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Determining the best timing of insemination based on salivary fern pattern and its association with conception in buffalo
No full textSalivary fern patterns (SFP) offer a simple, non-invasive, and cost-effective alternative to conventional estrus detection methods, addressing challenges such as silent heat, inaccurate heat detection, and improper timing of artificial insemination (AI). This study evaluated the utility of SFP in determining best timing for AI and its association with conception in buffaloes. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, twelve cyclic buffaloes in follicular phase were treated with standard Ovsynch protocol and 168 saliva samples were systematically collected to establish reference SFP, its grades, and corresponding fractal dimension values across the luteal and follicular phases. In Experiment 2, 62 buffaloes in natural estrus were inseminated without hormonal treatment, with saliva samples collected prior to insemination for SFP analysis. The SFP were graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor based on microscopic observation and fractal dimension values. During Experiment 1, an excellent grade SFP with lower (P < 0.01) fractal dimension values was observed during late proestrus and early estrus. In about 15 h, the grading transitioned to a good grade corresponding to late estrus before declining to fair or poor grades in the luteal phase. In Experiment 2, buffaloes exhibiting a good grade SFP at insemination showed higher conception rates (P < 0.01) compared to other grades. These findings suggested a precision AI timing for improved conception in buffaloes at either 15 h after the appearance of an excellent grade SFP or when the SFP grade transitions to good, corresponding to late estrus. This approach may help enhance reproductive efficiency and address estrus detection challenges in buffaloes
Biodiversity and agriculture in the Mediterranean region
No full texthis report, Biodiversity and agriculture in the Mediterranean region: A species conservation perspective, is designed to inform policymakers, conservation practitioners, and stakeholders across the Mediterranean region. Its purpose is to highlight the current challenges posed to biodiversity by intensive agricultural pressures, while identifying solutions and opportunities to reconcile biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture. It acknowledges that while certain unsustainable agricultural activities pose a key threat to species conservation in the Mediterranean, agricultural landscapes also provide habitat to numerous species - so considering agriculture as a threat requires a more nuanced approach, given its inherent linkages to nature
Synergies of Farming with Alternative Pollinators (FAP) and Certified Organic Farming for Transformative Change of Agriculture
No full textOrganic farming is a holistic and ambitious way of crop production challenging farmers starting in depleted soils. During the certification process for organic farming, farmers refrain already from using multiple chemicals to boost production, but often they cannot yet gain the full payment for certified organic production. Assumed income loss can limit readiness for organic production. An approach for pollinator protection in low- and middle-income countries, farming with alternative pollinators (FAP) can fill the gap, as the habitat-enhancement measures for pollinators substantially and significantly pay off for farmers in the first year. Planting marketable habitat-enhancement plants attracts higher diversity and abundance of wild pollinators, increasing productivity. The additional plants also attract higher abundance and diversity of natural enemies during a prolonged flowering time. In a large project in smallholder fields in Morocco, they reduced pests on average by 64.8% in main crops. The total net income was, on average, 121% higher than from monocultural control fields. Combination of certified organic agriculture and FAP might accelerate transformative change of agriculture in several aspects
Dashboard for Hot-spots and Land Suitability in MENA region
No full textThe Dashboard for Hot-spots and Land Suitability in the MENA Region is an innovative Web-GIS application designed to map and analyze natural resources, land suitability, and agricultural hotspots in the MENA region and Uzbekistan. The platform enables users to interactively explore soil characteristics, yield gaps, and land suitability for major crops through dynamic visualizations and contextual data displays. Built on a robust architecture using GeoServer and Leaflet, it supports interactive map functions and secure data management. The dashboard assesses soil properties such as organic carbon and salinity while employing a two-step land suitability classification methodology. Additionally, it conducts yield gap analysis using NDVI to estimate crop yields and identify discrepancies with potential yields. This tool is part of CGIAR’s broader efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability, significantly supported by various funders through the CGIAR Trust Fund
Genetic and Environmental Variation in Health-Promotingl-Homoarginine and Neurotoxic β-ODAP in Grass Pea(Lathyrus sativus L.)
No full textGrass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a promising legume crop due to its resilience to climatic stress factors such as drought and water-logging. However, the occurrence of the neurotoxin β-N-oxalyl-l- α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β- ODAP) and the lack of adaptedvarieties pose significant challenges for its wider adoption across Europe. On the other hand, the presence of l-homoarginine(l-hArg) in grass pea has gained attention for its benefits on cardiovascular health. In this study, contrasting grass pea genotypeswere grown at three locations in Germany, and the concentrations of α-, β- ODAP, l-hArg, and 17 other free amino acids wereanalyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). β- ODAP concentrations ranged from 0.06%DW to 0.44% DW, whereas l-hArg concentrations varied from 0.16% DW to 0.90% DW. Concentrations of β- ODAP and l-hArgshowed a positive correlation (r = 0.40, p < 0.01). Glutamic acid was identified as the most abundant free amino acid, followed byarginine, aspartic acid, and alanine. Genotypes with mean β- ODAP concentrations below 0.15% DW were identified as suitablefor cultivation and food processing. β- ODAP and l-hArg were significantly influenced by the environment, whereas the geno-type significantly affected l-hArg concentration. The location with the lowest amount of rainfall during the flowering periodexhibited the highest β- ODAP concentrations. For the first time, we identified genotypes and environmental conditions withpositive health-promoting and low neurotoxin attributes under Central European conditions
Open Data Kit (ODK): New Technology on Data Collection
No full textThis presentation was conducted during the training course on ODK for the "Consortium of Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC) Program" project, which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from January 26 to 28, 2026
5.2.1 a) Defining the flavor profile and malt performance of cultivars and farming practices
No full textWithin the framework of Task 5.2, testing and development activities were conducted regarding the malting processes for selected barley and durum wheat genotypes. The primary objective was to determine how specific cultivars and cultivation practices influence the final flavor profile and the efficiency of small-scale malt production, thereby enhancing profitability in rural areas.Standardization of processes through education A key element in achieving consistent quality was the collaboration with Birrificio Emiliano. They developed a detailed educational video specifically designed to teach home-based malting techniques. This video served as the technical foundation for the project and was distributed to all partners. The video provided a step-by-step demonstration of the entire process:
• Washing and soaking of the grains,
• The resting phase (air-resting),
• Germination under controlled conditions,
• Kilning (drying of the malt)
Deliverable achievement report Task 6.3 - D.6.3.1 - Analysis of the sale level in e-commerce platforms, final version
No full textThis report summarizes the preliminary assessment of e-commerce retail appreciation for
MountainHER food products, conducted under Task 6.3. The assessment was carried out in
partnership with established platforms in each participating country to test possible positioning of
products. The analysis of the results refines the business plan and is an input for the the cooperatives'
sales strategies (especially pricing)
In vitro screening for low methane forages and their in vivo evaluation: Approaches and pathways
No full textCH₄ emissions from ruminants are a major source of agricultural GHGs. CGIAR genebanks (Alliance, ILRI, and ICARDA) hold rich genetic diversity to discover low-methane forages (LMFs). A funnel-shaped screening approach was developed to progressively narrow down thousands of accessions to the most promising candidates for methane mitigation and high digestibility
Deliverable c01: Peer reviewed articles published
No full textThe project consortium has published 4 peer reviewed articles in international scientific journals. Due to the amount of data collected over the past four years and by different institutions and in collaboration with the sister project MedWhealth (PRIMA 2022) more articles are expected to be published over the next year