Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It is caused by a virus belonging to the family Picornaviridae, genus Aphthovirus. The disease results in significant economic losses due to reduced milk production, weight loss, infertility, and mortality of young .animals

In modern animal agriculture, the search for sustainable alternatives to antibiotics has become increasingly important. Probiotics have emerged as a promising solution, offering numerous benefits for livestock and poultry health, productivity, and welfare. These beneficial microorganisms support gut health and immune function, providing a natural approach to disease prevention and performance enhancement in animal production systems. The global animal probiotics market continues to grow as producers seek alternatives to antibiotics amid rising concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Probiotics represent a key component in the shift toward more sustainable and respon

Pests and diseases cause between 20-40% of all crop production to be lost each year, this equates to losing around $300 billion annually (FAO, 2023). Such losses contribute massively to food insecurity, which is particularly prevalent in African countries. Pesticides are typically used to control pests, but their excessive use has led to biodiversity loss and widespread pollution, which in turn harms humans and the environment. To combat this growing challenge, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies have been increasingly adopted. These strategies focus on a combination of cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical approaches to control pests in an environmen

Germination is the foundational event in every crop's life cycle. For organic farmers, achieving reliable, uniform germination is both an agronomic priority and a central challenge; one that must be addressed without synthetic pesticides, fungicides, or many conventional chemical treatments. Understanding the science of seed germination and the approved induction methods available in organic systems is essential for maximizing crop establishment, yield, and overall farm sustainability. This newsletter explores the biological mechanisms of seed germination, the key dormancy types that limit germination success, and the range of approved and emerging induction

In the quest for sustainable agriculture, biofertilizers have emerged as a game-changer. These natural fertilizers harness the power of microorganisms to enhance soil fertility and plant growth, offering an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers. When applied biofertilizers to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promote growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant.

Broomrape (Orobanche spp.) represents one of the most devastating parasitic weeds affecting Egyptian agriculture, causing substantial yield losses in economically important crops including fava beans (Vicia faba) and carrots (Daucus carota). As an obligate holoparasite completely lacking chlorophyll, broomrape depends entirely on host plants for water, nutrients, and carbohydrates. In Egypt, broomrape infestation has been a persistent challenge, particularly affecting fava bean production—a crop of immense cultural importance as the main ingredient of ful medames. Yield losses in heavily infested fava bean fields can reach 60% or more, while carrot quality