MEL submissions

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/124956

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Assessing the accuracy of multi-model approaches for downscaling land surface temperature across diverse agroclimatic zones
(Journal Article, 2025-03-28) Roy, Debasish; Das, Bappa; Singh, Pooja; Santra, Priyabrata; Deb, Shovik; Kumar Bhattacharya, Bimal; Govind, Ajit; Jatav, Raghuveer; Sethi, Deepak; Ghosh, Tridiv; Mukherjee, Joydeep; Kumar Sehgal, Vinay; Kumar Jha, Prakash; Goroshi, Sheshakumar; Vara Prasad, V. P.; Chakraborty, Debashis
Land surface temperature (LST) is a critical parameter for land surface and atmospheric interactions. However, the applicability of current LST estimates for field-level hydrological, agricultural, and ecological operations is challenging due to their coarse spatiotemporal resolution. In the current article, we compared three different models, namely 1) Thermal Sharpening (TsHARP), 2) Thin Plate Spline (TPS), and 3) Random Forest (RF) for downscaling LST from 100 to 10 m by using high-resolution Sentinel-1,2 optical-microwave data. TsHARP, TPS, and RF are commonly used methods for improving the spatial resolution of large-scale environmental or climate data to finer scales for field-level applications. The analysis was performed at agricultural farms in the semi-arid, arid, and per-humid regions of India during the winter and summer seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22. The calibration accuracy of the RF model was in better agreement with the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and normalized RMSE (nRMSE) values ranging between 0.961–0.997, 0.103–0.439 K, and 0.034–0.143%, respectively, and lower values of standard errors for all three locations. Though the validation accuracy of models varied between the regions, RF and TPS consistently outperformed the TsHARP model. Further the impact of individual features on LST downscaling was analyzed using Accumulated Local Effects (ALE) plot. The study concluded that RF is an effective and adaptable strategy that can be used in various agroclimatic zones and land cover types, suggesting its broader applicability in agricultural and ecological operations. Finer resolution LST data with enhanced precision can support tailored field-level decision-making and interventions in agriculture and environmental monitoring.
A Decision Support Tool for Stakeholder Engagement in Sustainable Land Management Using the WEFE Nexus: A Simulation for the Aral Sea Basin Stakeholders
(Book Chapter, 1970-01-01) Verbist, Joren; Akramkhanov, Akmal
Land degradation affects billions of people, particularly in developing countries, exacerbating poverty and climate change. Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices offer solutions, but decision-making is complex and requires considering multiple stakeholders. This paper proposes a Decision Support Tool (DST) based on Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus framework. The DST integrates WEFE sector stakeholders’ perspectives through the Best–Worst Method (BWM), facilitating informed land management choices. A case study in the Aral Sea Basin illustrates the DST’s applicability, demonstrating how four WEFE simulated stakeholders might prioritize SLMs. While the DST provides valuable insights, it requires careful consideration of contextual factors and encourages (deeper) sectoral stakeholder dialogue. Overall, the DST serves as a practical tool to enhance WEFE sectors stakeholders’ inclusivity and improve decision-making in SLM, offering potential solutions to mitigate land degradation and its associated socio-economic challenges.
Hybridization of process-based models, remote sensing, and machine learning for enhanced spatial predictions of wheat yield and quality
(Journal Article, 2025-03-23) Kheir, Ahmed M.S.; Govind, Ajit; Nangia, Vinay; El-Maghraby, Maher A.; Elnashar, Abdelrazek; Ahmed, Mukhtar; Aboelsoud, Hesham; Mostafa, Rania; Feike, Til
Ensuring accurate predictions of wheat yield and nutritional content is vital for enhancing agricultural pro ductivity and food security. This study aims to improve wheat yield prediction by integrating process-based models (PBM), machine learning (ML), and remote sensing (RS) techniques. Three Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) wheat models were calibrated and evaluated using field data from three wheat cultivars grown over three seasons in diverse environments. We developed a hybrid PBM-ML-RS approach using polynomial regression to generate iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) content from nitrogen predictions. The DSSAT wheat models slightly overestimated wheat yield but accurately predicted nitrogen content. The hybrid PBM-ML- RS approach closely estimated Fe and Zn content with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.42 t/ha for yield and 0.89 % for nitrogen content. The integration of ML and RS improved the prediction accuracy for Fe and Zn, achieving RMSE values of 0.35 % and 0.28 % respectively. Spatial simulations provided detailed geographic estimations of wheat yield and nutrient content, supporting site-specific management practices. This study demonstrates the potential of combining PBM, ML, and RS for comprehensive yield and nutrition prediction. The f indings indicate a modest decrease in protein, Fe, and Zn concentrations with increasing grain yield, exhibiting high variability across different sites and cultivars. Future research should integrate additional data sources to enhance model robustness and applicability to other crops and regions, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security.
Genetic Variation and Association Mapping Studies in Elite Spring Bread Wheat Genotypes for Yield and Other Agronomic Traits under Irrigated and Rainfed Environments
(Journal Article, 1970-01-01) Mostafa, Rania; Zakaria, EL Gataa; Thabet, Sherif; Kehel, Zakaria; Al-Shamaa, Khaled; Eltaher, Shamseldeen; Edris, Sherif; Tadesse, Wuletaw
Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is crucial for food security in North Africa, where climate change and water scarcity threaten its productivity. Optimizing agronomic practices and understanding genetic traits can enhance yield. This study evaluated 159 spring bread wheat genotypes from ICARDA under raised bed, flat, and rainfed conditions in Egypt and Morocco. Five traits, including grain yield (GY), were assessed, and a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using 17,968 SNPs. A total of 181 significant marker-trait associations (MTAs) were identified, with the highest under raised beds (148), followed by rainfed (75) and flat (53) conditions. The B genome had the most associations (91). Raised bed conditions yielded an average of 8.7 t/ha, surpassing flats (7.8 t/ha) and rainfed conditions (4.0 t/ha), demonstrating a +1 t/ha advantage. The top-performing genotype, G147, achieved yields of 11.4 t/ha, 10.7 t/ha, and 4.1 t/ha under raised beds, flats, and rainfed conditions, respectively. Genotypes G91 and G87 also showed stable performance. Notably, the marker “AX-94704405” on chromosome 6B (raised beds) and “AX-109853614” on chromosome 6D (rainfed) were significantly associated with GY, making them promising for marker-assisted selection after validation. The identified high-yielding genotypes will be considered for direct release following adaptation trials and for use as parents in breeding programs to enhance wheat productivity under diverse environments.
Genetic and Genomic Resources for Improving Biotic Stress Tolerance in Chickpea
(Book Chapter, 2024-08-14) Kumar, Tapan; Tiwari, Neha; Saxena, Deep R.; Istanbuli, Tawffiq; Hamwieh, Aladdin
Chickpea, a fundamental member of the legume family, stands out as a vital crop with an intriguing genetic makeup. With a genome size of approximately 738 Mbp, this crop boasts a cool-season preference and self-pollinating tendencies. Notably, chickpea demonstrates remarkable resilience in regions characterized by scarce rainfall and high temperatures. The nutritional prowess of chickpea is a beacon of hope against malnutrition, particularly for communities residing in hot, drought-prone arid and semiarid regions across South Asia and Africa. In these challenging environments, chickpea has emerged as a superior crop, addressing nutritional deficiencies and supporting livelihoods. Diving into chickpea’s genetic diversity reveals a wide spectrum of genotypic and phenotypic variations, including robust tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. Traditional breeding approaches aimed at bolstering stress resistance have garnered substantial success. However, recent years have witnessed the emergence of innovative strategies, such as functional genomics and molecular breeding, targeting increased yields under adverse environmental conditions. The prospect of leveraging genomic tools to further enhance chickpea’s performance remains abundant. The utilization of DNA-based markers, including Kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP), Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT), expressed sequence tag-derived simple sequence repeat markers (EST-SSRs), and single-strand conformational polymorphism-single nucleotide polymorphism (SSCP-SNP), plays a pivotal role. These markers not only shed light on population structure and genetic diversity but also serve as crucial instruments for expedited and precise crop improvement strategies. The foundation of molecular marker-based genetic linkage maps and the identification of genomic regions responsible for yield under biotic stresses, particularly Fusarium wilt (FW), have paved the way for marker-assisted selection and breeding of chickpea cultivars. In conclusion, this review encapsulates the journey of exploring chickpea’s genetic and genomic resources. These endeavors are geared toward elevating both abiotic and biotic stress resistances, culminating in the development of cultivars that stand superior in their stress tolerance. Chickpea’s enduring legacy as a resilient and nutritionally rich crop is poised to make a lasting impact on global agriculture and food security.
Oil, Gas, and Mineral Industry Role in Rangeland Restoration: A systematic review
(Conference Paper, 1970-01-01) Dhehibi, Boubaker; Souissi, Asma; Baker, A. Derek; Flintan, Fiona; Wane, Abdrahmane; S, Burkat
The rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development in the oil-gas-mineral (OGM) states has been controversial because of numerous environmental and social impacts. OGM industries have existed on rangelands for many years with various impacts depending upon the scope of operations and level of professional management (Walsh and Rose 2022; Allred et al. 2015; Chomphosy et al. 2021). In the last decades, energy production has become the largest user of rangelands in several parts of the OGM produced countries, occupying large areas and becoming the largest driver of land-use change (Kreuter et al. 2016). Although emerging energy resources, such as wind and solar, are growing rapidly due to the new advanced technologies, fossil fuel production continues and is predicted to expand in the future (Covert et al. 2016). This will have significant increases in damages to rangelands in terms of reduction of biodiversity, loses in vegetation, increase in carbon emissions, disruption on the natural ecological process, reduction and contamination of ground water, and decrease on the ecosystem services – the potential benefits that natural rangelands provide to humanity. In the frame of STELARR (Sustainable Investments for Large-scale Rangeland Restoration) project, this paper aims to give a comprehensive overview on the role this industry could play on rangeland restoration in the West Asia and Middle East (WAME) region and what is expected from it in terms of sustainable business practices and what roles the OGM countries-governments are to play given that are currently confronted by overlapping rangeland-oriented demands from ecologists and industry.
Effets du semis direct et de l'irrigation d'appoint sur le rendement du blé dur et la fertilité du sol à la station expérimentale de Marchouch (Zaer-Maroc).
(Thesis, 2022-09-23) Rharbaje, Meryem
In Morocco, available water resources have diminished, which represents a major risk for food security. Hence the need to adopt an innovative and sustainable system (no tillage system). In this context, the main objective assigned to this work is to determine the effect of no tillage in interaction with different water regimes. To do this, we installed our trial at the Marchouch experimental station of ICARDA. The study focused on monitoring the effects of tillage mode (CT: Conventionnal tillage; NT: No tillage), and three water regimes (Rainfed ; 1IR : One irrigation ; 2IR : Two irrigations). With the aim of evaluating, on the one hand, the effect of these factors and their interactions on the yield of durum wheat and its components (number of ears/m², number of grains/ears and TGW, grain and straw yield ) as well as nutrient and water use efficiency. On the other hand, their effect on the chemical properties of the soil (rate of organic matter, phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen) in two soil horizons (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) and on two similar, homogeneous plots which have not only undergone the same technical itinerary but also have the same cultural precedents in recent years. The results of this study have in particular made it possible to demonstrate that the mode of tillage affects grain yield and straw yield. Let us add that the NT acts favorably on the normalized vegetation index (NDVI). Through the analysis of the results obtained, it seems that irrigation is essential in the context of drought in 2021/2022 for improving the yield of durum wheat, its growth and has a significant effect on the water use efficiency. It can be said that a second irrigation supply acts favorably and has a positive effect on yields under NT (3157.76 kg/ha) and on yield components in particular (the highest values are recorded under this amount of irrigation supply for: the number of grains/ear 29.28 grains/ear and TWG 45.98g). The water regime also acts on the chemical properties of the soil, in particular the nitrogen content (42.56 mg/kg). In conclusion, no-till systems have promising effects on yield in the context of the drought experienced by Morocco this year.
Cattle weight and other body measurements within Son La province of Vietnam
(Dataset, 1970-01-01) Marshall, Karen; Malinga, Sophie; Poole, Elizabeth; Dung, Le Tien; Tuan, Han Anh; Duc, Do Van; Dai, Nguyen Van; Le Thi Thanh, Huyen
The 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.
CGIAR Nutrition Impact Platform Tribute to Dr. M. S. Swaminathan
(Video, 1970-01-01) Wismen, Bendula; Pizarras, Charlotte; Thilsted, Shakuntala
CGIAR 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 2024
The Planetary Health Diet: What to eat?
(Video, 1970-01-01) Wismen, Bendula; Thilsted, Shakuntala
Experts share their thoughts on adopting and implementing the EAT-Lancet’s Planetary Health Diet, and its impact on food systems transformation.
Experts Reaction to EAT-Lancet’s Planetary Health Diet
(Video, 1970-01-01) Wismen, Bendula; Thilsted, Shakuntala
Hear 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.
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, 1970-01-01) Youssef, Alaa; El-soda, Mohamed; H. Osman, Neama; Shahin, Atef; Zakaria, EL Gataa; Hamwieh, Aladdin; Tawkaz, Sawsan; Nazari, Kumarse; Al-Shamaa, Khaled; Tadesse, Wuletaw
Stripe 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.
Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana strains on Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)
(Journal Article, 1970-01-01) 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, Mustapha
The 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.
Beyond biodiversity: does “Farming with Alternative Pollinators” also boost farmers’ income in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields? a case study in Morocco
(Journal Article, 1970-01-01) Bencharki, Youssef; Michez, Denis; Smaili, Moulay Chrif; Ihsane, Oumayma; Aw-Hassan, Aden A.; Ssymank, Axel; Rasmont, Pierre; Christmann, Stefanie
The 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.
Cambodia Puts Fish at the Heart of National Nutrition Strategy
(News Item, 1970-01-01) HQ, WorldFish
In 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.
Podcasts about Community-based Theater to Strengthen Women’s Land Rights and Entrepreneurship (Darija)
(Video, 1970-01-01) Najjar, Dina
Seeking 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.
Podcasts about Community-based Theater to Strengthen Women’s Land Rights and Entrepreneurship (Amazigh)
(Video, 1970-01-01) Najjar, Dina
Seeking 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.
Genome-wide association analysis of Septoria tritici blotch for adult plant resistance in elite bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L) genotypes
(Journal Article, 1970-01-01) Kassie, Molla Mekonnen; Dejene, Tiegist; Desta, Ermias Abate; Tadesse, Wuletaw
Septoria 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).
Characterizing Wheat Rhizosphere Bacterial Microbiome Dynamics Under Salinity Stress: Insights from 16S rRNA Metagenomics for Enhancing Stress Tolerance
(Journal Article, 1970-01-01) Mahmoud, Nourhan Fouad; M. El-Zayat, Emad; Amr, Dina; A. El-Khishin, Dina; M. Abd-Elhalim, Haytham; Hafez, Amr; Radwan, Khaled; Hamwieh, Aladdin; Tadesse, Wuletaw
Salinity 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.
Aquatic Foods Initiative
(Video, 1970-01-01) HQ, WorldFish
The 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.

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