-level data comprised three main types: measured variables, enumerator observations, and farmer-reported information. Measured variables included body length, height, and heart girth (all recorded in centimeters), as well as weight (in kilograms). Enumerator observations covered characteristics such as cattle breed and body condition score. Farmer-reported data included information on pregnancy status, feeding practices, housing type, time since the animal was last fed, and castration status. To facilitate analysis, several composite and derived variables were created. These included a sex-pregnancy status variable with three categories: Female Pregnant (FP), Female Non-Pregnant (FNP), and Male(M), where the FP were excluded. A weight group variable was also developed, comprising 14 categories based on 25-kg intervals, except for the first (15–24.5 kg) and last (325–375 kg) bands. Additionally, some variables were recoded to reduce complexity in the analysis: cattle breed was collapsed into three categories—Laisind, Yellow, and Other—while body condition score was simplified into two levels: Thin and Moderate/Fat.Item CGIAR Nutrition Impact Platform Tribute to Dr. M. S. Swaminathan(Video) Wismen, Bendula; Pizarras, Charlotte; Thilsted, ShakuntalaCGIAR Nutrition Impact Platform produced and screened this video in the ‘From Feeding the Hungry to Nourishing All People: A Tribute to Dr. M. S. Swaminathan’ event during World Food Prize Week of Events 2024.Video creator: Charlotte Pizarras, October 2024Item The Planetary Health Diet: What to eat?(Video) Wismen, Bendula; Thilsted, ShakuntalaExperts share their thoughts on adopting and implementing the EAT-Lancet’s Planetary Health Diet, and its impact on food systems transformation.Item Experts Reaction to EAT-Lancet’s Planetary Health Diet(Video) Wismen, Bendula; Thilsted, ShakuntalaHear from food systems and nutrition experts on their perspectives of the EAT-Lancet’s Planetary Health Diet, and how it can be implemented in Southeast Asia.Item Exploring genetic variation and stripe rust resistance in ICARDA's spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using GWAS in West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region(Journal Article) Youssef, Alaa; El-soda, Mohamed; H. Osman, Neama; Shahin, Atef; Zakaria, EL Gataa; Hamwieh, Aladdin; Tawkaz, Sawsan; Nazari, Kumarse; Al-Shamaa, Khaled; Tadesse, WuletawStripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, poses a major threat to global wheat (Triticum aestivum) production. This study assessed stripe rust resistance in 154 spring bread wheat genotypes from ICARDA, tested across four locations: Izmir (Turkey), Merchouch (Morocco), Sakha, and Sids (Egypt). Disease severity was evaluated at the adult plant stage under natural infection using the coefficient of infection (CI). Genotyping was performed using 17,692 high-quality SNP markers, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) for resistance. The mixed linear model (MLM), accounting for population structure and relatedness, detected significant differences in genotype resistance across locations. Twenty elite genotypes, including G101, G117, and G125, exhibited high resistance across all sites. A total of 136 significant MTAs and 17 candidate genes were identified, with −log10(p) > 3.0, primarily on chromosomes 2A, 3B, 4A, 5B, and 7A. Several MTAs aligned with known resistance genes, such as Yr18 and Yr57, while others suggested novel loci. Key markers, including ‘AX-109902001’ (6A), ‘AX-94992026’ (7B), ‘IAAV1650’ (5A), and ‘Excalibur_c37115_306’ (3B), were significantly associated with resistance across locations. These findings enhance the understanding of the genetic architecture of stripe rust resistance and provide MTAs suitable for marker-assisted selection to pyramid resistance genes. The identified resistant genotypes hold potential for direct release or use as breeding parents in the WANA region, pending further adaptation trials assessing yield stability and agronomic performance.Item Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana strains on Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)(Journal Article) Boulamtat, Rachid; El-Fakhouri, Karim; Jaber, Hassna; Oubayoucef, Ali; Ramdani, Chaimae; Fikraoui, Nabil; Al-Jaboobi, Muamar; El Fadil, Meryem; Maafa, Ilyass; Mesfioui, Abdelhalem; Kemal, Seid Ahmed; El Bouhssini, MustaphaThe destructive pest of chickpeas, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), is difficult to control using synthetic insecticides. The current research examined the entomopathogenic and endophytic colonisation effects of three fungal strains of Beauveria bassiana (HASS; RFSL10; SP-IR-566) against H. armigera larvae under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions. Four inoculation methods were used in the greenhouse: Root Dipping (RD), Leaf Spraying (LS), Stem Injection (SI), and Seed Coating (SC), while spray application was used for laboratory and field treatments. Under laboratory conditions, the highest entomopathogenic effect was recorded by HASS and RFSL10 strains applied as a direct spray at 108 conidia mL-1 with 100% mortality, followed by SP-IR-566 with 96%, 12 days after treatment. Furthermore, foliar application in the field reduced larval population by an average ranging from 82 to 100%, confirming the significant effects of the three tested strains. In terms of endophytic colonisation under greenhouse setting, both stem injection and root dipping methods expressed low to moderate mortality rates ranging from 32 to 40%, 15 days after application. These findings suggested that B. bassiana strains, investigated as foliar application, had a potential as an effective strategy to control H. armigera. This study also offers new insights into the potential of the endophytic entomopathogens approach as a viable and safe alternative to chemical pesticides.Item Beyond biodiversity: does “Farming with Alternative Pollinators” also boost farmers’ income in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields? a case study in Morocco(Journal Article) Bencharki, Youssef; Michez, Denis; Smaili, Moulay Chrif; Ihsane, Oumayma; Aw-Hassan, Aden A.; Ssymank, Axel; Rasmont, Pierre; Christmann, StefanieThe importance of flower visitors for ecosystem resilience and crop production underscores the need to address the current decline of flower visitors worldwide. Farming Alternative Pollinators (FAP), economic and ecological benefits of fields hosting various marketable habitat enhancement plants, developed for flower visitors protection in low- and middle-income countries, showed multiple benefits for farmers of pollinator-dependent crops, but potential benefits of FAP for production of pollinator-independent crops have not yet been assessed. Therefore, we conducted in 2021 FAP trials with wheat (Triticum aestivum) as the main crop in two regions of Morocco where cereals are mainly grown in monocultures in field sizes ranging from 2 to 5 ha. We tested the effects of fields adding marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEP; coriander and canola) versus control fields on pests, natural enemies, flower visitors, and net income. We found significantly lower abundance and diversity of pests in wheat fields using MHEP, but no effect on natural enemy presence or net income. The strips of MHEP attracted a high number of flower visitors in both regions (Settat and Sidi Slimane), they supported flower visitor communities by providing plant resources and alternative habitat in monocultural landscapes extremely degraded for flower visitors.Item Cambodia Puts Fish at the Heart of National Nutrition Strategy(News Item) HQ, WorldFishIn recognition of its essential role in healthy diets, Cambodia has included fish in its newly launched Third National Strategy for Food Security and Nutrition (2024–2028). The strategy, spearheaded by the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), aims to boost food security, nutrition outcomes, and resilience nationwide. Speaking at the strategy’s official launch on 10 April 2025, Dr. Ouk Rabun, Senior Minister and Chairman of CARD, acknowledged the crucial role played by WorldFish and other key development partners, highlighting their contributions in shaping the strategic direction for Cambodia’s nutrition and food security future.Item Podcasts about Community-based Theater to Strengthen Women’s Land Rights and Entrepreneurship (Darija)(Video) Najjar, DinaSeeking to challenge these deep-rooted norms, ICARDA, in collaboration with Oxfam and Spect’Act Foundation, introduced ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’, an interactive drama technique pioneered by Brazilian dramatist Augusto Boal. The method encourages audiences to step into the roles of protagonists facing oppression, exploring solutions through improvisation and debate. The Podcasts summarize the approach and findings in Amazigh and Darija.Item Podcasts about Community-based Theater to Strengthen Women’s Land Rights and Entrepreneurship (Amazigh)(Video) Najjar, DinaSeeking to challenge these deep-rooted norms, ICARDA, in collaboration with Oxfam and Spect’Act Foundation, introduced ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’, an interactive drama technique pioneered by Brazilian dramatist Augusto Boal. The method encourages audiences to step into the roles of protagonists facing oppression, exploring solutions through improvisation and debate. The Podcasts summarize the approach and findings in Amazigh and Darija.Item Genome-wide association analysis of Septoria tritici blotch for adult plant resistance in elite bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes(Journal Article) Kassie, Molla Mekonnen; Dejene, Tiegist; Desta, Ermias Abate; Tadesse, WuletawSeptoria tritici blotch (STB) is a predominant foliar disease of wheat, caused by the pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici. This disease can lead to substantial yield losses warranting control by using expensive fungicides. One effective method of STB control is the utilization of resistant wheat varieties. In this particular study, a panel comprising of 186 bread wheat genotypes was assessed for their adult plant resistance (APR) to STB. Field trials were conducted across five environments in Ethiopia during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons under natural infestation conditions. The association panel was genotyped using 20K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. To determine the relationship between genetic markers and STB resistance, a mixed linear model (MLM) analysis was performed using the statgen GWAS R software package. Heritability estimates for STB resistance ranged from 0.39 to 0.95, underscoring the genetic variability and the potential for selection. The study identified 52 marker-trait associations (MTAs) for STB resistance at maturity (SDSM) and 62 MTAs at heading (SDSH). Chromosome 5A contains a high concentration of MTAs that confer resistance to STB, hosting multiple significant MTAs, including four consistently associated markers (‘Kukri_c10033_724’, ‘RAC875_rep_c116420_103’, ‘TG0019’, and ‘RAC875_c30566_230’). Additionally, chromosomes 1B, 2B, 5B, and 7A were found to harbor important MTAs, contributing to resistance across various environments. Notably, two QTLs, qtSTB23 (5A) and qtSTB38 (7B), exhibited stability across multiple environments, making them robust candidates for breeding programs. Furthermore, novel resistance loci on chromosome 2A were discovered, offering new opportunities for enhancing resistance. Therefore, these findings provide an opportunity for improving STB resistance through gene stacking using marker-assisted selection (MAS).Item Characterizing Wheat Rhizosphere Bacterial Microbiome Dynamics Under Salinity Stress: Insights from 16S rRNA Metagenomics for Enhancing Stress Tolerance(Journal Article) Mahmoud, Nourhan Fouad; M. El-Zayat, Emad; Amr, Dina; A. El-Khishin, Dina; M. Abd-Elhalim, Haytham; Hafez, Amr; Radwan, Khaled; Hamwieh, Aladdin; Tadesse, WuletawSalinity is one of the most important abiotic stress factors affecting wheat production. Salt in the soil is a major environmental stressor that can affect the bacterial community in the rhizosphere of wheat. The bacteria in the plant’s rhizosphere promote growth and stress tolerance, which vary by variety and location. Nevertheless, the soil harbors some of the most diverse microbial communities, while the rhizosphere selectively recruits according to the needs of plants in a complex harmonic regulation. The microbial composition and diversity under normal and saline conditions were assessed by comparing the rhizosphere of wheat with soil using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, highlighting the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Taxonomic analyzes showed that the bacterial community was predominantly and characteristically composed of the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, and Fibrobacteres, representing the usual microbial profile for the rhizosphere of wheat. Idiomarinaceae, Rheinheimera, Halomonas, and Pseudomonas (a strain of Proteobacteria), together with Gracilibacillus (a strain of Firmicutes Bacilli), were recognized as microbial signatures for the rhizosphere microbiome under saline conditions. This was observed even with unchanged soil type and genotype. These patterns occurred despite the same soil type and genotype, with salinity being the only variable. The collective action of these bacterial phyla in the rhizosphere not only improves nutrient availability but also induces systemic resistance in the plants. This synergistic effect improves plant resistance to salt stress and supports the development of salt-tolerant wheat varieties. These microbial signatures could improve our understanding of plant–microbe interactions and support the development of microbiome-based solutions for salt stress.Item Aquatic Foods Initiative(Video) HQ, WorldFishThe CGIAR Initiative on Aquatic Foods aimed to build the resilience of aquatic food systems and unlock their full potential by scaling research and innovations. Working closely with research partners in fisheries and aquaculture, civil society, industry, and governments, the Initiative contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from the production of aquatic foods, and enhance ecological and social resilience through development and dissemination of improved fish strains, better management practices, integrated fish-rice production systems, and fish-friendly irrigation systems.Item Imagining island food system futures with Indigenous foods: A tok stori on the experiences and potential of traditional food systems in provinces of Solomon Islands(Brief, 2024-12-31) Wate, Jillian Tutuo; Tikai, Pitakia; Lodu, Esther; Vaike, Lyn; Saeni-Oeta, Janet; Bennet, Gregory; Eriksson, HampusTransition to unhealthy food choices and lifestyles is causing health problems for Solomon Islanders. Due to these circumstances, a tok stori was organized in 2023 to start addressing the following question: “what does a vision for a healthy and safe food system comprise?” (Tutuo et al. 2023). To follow up on these discussions, WorldFish and the Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) organized a second series of forums called Island Food Systems in Transition: Strengthening Indigenous Food Systems in Solomon Islands. The forums were hosted in Gizo, Western Province, on June 13, 2024, and in Buala, Isabel Province, on August 14, 2024 . These forums brought together rural actors and key stakeholders (i) to talk about traditional farming and aquatic foods under a nutrition-sensitive approach and (ii) to listen to ideas about what the future of food systems in Solomon Islands could look like at the provincial level.Item Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Capacity Building Training Workshop(Internal Document, 2024-12-29) Bonilla Anariba, Sara; Adam, Rahma; Njuguna-Mungai, Esther; Njuguna, RuthThis three-and-half day Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) training workshop was designed to equip researchers and partners of AABS and NARES from Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda with foundational GESI knowledge and the tools needed to conduct gender research and design development interventions within AFS. The workshop aimed to encourage knowledge exchange through interactive methods, including group activities, role-playing, and collective discussions.Item Crop catalogue of farmers’ preferred crop cultivars and varieties in western Kenya(Manual, 2024-12-31) Niane, Abdoul Aziz; Otieno, Gloria; Nyambok, Anne; Aluso, Lillian; Kemal, Seid Ahmed; Bishaw, Zewdie; Termote, Celine; Fadda, CarloThis catalogue is an output of collaborative work of the Genetic Resources Research Institute (GeRRI) of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the International Center for Agricultural. Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), and the Alliance of. Bioversity International and CIAT. The development of the catalogue is funded under the CGIAR Nature Positive Solutions Initiative. The aim of the collaboration is to develop a farmer preferred crop cultivars and varieties catalogue to facilitate registration, quality-declared seed production, certification, and commercialization.Item Support Pollinators and Boost Farmers' Incomes with Farming with Alternative Pollinators!(Brochure, 2024-12-01) Bencharki, YoussefFarming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) boosts crop yield and quality by attracting diverse pollinators and natural pest controllers. This approach integrates marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEP), nesting, and water support, benefiting farmers in low- and middle-income countries while protecting pollinators.Item “Farming with alternative pollinators” provides benefits also in large-scale fields(Journal Article, 2024-01-10) Bencharki, Youssef; Michez, Denis; Ihsane, Oumayma; Reverté, Sara; Aw-Hassan, Aden A.; Smaili, Moulay Chrif; Ssymank, Axel; Rasmont, Pierre; Christmann, StefanieInsect pollinators are declining worldwide due to many challenges and several approaches have been implemented to mitigate their loss. Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) uses marketable habitat enhancement plants (MHEP) that yield substantial benefits for farmers from the first year. Studies with small-scale farmers have shown that FAP sustains high diversity and abundance of flower visitors and natural enemies, resulting in significant increases in smallholders' incomes, on average 121% higher. For the first time, we analyzed this approach in large-scale fields. Trials were conducted in 16 farms in two regions of Morocco, Sidi Slimane and Ksar El-Kebir, in 2021. We used melon (Cucumis melo) as the main crop and coriander, anise and sunflower as MHEP and selected in each farm 1 ha as trial area in larger monocultures. We compared FAP and control fields regarding abundance and richness of flower visitors, natural enemies and pests as well as net income of the whole field (1 ha). Flower visitors and natural enemies were significantly more diverse and abundant in FAP fields and there were also fewer pests. Our economic results show 17% higher net income per ha in FAP fields versus control fields in the Ksar El-Kebir region, and 12% higher net income in FAP fields compared to control fields in Sidi Slimane region. Although the mean yield difference was statistically significant, the income difference was not. We suggest more FAP trials are needed in different large-scale fields systems.Item Phylogenetic analysis, mixed infection and seed transmission of Pea seed-borne mosaic virus in Ethiopia(Journal Article, 2025-01-16) Ademe, Anteneh; Kumari, Safaa; Moukahel, Abdulrahman; Alemu, Tesfaye; Abraham, Adane; Aynewa, Yetsedaw; Guadie, Demsachew; Kemal, Seid AhmedPea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) is a significant pathogen affecting the yield and quality of lentil and chickpea crops in Ethiopia's major legume-producing regions, Amhara and Oromia. This study focuses on characterizing PSbMV and its seed transmission rates, including mixed infections under field conditions. Tissue blot immunoassay (TBIA) analysis revealed that 56.2 % of tested lentil and chickpea samples were infected with PSbMV, often in mixed infections. PSbMV seed transmission rates varied widely among tested lentil genotypes, with the widely grown improved lentil cultivar Alemaya (FLIP 89-63 L) showing a transmission rate as high as 13.5 %. To characterize the isolates, the partial polyprotein gene was amplified and sequenced. Analysis of these sequences showed nucleotide identities ranging from 90.5 % to 100 %. Phylogenetic analysis classified Ethiopian PSbMV isolates (from lentil and chickpea) into four major clades and four subclades. Five lentil isolates (EthLe204-18, EthLe547-18, EthLe12-19, EthLe84-19, and EthLe214-33-19) and one chickpea isolate (EthCp115-19) clustered in subgroup BI, while isolate EthLe343-18 clustered into subgroup BII with an American pathotype-2 isolate (AJ252242). Isolates EthLe7-21 and EthLe381-21 clustered with an Australian P-2 isolate (HQ185579) into group D. Further analysis using RDP indicates intraspecific recombination only in isolate EthLe214-19, with fragments derived from EthLe343-18 and EthLe204-18 as major and minor parents, respectively. No recombination events were detected in the other isolates. This study suggests that variations in lentil genotype resistance to seed infection could be leveraged for resistance breeding, and the impacts of mixed infections on lentil crops warrant further investigation.Item Detection and Partial Characterization of Polerovirus and Luteovirus Isolates Associated With Lentil and Chickpea in Ethiopia(Journal Article, 2025-02-05) Ademe, Anteneh; Kumari, Safaa; Moukahel, Abdulrahman; Alemu, Tesfaye; Abraham, Adane; Aynewa, Yetsedaw; Guadie, Demsachew; Kemal, Seid AhmedThe partial nucleotide sequence of the coat protein (CP) gene of Ethiopian isolates of chickpea chlorotic stunt virus (CpCSV, genus Polerovirus), beet western yellows virus (BWYV, genus Polerovirus), and soybean dwarf virus (SbDV, genus Luteovirus) was determined from lentil and chickpea plants showing yellowing, stunting, and reddening symptoms. Comparative sequence analysis of CpCSV isolates obtained from five chickpea and five lentil isolates showed 94.9%–100% and 91.9%–98.7% nucleotide sequence identity with each other and with the reference isolates, respectively. One CpCSV isolate from chickpea (MZ043728) showed a close relationship with isolates of the serotype II while the remaining nine isolates were closely related to isolates belonging to serotype I. Sequence identities of three chickpea BWYV isolates varied from 93.3% to 100% with the reference isolates, and one of them (MZ043727) displayed 100% nucleotide identity with previously reported lentil stunt virus (LStV, genus Polerovirus). The chickpea isolates MZ043725 and MZ043726 appear to be identical to each other, whereas the other isolate (MZ043727) was identical to previously identified LStV isolate. The nucleotide sequence of three Ethiopian SbDV isolates had a lower identity with GenBank isolates and their phylogenetic analysis showed that they are clustered separately from the rest of the reference isolates indicating that they are the most divergent. This result generates essential information for further research on legume viruses in Ethiopia. In addition, a detailed study should be conducted in the future to understand the prevalence of LStV and determine the potential yield losses associated with the virus in Ethiopia.