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Screening of lentil genotypes against stemphylium blight disease and molecular identification of causal organism
No full textDuring the cropping seasons of 2019–20, 2020–21, and 2021–22, respectively, lentil genotypes were screened against Stemphylium blight using the Alpha-Lattice Design with three replications at Pulses Research Centre, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna-6620 under natural and artificial epiphytotic conditions. In case of artificial inoculum condition, the artificial cultured inoculums were sprayed at 1.3 × 105 spores/mL concentration of spores for spore inoculation in the experimental plots. The disease severity data was recorded following 1–9 disease rating scale and Area under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) was also estimated. Considering the disease severity and Area under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC) under natural epiphytotic condition none of the genotype was identified as Resistant, and Very Susceptible but seven genotypes namely BARI Masur-9, BARI Masur-8, PRECOZ, BLX-12004-5, RL-12-181, BLX 10001-1, and BLX 09015 were found as Moderately Resistance-Moderately Susceptible genotypes against Stemphylium blight disease with disease rating scale 4, 16 to 30% disease infection rate, and average estimated AUDPC 81–120 among the 60 lentil genotypes. But in case of artificial inoculation during cropping season 2021-22, only three genotypes BARI Masur-9, PRECOZ, and BLX 09015 were identified as Moderately Susceptible. Disease severity was recorded higher in artificial inoculation compared to natural epiphytotic condition. Considering the yield performance under natural and artificial inoculation the genotypes BARI Masur-9, PRECOZ, BARI Masur-8, LRIL-21-112-1-1-1-1-6, BLX-12004-5, BLX 10001-1, BLX 09015, and RL-12-181 were identified Moderately-Resistant to Moderately-Susceptible genotypes with better yield performance under disease infestation
Malnutrition and violent conflict in a heating world: A mediation analysis on the climate–conflict nexus in Nigeria Get access Arrow
No full textClimate variability is increasingly gaining recognition as a factor exacerbating risks to peace in Africa, particularly in contexts characterized by weak institutions and fragile agri-food systems. Existing literature has highlighted the intricate indirect pathways that can lead to increasing conflicts following a climatic shock, including reduced agricultural yields, increased food insecurity, and other socio-economic channels that are highly context-specific as well as difficult to quantify. This study investigates the nexus between climate variability (proxied by temperature anomalies) and violent conflicts as mediated by child acute malnutrition in Nigeria. Starting from previous quantitative analyses that implicitly assumed the existence of a singular transmission pathway linking climate variability to conflict, this study employs a structural equation model that accommodates the presence of multiple, albeit unobserved, mediating factors. In doing so, it pioneers the use of children’s nutritional indicators as mediating factors to capture the multidimensional nature of the climate–conflict relationship. The novel approach proposed for this analysis increases the accuracy of estimating the indirect impacts of climate variability on conflict, as mediated by child nutritional outcomes, and contributes to the literature linked to the humanitarian, development and peace nexus. From a policy perspective, our findings aim to inform and support identifying policies and interventions aimed at mitigating the threat posed by climate variability to human security through the nutrition channel
A tool for the estimation of the magnitudes and monetary values of ESS losses and returns on investment to combat agricultural resources degradation
No full textReversing the effects of agricultural resource degradation – and its implications for ecosystem
services (ESS) – require targeted policy action. Comprehensive and consistent estimates of the
magnitudes and monetary values of the loss of ESS due to inaction and avoided losses due to action
to prevent and reverse agricultural resource degradation (ARD) can provide strong evidence that
motivate investment and unlock financing mechanisms. In this paper, we present a decision support
tool called “Analysis Pack for Economics of Agricultural Resource Degradation and Ecosystem
Service Losses (APEARD)” which we developed not only to provide estimates of losses for
different ESS, but also to evaluate the returns on investment and sustainability of co-benefits of
actions. A national-scale application of APEARD, presented here only as proof of its versatility,
shows that inaction on ARD is costing Uzbekistan potential production of at least 2 million tons
of food, 63.8 thousand tons of woody biomass, and 477 thousand tons of forage, and 18.2 billion
cubic meters of irrigation water, and 194 million tons of soil annually. ARD is also causing the
emission of 1.6 million tons of carbon annually, among other hazards. These impacts on ESS are
valued at more than US2.9 billion over 10 years to implement
recommended packages of policy, institutional, and technological innovations to combat ARD, the
country would reap returns worth $47.9 billion at a benefit-cost ratio of 16.5
Support to Resilient Seed System Development for Community Seed Banks in Western Kenya
No full textFrom 26 to 29 August 2025, a team from the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, visited Kisumu County to follow up on the Community Seed Bank (CSB) support program initiated under the CGIAR Nature Positive Solutions Initiative.
The mission focused on the following key activities:
• Upgrading and operationalizing post-harvest seed processing equipment provided under the N+ initiative.
• Training CSB members on post-harvest handling, seed quality, and management; and
• Designing and implementing demonstration activities related to crop catalogues and the enhancement of the Early Generation Seed (EGS) production manual
Enhanced agricultural land use/land cover classification in the Nile Delta using Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data and machine learning
No full textAccurate and timely Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) classification is crucial for effective agricultural planning
and decision-making, particularly in regions like the Nile Delta, Egypt, where LULC is rapidly changing. This
study addresses the challenge of classifying small, fragmented agricultural fields and road networks by
leveraging the synergistic potential of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data, combined with Machine Learning (ML) and
Deep Learning (DL) techniques. Unlike previous studies that often rely on Sentinel-2 or image-based DL, this
research introduces a novel approach: a pixel-based ML classification using both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data.
This strategy allowed to effectively capture the spectral and textural information crucial for distinguishing small
features, which are often missed by traditional methods. Using distinct temporal datasets and validated ground
truth annotations, we trained and tested several ML and DL models, including XGB, Support Vector Classifier, KNearest
Neighbor, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and LSTM. XGB achieved the highest overall accuracy (94.4
%), whereas Random Forest produced the most accurate map with independent data (91.4 % Overall Accuracy).
Integrating Sentinel-1 with Sentinel-2 data improved classification accuracy by 1–7 % compared to using
Sentinel-2 alone. Notably, the pixel-based ML approach yielded reliable predictions for small road areas and
agricultural fields, which are often challenging to map accurately. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of
integrating multi-sensor data with advanced ML/DL for improved LULC classification, particularly for small
feature mapping, thus providing critical information for enhanced agricultural planning and decision-making in
the Nile Delta
Mesoporous biochar reshapes soil water dynamics under shallow groundwater: interactions with nitrogen management
No full textShallow groundwater tables influence nearly one-quarter of global croplands, yet the role of biochar in such hydropedological settings remains poorly understood. This study investigated how mesoporous biochar interacts with nitrogen fertilization to modify soil properties, water dynamics, and irrigation requirements in a clay loam soil of the Nile Delta, Egypt. A two-season field experiment using randomized complete block design tested biochar (35 t ha-1) combined with three nitrogen levels (100, 80, and 50% of the common farmer practice). Biochar significantly increased available N, Ca, and Mg and altered soil moisture profile: Instead of monotonic moisture increase typical of shallow groundwater conditions, an S-shaped distribution developed within the 0–30 cm layer. Drainage losses consistently declined when biochar was combined with moderate nitrogen input. Although crop yield and fruit quality responses were not statistically significant, the biochar-nitrogen combination reduced irrigation demand by ~82 m3 ha-1 yr-1 compared to conventional management. When scaled regionally under same environmental conditions, this strategy could save >80 million m3 of irrigation water annually in Egypt, assuming 100% irrigation efficiency. These findings show that mesoporous biochar can reshape root-zone water dynamics under shallow groundwater, offering a promising strategy to enhance water-use efficiency in water-scarce regions
APSIM Next Generation (APSIMx) Online Training Report
No full textSoil, Water, Agronomy (SWA) Program of ICARDA organized and delivered a four-day intensive
online training on APSIM Next Generation (APSIMx) from 15–18 December 2025. The training
course was designed for beginner-to-intermediate users, with a strong focus on dryland and
climate-smart farming systems relevant to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and
CWANA, while also welcoming participants from beyond the region. The training followed a
practical, end-to-end workflow that moved from an agronomic question to defensible,
publishable modeling outputs: (i) building robust baseline simulations (soil, climate, cultivar and
management), (ii) diagnosing model behavior using process outputs, (iii) calibration and
evaluation using standard goodness-of-fit metrics (e.g., RMSE, bias and R²), and (iv) scenario
and factorial experimentation for decision support through Genotype × Environment ×
Management (GxExM) analysis.
Interest exceeded available seats. A total of 1,953 applications were received (1,840 unique
applicants by email), from which 133 participants were selected (approx. 7.2% selection rate).
Attendance was 60+ participants from 20+ countries (as reported in training communications).
Key immediate outcomes included strengthened participant capability to set up and interpret
APSIMx simulations; improved understanding of calibration/evaluation and uncertainty
concepts; and applied scenario design for management and climate-risk analysis (sowing
windows, cultivar choice, nutrient and irrigation strategies, and rotations). CSIRO/APSIM
experts—led by Dr. Neil Huth and colleagues—provided updated APSIMx insights and real-time
technical support through interactive Q&A. The course also reinforced connections with the
broader AgMIP community through opening remarks by Dr. Alex Ruane (NASA GISS/AgMIP), and
emphasized continuity and application through closing remarks from Dr. Vinay Nangia (ICARDA
SWA Program lead). A post-training community of practice was initiated (WhatsApp group of 58
crop simulation modelers spanning 15+ countries) to sustain peer support and future
collaboration. This report consolidates the training rationale, design, and technical modules,
and summarizes participant pipeline analytics from the applicant and selected-candidate
databases. It also documents recommendations for strengthening future deliveries, including
pre-training onboarding, two-track programming, region-specific datasets, and structured
follow-up clinics
D5.2.1b Determine flavour mixtures and malt performances of cultivars and practices
No full textThe deliverable has been successfully completed by fully documenting and consolidating all
technical, sensory, and production-related information associated with the Brigosa beer into
a single structured text suitable for Word format submission. The document demonstrates
achievement through the comprehensive inclusion of rationale, classification tables,
brewing parameters, and sensory targets.
The achievement is demonstrated through:
• A complete explanation of the low IBU selection and its sensory justification
• Clearly structured tables detailing IBU classification, mash program, malt bill, and
hop schedule
• Detailed technical brewing data covering water chemistry, fermentation, and
production scale
• A final technical summary aligning product objectives with measurable brewing
parameters
Together, the included descriptions and tables clearly demonstrate that the beer meets its
intended design goals of balance, drinkability, and malt-forward elegance, fulfilling all stated
technical and sensory objectives
Farmer-Led Demonstration with National Research and Extension: Bringing Proven Crop Diversification Option from Research Stations to Farmers’ Field
No full textIn Morocco’s rainfed drylands, cereal monocropping dominates the agricultural landscape, with more than 80% of cultivated land under cereal–cereal rotation. This practice limits soil fertility, income stability, and resilience to drought. ICARDA, in collaboration with national partners, has tested a range of diversification options at research stations and in farmers’ fields. Results show that including legumes and other low water–requiring, nutrient-dense crops in cereal systems can increase system productivity, improve nutritional outputs, enhance water-use efficiency, and gradually improve soil health.
Despite these clear benefits, adoption of diversified cropping remains limited. To bridge the gap between research and practice, ICARDA, INRA, ONCA, and lead farmers co-designed farmer-led demonstrations of:
• Diverse low-water, nutrient-dense crops grown with wheat, and
• Relay/intercropping systems such as lentil–chickpea and lentil–onion.
Farmer-led, participatory demonstrations in Ouazzane and Ezzhiliga clearly show that diversified cropping systems are both technically feasible and socially acceptable in Morocco’s rainfed drylands when all key actors move together. The collaboration between ICARDA, INRA, ONCA, and lead farmers turned research results into field-based learning platforms where farmers could see, question, and adapt diversification options to their own conditions.
By allowing farmers to harvest two to three crops per year from the same land, these systems directly support household food availability, income diversification, and resilience to rainfall variability. They also open pathways for improved soil fertility, better use of limited water, and more nutrient-dense diets.
With continued support and investment in this multi-stakeholder, farmer-centered scaling approach, crop diversification can move from isolated demonstrations to a mainstream strategy for climate-resilient, sustainable agriculture in Morocco’s drylands
Analyse coûts-bénéfices de la transition agroécologique dans l’oléiculture irriguée : enseignements de la communauté d’Elles, Kef
No full textLe secteur de l’huile d’olive occupe une position stratégique en Tunisie, contribuant à environ 17 % de la valeur ajoutée agricole et soutenant l’emploi, la sécurité alimentaire et le développement des exportations. Cependant, le système de production dominant, caractérisé par une utilisation intensive des intrants et une forte pression sur les ressources en eau et en sols, devient de plus en plus insoutenable face au changement climatique, à l’incertitude économique et à la dégradation de l’environnement.
Cette étude évalue l’adoption de pratiques agroécologiques dans l’oléiculture à l’aide d’une analyse coûts–bénéfices (ACB), qui examine de manière systématique l’ensemble des coûts et des bénéfices afin de déterminer la faisabilité économique et la durabilité à long terme. L’analyse prend en compte à la fois les dimensions financières et environnementales, offrant ainsi une évaluation holistique du modèle agroécologique.
L’objectif est d’évaluer la rentabilité et l’impact environnemental sur une période de dix ans, un horizon temporel recommandé par les experts de l’Institut de l’Olivier afin de saisir les effets à moyen et long terme. Les principaux indicateurs financiers, notamment le taux de rentabilité interne (TRI) et la valeur actuelle nette (VAN), sont utilisés pour mesurer la viabilité économique, tandis que des évaluations complémentaires portent sur les bénéfices environnementaux. En combinant les analyses économiques et écologiques, l’étude fournit des éléments probants pour orienter la prise de décision et soutenir le développement d’une production d’huile d’olive durable, résiliente et respectueuse de l’environnement en Tunisie