October 2020

For Media Enquiries

Mrs. Dima Al-Kahhale

Communication and Outreach Liaison

comms@biosaline.org.ae
+971 4 304 63 45

The machine was jointly designed and built by the Scientific Research Institute of Mechanization and Electrification of Agriculture; Tashkent State Agrarian University; and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).
They recently obtained a patent for their invention from the Intellectual Property Agency at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Scientists in Uzbekistan patent new quinoa seed processing machine

20 October 2020

Processing quinoa seed may soon become easier and cheaper thanks to a simple yet innovative machine developed by a group of inventors, including scientists from the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

They recently obtained a patent for their invention from the Intellectual Property Agency at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Co-edited by Dr. Redouane Choukr‐Allah, Senior Fellow at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), the book presents a detailed analysis of the latest research on new cropping systems suitable for marginal environments.
Providing case studies from various regions, the book makes out a strong case for the cultivation of alternative crops like quinoa, amaranth and others in marginal areas as a workable solution to the problems of water scarcity, soil and water salinity, drought and heat, which are exacerbated by climate change.

Alternative crops key to food security in marginal environments – new book

15 October 2020

A new book titled “Emerging Research in Alternative Crops” lays out how alternative crops can contribute to ensuring food security, better nutrition, improved livelihoods and environmental sustainability in marginal environments in different parts of the world.

As part of the study, scientists evaluated a diversity panel of 377 two-row spring barley genotypes during the vegetative (in controlled-environment conditions) and reproductive (in field conditions) stages using an "interaction model" which considered the interaction between treatment (control and salinity) and genetic markers.
In controlled-environment conditions, scientists used a high-throughput phenotyping platform to assess growth-related traits under control and saline conditions, whereas in field conditions, agronomic traits were measured on plots irrigated with either fresh or saline water (15 deciSiemens per meter).

Study discovers new salt tolerance traits in two-row spring barley

10 October 2020

Soil and water salinity is a major constraint on agriculture, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Caused by a range of man-made and natural factors, including poor irrigation practices and seawater intrusion, it is exacerbated by climate change.