Agricultural Research Organization

Unexpected Suppression of Tomato Fruit Cuticle Formation by Overexpression of a Key Cutin Biosynthetic Enzyme

Fruit cuticles regulate the diffusion of water, gases and solutes, functioning as essential protective interfaces against environmental and biotic stresses. Engineering cuticle structure and mechanics therefore represents a promising strategy for improving fruit quality and resil...

Failures to maintain CpG-methylation of CoRSIVs in bovine sperm are associated with low sire conception

CoRSIVs are genomic regions with CpG-methylation patterns that differ between individuals, yet are consistent between tissues, within the same individual; therefore, their methylation can be profiled in bodily fluids that are easily obtained, like blood and semen. Bearing in mind...

Impact of imidacloprid on honey bee hypopharyngeal glands at two levels: measurement reliability and laboratory versus field conditions

The use of neonicotinoids has undoubtedly behavioral and physiological effects on bees. This work aimed to ring test the digital measurement of honey bees’ hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs), validate the method against the subjectivity of the assessors, and assess differences in the i...

Eliminating serum dependency of bovine mesenchymal stem cell expansion via media composition and genetic screen

The advancement of cultured fat toward viable industrial production is currently hindered by economic and technical constraints, including the formulation of cost-effective, chemically defined culture media. This study addresses serum dependency in bovine mesenchymal stem cells (...

Monitoring of Cerambyx dux (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): insights from seasonal activity, seismic detection, and spatial spread

Abstract Longhorn beetles are generally considered minor pests in fruit orchards; however, some species can cause substantial economic losses. Cerambyx dux (Faldermann, 1837) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a major pest of stone and pome fruit crops in the Eastern Mediterranean. T...

Pine root exudate terpenoids associate with Mycobacterium sp. under summer drought in a mixed Mediterranean forest

Abstract Background Interactions between tree root exudates and rhizosphere bacteria are a key pathway influencing tree health in the forest. However, how this interaction occurs at the chemical level belowground in forest soil still remains unclear. We conducted a 2-year field e...

Vegetation Legacies Drive Subterranean Ecosystem Engineering and Soil Hydrology through Spalax Activity in Semi-Arid Mediterranean Grassland

Plot-level vegetation counts, mound metrics, soil physical/chemical variables (paired mound vs undisturbed), 2025.

Vegetation Legacies Drive Subterranean Ecosystem Engineering and Soil Hydrology through Spalax Activity in Semi-Arid Mediterranean Grassland

Plot-level vegetation counts, mound metrics, soil physical/chemical variables (paired mound vs undisturbed), 2025.