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Epidemiology and Diversity of Paratuberculosis in the Arabian Peninsula: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis with Implications for One Health
No full textParatuberculosis is a chronic zoonotic bacterial infection, primarily affecting ruminants. This review examines the disease in the Arabian Peninsula, focusing on distribution, molecular diversity, prevalence, and associated risk factors. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. After duplicate removal and eligibility screening, data extraction, analysis, and quality assessment were performed. Pathogen sequences were retrieved from NCBI GenBank for phylogenetic analysis. The review included a total of 31 published articles from 1997 to 2025, of which 26 were used in the meta-analysis. Most studies (n = 12) were published between 2011 and 2015, predominantly from Saudi Arabia (n = 22), with no reports from Qatar, Bahrain, or Yemen. The majority of the studies involved camels and sheep (n = 16 on each species), followed by cattle (n = 9), goats (n = 7), humans (n = 2), and buffalo (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis delineates two major clades—Type S and Type C—suggesting greater genetic diversity in Type S. The estimated pooled seroprevalence and pathogen prevalence in livestock ruminants were 8.1% and 22.4%, respectively. Herd-level estimated pooled seroprevalence was 26.9%. Small ruminants (19.3%) were more sero-prevalent than large ruminants (7.4%), with goats (28.7%) significantly (p < 0.01) more affected than sheep (21.5%), camel (9.8%), and cattle (6.6%). Clinical signs in ruminants included chronic diarrhea, emaciation, anorexia, alopecia, wry neck, and dehydration. The reviewed study patterns and findings suggest high pathogen diversity and a significant risk of transboundary transmission at the human–animal interface in this region. A One Health surveillance approach is crucial, particularly on farms with diarrheic and emaciated animals. Establishing a national surveillance plan and phased (short-, intermediate-, and long-term) control programs is essential to mitigate economic losses, limit transmission, overcome the cultural barrier, and protect public health
Towards Iron Biofortification of Banana (Musa spp.): A Comparative Study of Fruit Mineral Micronutrient Concentrations and Phylogenetic Insights Into Iron Homeostasis
No full textIron deficiency anemia (IDA) is alarmingly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, where populations often rely on nutrient-poor staple crops as their primary energy source. The East African highland banana (EAHB), a staple for millions in Uganda and most of East Africa's highlands, contains insufficient iron to meet dietary needs. Based on average daily consumption and recommended iron intake, biofortification of EAHBs with upwards of 18.3 mg/kg DW of iron could significantly reduce IDA in these communities. A comprehensive analysis of 43 Musa genotypes revealed that, although iron concentrations in banana fruit pulp were generally low, significantly higher concentrations were found in the pulp of wild species and Fe'i cultivars compared with other genome groups. In other tissues, such as the peel and seeds of wild fertile diploids, iron concentrations were consistently higher, underscoring the critical role of this mineral in photosynthesis and seed development. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses across five selected banana cultivars identified 37 genes associated with iron homeostasis, spanning six distinct protein families, and revealed distinct differences between Fe'i and the commercially important cultivar, Cavendish. A tissue-specific differential gene expression study in Cavendish further identified key regulators of iron homeostasis in this crop. These findings provide a foundational resource for the biofortification of this important fruit and contribute to addressing a persistent global health challenge
Queen turnover, nest usurpation and colony mortality in wild nests of the stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
No full textSocial bees of the tribe Meliponini (stingless bees) are used as managed pollinators of crops throughout the world's tropical and subtropical regions. On Australia's East Coast, two native species—Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi—are the most widely propagated in hives, but knowledge of their biology and ecology in natural nests remains poorly documented. Here we monitor a wild population of Tetragonula in remnant forest in south-east Queensland over a 5-year period to assess three aspects of their life history: (i) rates of colony mortality, (ii) rates of queen turnover and (iii) incidences of nest usurpation. The latter occurs when one colony usurps the nest cavity of another, installing its own queen and enslaving the existing workers and brood. The range of T. hockingsi has increased in recent decades due to hive trade and southward range expansion. Our study area was located in the southern region of overlap with T. carbonaria. A total of 58 wild colonies were identified within the study site (1.5 nests per hectare), three-quarters of which were T. carbonaria. Colony mortality averaged 8.3% per year, such that 40% of colonies had died by the end of the 5-year study interval. Sequencing of mitochondrial-COI and microsatellite genotyping of workers at four time points was used to infer that queen turnover (i.e., queens replaced by daughter queens) typically occurs every 20–30 months. Eight cases were detected consistent with interspecific nest usurpation, in all of which T. hockingsi replaced T. carbonaria. However, T. hockingsi colonies also had lower annual survivorship than those of T. carbonaria, resulting in a stable proportion of each species in the study area over time. Overall, results show that although nest occupancy by Tetragonula colonies is typically several years, colony death and nest usurpation are common in wild populations, and community composition is shaped by interspecific differences in both usurpation success and annual mortality
Ding dong the witch is (nearly) dead – the end is in sight for the Red Witchweed Eradication Program
No full textThe first recorded detection of red witchweed in Australia occurred on a Mackay region sugarcane farm in July 2013. Following extensive delimitation surveillance, a total of eight neighbouring properties were confirmed as infested. In response, 2015 marked the inception of a joint funding initiative for an integrated research and treatment eradication program aimed at assessing and applying the most efficacious eradication strategies suitable for the Mackay environment. The objective was to extirpate the invasive species and exhaust its soil seedbank.
After almost a decade of consistent monitoring and eradication efforts, the Program is poised to successfully eliminate red witchweed by the projected deadline of June 30, 2025. To date, quarantine measures have been lifted from six properties (98% of quarantined land), with only 2.2 hectares remaining under active treatment. This collaborative approach involving industry and government stakeholders instils confidence that the Red Witchweed Eradication Program will be the first in the world to successfully eradicate this highly invasive plant species
Responses of Fabaceae seed lots to controlled ageing tests
No full textThe controlled ageing test (CAT) seeks to inform the persistence of weed seeds using a short-term laboratory test. In the CAT, seed lots are exposed to an ageing environment of 45 oC and 60% humidity for up to 203 days. The main output is the point at which relative germinability drops to 50% of the germinability prior to ageing (P50 value). Data can be compared to other sources such as long-term burial studies or used to categorise the potential longevity of weeds without longer term data sources. Seed of 12 weeds from the Fabaceae family have been assessed once or twice in the CAT environment. There was variation within and between genera of Fabaceae, with the laboratory test suggesting 11 of the 12 weeds are more likely to form a persistent seed bank, greater than 3 years
Agricultural developments on the rangelands of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China, with a special emphasis on the role of Tibetan women
No full textTibetan women play integral roles in agriculture on the rangelands of the high plateau of the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) in China. Agricultural development was the focus of ACIAR (Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research) funded projects in Tibet including capturing socioeconomic facets. Two projects that the authors worked on (2009-2012) provided the opportunity to explore firsthand livestock production systems in pastoral and crop-based areas of TAR. This paper aims to offer sociocultural insights, and to highlight the role of women in Tibet as enablers of change. For agricultural developments to proceed with greater success it will be important that women are included in changing practice
Long-term glyphosate application and its effects on soil total nitrogen and microbial composition two years after application stopped in biochar-amended soil
No full textGlyphosate is widely used in horticultural land management practices, but its environmental risks, especially in biochar-amended soil, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repeated glyphosate applications on biochar-amended- soils, focusing on changes in soil nitrogen (N) cycling, soil microbial diversity, and community structure. The experiment was conducted in a macadamia orchard where wood-based biochar had been applied for five years prior to our study. Simultaneously, glyphosate (Roundup®) had been applied at the recommended label rate (4 L ha−1) with active ingredient of glyphosate of 360 g L−1, in a strip under tree canopy for 12 years, until its use was stopped two years prior to our sample collection. Thus, biochar and glyphosate were applied concurrently for three years before glyphosate use was stopped. Soil samples were collected from three areas, including: under the tree canopy with and without a history of glyphosate application; and areas outside the tree canopy with no history of glyphosate application. Changes in foliar and soil total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and soil N isotope composition (δ15N), and microbial community composition, were subsequently assessed. Our findings revealed that soil TN and δ15N were significantly higher under tree canopy with a history of glyphosate application compared with areas without glyphosate application history likely due to the die back of weed because the other sections were mechanically managed. Glyphosate residues were also found under and outside tree canopy where no glyphosate was applied. Therefore, higher TN and δ15N under tree canopy could not directly be attributed to glyphosate application. Overall, neither glyphosate nor biochar influenced the soil microbial diversity and community structure. This study suggested that glyphosate application and farm management practices may have long-term implications for soil N cycling, even after application has stopped
Can the principles of multipaddock grazing accelerate land condition recovery?
No full textRecovery of land condition would significantly improve livestock carrying capacity and ecosystem services on many properties in northern Australia. Unfortunately, this is often extremely slow, even with significantly reduced stocking rates and pasture resting. There is interest amongst graziers in using the principles of intensive, multi-paddock, rotational grazing systems to accelerate recovery. However, evidence for their effectivity relative to conventional recommendations is often anecdotal and sometimes contradictory.
To test the ability of these principles to accelerate land condition recovery, a short duration grazing treatment (SDG) was implemented on two poor condition paddocks in a long-term grazing trial in north Queensland, Australia. Two experienced multi-paddock practitioners have been engaged to guide management. The treatment results can assist to develop cost-effective, evidence-based guidelines to accelerate recovery on grazing lands in northern Australia
Potential parasitoids for management of fall armyworm ( Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae]) in horticulture systems of tropical Australia
No full textThe fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda , is a highly polyphagous pest, native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas that invaded the Australian mainland in 2020. Since its incursion into Australia, management has largely relied on the use of different synthetic insecticides. Given pesticide resistance genes and reduced sensitivities to a variety of pesticides are already present in the population, there is a need to investigate alternative management approaches that can be incorporated into an IPM programme such as biological control. A fundamental step in establishing the potential of biological control is identifying the potential natural enemies that may be deployed in pest management. In this study, we undertook a series of surveys to identify potential parasitoids for fall armyworm and assessed parasitism rates in Western Australia (WA) and the Northern Territory (NT). Approximately, 1900 larvae of fall armyworm were sourced from maize, sweet corn, okra and sorghum fields, reared and observed for the emergence of parasitoids. Ten species of larval parasitoids from five families were recorded during the surveys with Cotesia ruficrus (Haliday) (56.14%) and Exorista xanthaspis (Wiedemann) (50%) being the most abundant larval species in WA and NT, respectively. Other parasitoids found include four recently described species, Euplectrus frugiperdata Fagan‐Jeffries, Chelonus trojanus Fagan‐Jeffries, Coccygidium necatrix Atkin‐Zaldivar & Fagan‐Jeffries, Coccygidium mellosiheroine Atkin‐Zaldivar & Fagan‐Jeffries, and previously named species, Megaselia scalaris (Loew) and some unidentified Tachinidae. Two species of egg parasitoids, Trichogramma pretiosum (Riley) and Telenomus remus (Nixon), were recovered with field parasitism rates of 7.81% and 10.16%, respectively. Overall, the occurrence of potential egg and larval parasitoids in Australian horticulture systems provides a unique platform to develop a conservation or augmentative biological control approach to manage fall armyworm in Australia
Performance of particleboard incorporating recycled rubber from waste tyres
No full textRecycling end-of-life tyres (EOLT) is a critical global challenge, aggravated by the increasing demand for tyres and their short lifespan. This study explored the effect of incorporating recycled rubber particles from EOLT into particleboard on the properties of the resulting panels. Particleboard panels were manufactured and tested for performance according to the Australian Standard AS/NZS 4266.1 (2017), and the results were benchmarked against Australian Standards (AS 1859.1 2017). These tests included bending strength and stiffness, thickness swelling, internal bond, and other key performance properties. The findings demonstrated that incorporating recycled rubber into particleboards reduced bending stiffness and strength as rubber content increased; however, panels with up to 30% rubber still met or exceeded the requirements for standard (STD) and moisture-resistant (MR) particleboard. Additionally, increasing rubber content improved moisture resistance, and all particleboards tested surpassed the moisture resistance requirements for both STD and MR classifications