International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

Genetic analysis of sensitivity of Bonga and Menz sheep to climate variation under tropical conditions

Purpose This study aims to investigate the genetic background of performance sensitivity to climate variation in Bonga and Menz sheep, with the goal of improving the efficiency and sustainability of sheep production under variable climate conditions. Design/methodology/approach T...

Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization of Winter Wheat Genotypes for Grain Yield, Quality Traits, and HMW Glutenin Subunits

High grain yield (GY) and improved quality, including the presence of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS), determine the commercial success of a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety. A field study was conducted in 2021 and 2022 in Kibray, Uzbekistan, using 100 winter...

Improving Selection Efficiency at the Head Rows Stage of Winter Wheat Breeding by Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index

Visual selection in early stage of wheat breeding is usually implemented method. This study was conducted to compare breeders’ visual selection with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) selection. Three different selection protocols were used at Head Rows (HR) stage: Bre...

Effects of Replacing Concentrate Feed with Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) Pods on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, and Rumen Fermentation in Assaf Lambs

This study examined the effects of replacing 25% (P25) or 50% (P50) of concentrate dry matter (DM) with sun-dried carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pods on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, meat quality, serum biochemistry, and rumen microbiology in...

Comparative analysis of African cattle, sheep and goat genomes reveal convergence and divergence to contrasting environments

African livestock have co-existed and co-adapted to Africa’s diverse eco-climates which have likely impacted their genomes. Such impacts however remain poorly investigated across multiple livestock species. Using whole genome sequences of African cattle, sheep, and goats in Ethio...

Livestock roles in agroecological transitions in mixed crop-livestock systems of Tunisia

CONTEXT Despite the well-recognized role of livestock in providing goods and ecosystem services, agronomy research over the past decades has predominantly focused on plots and crops, often underestimating the contribution of animals to economic diversification within mixed farmin...