FAAB Newsletter, February 2026

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From the Director

The semester break provides an excellent opportunity to reflect and consider how we can continue advancing both teaching and research at the institute. On the research front, we are investing significant effort in recruiting outstanding new researchers and ensuring they have access to the infrastructure needed to thrive. As detailed below, our researchers continue to secure substantial competitive grants. Notably, over the past year the institute’s overall research budget has increased significantly, an achievement made possible by the dedication and hard work of our entire community. I am confident that we can maintain this momentum and continue realizing our full potential. Despite the semester break, we successfully offered two intensive courses. The course “UAVs for Environmental and Agricultural Research,” led by Dr. Tarin Paz-Kagan and Dr. Tamir Caras, enrolled 16 students. The course “Plant Stress Indicators,” led by Prof. Shimon Rachmilevitch, also enrolled 16 students. A substantial proportion of participants came from outside the Albert Katz School, providing an excellent opportunity to showcase our research and teaching infrastructure. These concentrated courses exemplify our approach to education in the age of AI: integrating strong theoretical foundations with hands-on laboratory and field measurements, while strengthening advanced data analysis skills. Well done to all involved!

Our research farms in Mashash and Evnari continue to undergo significant upgrades. Renovations are ongoing to adapt buildings for advanced research infrastructure. At Evnari Farm, a flux tower will soon be installed as part of a national project led by Prof. Efrat Sheffer of the Hebrew University. At Mashash Farm, numerous sensors will be deployed under a national project led by Prof. Nurit Agam to measure water and energy fluxes in arid environments. During March, we will hold our second three-day teaching retreat at Evnari Farm, where students will focus on improving their scientific writing skills. This retreat is organized in collaboration with the School of Sustainability and Climate Change. Faculty members interested in organizing similar retreats to enhance teaching or research activities are warmly invited. We are happy to assist and host.

Finally, the upcoming Prof. Michael Evenari Symposium will be dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Dilia Kool. Dilia completed her Ph.D. at our institute and later served as a faculty member in the Department of Environmental, Geoinformatics and Urban Planning Sciences at BGU. The symposium will take place on May 20 and will focus on processes across the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum in extreme environments. Please save the date.

Manuscript of the Month

Dual role of benzoxazinoids in plant response to combined drought stress and aphid feeding

L. K. Hao, Z. Batyrshina, Y. Goldstein, A. Mishra, T. G. Köllner, B. Yaakov, V. Tzin

Plants rarely face one stress at a time. In cereal crops, the specialized metabolites benzoxazinoids (BXDs) are well known for deterring herbivores, but they also rise during abiotic stress, raising the question of what BXDs do when drought and insect attack occur together. In this study, we examined wheat (Triticum aestivum) seedlings exposed to drought, bird cherry–oat aphid (Rhopalosiphum padi) feeding, or both, combining physiological measurements with metabolite profiling and gene-expression analyses.

Aphids feeding on drought-stressed plants performed worse and showed altered expression of stress-related genes, consistent with drought-stressed wheat leaves accumulating higher levels of defensive BXDs and callose (a cell-wall polysaccharide that can obstruct phloem access). On the plant side, genes involved in BXD biosynthesis (BX genes), callose formation (GSL/Glucan synthase-like genes), and selected MYB transcription factors were induced by drought and by aphid feeding, often showing additive upregulation under combined stress. The results support a model in which drought-enhanced BXD accumulation—likely regulated by MYBs—promotes callose deposition, helping maintain plant performance under drought while also reducing aphid feeding success.

Meet the Technician: Dr. Liat Ronen

My name is Liat Ronen, and I am the new technician and research assistant in the labs of Prof. Dina Zilberg and Prof. Gideon Grafi, at the French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands. The labs work on two different areas of research, fish health in one and plant epigenetics in the other, and I am currently enjoying the exposure to those two interesting fields.
I earned my B.Sc. and M.Sc. with highest honors in chemical engineering, and my Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, all from the Technion in Haifa. I also remained as a postdoctoral fellow at the Technion. During this period, I worked on the development of bio-polymers for drug release and the self-assembly of polymeric membranes, as well as cryo-TEM and cryo-SEM characterization.
From there, I transitioned to the private sector, working as a project manager in the process development department of a bio-tech company in Migdal Ha’Emeque. When we moved as a family to the USA, I worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Temple University, PA, studying the effect of microgravity on embryonic stem cells.
After we returned to Israel and settled in the Midrasha in 2020, I started working as a technician and research assistant in Idan Cohen’s lab in the Health Sciences Department at BGU. The lab studies the epigenetics of the skin.
Aside from my lab work, I enjoy spending time with my family, including our beautiful dog, and hiking with them. I like sharing my love for science with my own kids and with their friends, so I come to their schools a couple of times every year to do some fun experiments. I also enjoy reading, and I volunteer at the local library when I find the time.

Projects, Prizes, and Fellowships

Goldinger Trust

Title: Developing Prickly Pear Fruit as a Dietary Intervention for Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

Team: Noemi Tel-Zur, FAAB. Collaborators: Prof. Orly Sarid, The Spitzer Department of Social Work, BGU; Dr. Orli Grinstein-Cohen, Faculty of Health Sciences, BGU
Abstract:

In a summer pilot study conducted through our interdisciplinary collaboration, fresh fruit consumption improved the quality of life in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), consistent with prior evidence of reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.
This project aims to develop prickly pear as a complementary treatment for women with FMS by: (i) characterizing seasonal differences in fruit phytochemical composition; (ii) linking seasonal metabolomic profiles with clinical outcomes; and (iii) assessing effects on work participation in relation to fruit seasonality.
By improving health outcomes, this approach may enhance work participation among women with FMS while supporting prickly pear value chains and livelihoods in dryland regions.

Title: Eco-Friendly or Not? Assessing the Environmental Impact of Novel Biodegradable Plastic Mulch: Degradation Rates, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Soil Microbiome Dynamics
Team: Ilya Gelfand, FAAB and Osnat Gillor, ZIWR
Abstract:

Plastic mulch helps farms conserve water, warm soils, and suppress weeds, but the most common type of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) does not break down, leaving plastic residues and microplastics in fields. Biodegradable mulches (BDMs) offer a promising alternative, yet their real-world effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and soil health in arid systems are unclear. This project tests several commercial BDMs in Western Negev soils under controlled conditions to answer three questions: Do BDMs truly degrade in these soils? How do they change carbon and nitrogen cycling and microbial communities? And do they lower net climate impact compared with LDPE? We will track soil quality, microbial activity and diversity, and CO₂ and N₂O fluxes over six months, translating results into CO₂-equivalents to compare the materials fairly. The outcome will be evidence-based guidance for selecting BDM formulations that increase soil organic matter, maintain yields, and reduce emissions. By providing a durable alternative to LDPE that minimizes plastic contamination, this work supports climate-smart agriculture and the Western Negev’s recovery and long-term resilience.

Title: From Aquaculture Wastewater to Liquid Fertilizer: A Novel Electrochemical Approach for Water Treatment and Disinfection in Recirculating Aquaculture

Team: Dina Zilberg, FAAB, and Avner Ronen, ZIWR

Third year.

Title: Upgrading Saline Water for High Value Crops in Southern Israel

Team: Naftali Lazarovitch, FAAB, and Jack Gilron, ZIWR

Third year.

Title: New Generation Precision Aquaculture: Real-Time, Low-Cost Water Quality Monitoring and Control to Enhance Productivity and Reduce Environmental Impact

Team:Dina Zilberg, FAAB, Elad Levintal and Amit Gross, ZIWR

Third year.

The Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change

Title: AAre Biotic, Abiotic, or Coupled Biotic-Abiotic Processes Responsible for Nitrogen Oxide Emissions Following the Rewetting of Dry Soils?

Team: Ilya Gelfand (FAAB, BGU) and Maya Engel (HUJI)

Abstract:

Nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Significant N2O emissions are observed during the rewetting of dry soils. Both biotic and abiotic processes are hypothesized to drive this N2O generation; however, the underlying mechanisms under such conditions remain largely unknown. In this study, we will combine field and laboratory experiments to provide process-level understanding of the N cycle in arid environments (custom to Israel) experiencing frequent droughts followed by intense rainfalls.

Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR)

Title: Enhancing N and P Efficiency in Semi-Arid Agriculture with Inhibitors and Innovative Fertilizers for Sustainability

Team: Ran Erel (ARO), Ilya Gelfand (FAAB, BGU), Shahar Baram (ARO), Osnat Gillor (ZIWR, BGU)

Abstract:

Enhancing nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) use efficiency (NUE and PUE) is critical for improving the sustainability of cropping systems in semi-arid and Mediterranean regions. This project will evaluate innovative fertilization strategies designed to optimize nutrient uptake while minimizing environmental losses in two contrasting agroecosystems: the loam-loess soils of the Negev Desert and the alluvial-clayey soils of the Jezreel Valley.
Large-scale field trials will be implemented using a randomized block design with six replicates per treatment. The study will assess the agronomic and environmental performance of urease and nitrification inhibitors, crop-specific controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs), and alternative P sources including polyphosphates and struvite. Both fertigation (fertilization + irrigation) and conventional basal fertilizer application methods will be compared, enabling evaluation of 4R nutrient stewardship practices under realistic, region-specific production systems.
Crop rotations will reflect local practices, including wheat, tomato, maize, and cotton in the Jezreel Valley and the addition of potato in the Negev. Soil and plant sampling will track nutrient dynamics, microbial activity, enzymatic processes related to N and P cycling, greenhouse gas emissions (N2O, NH3, CO2), and overall crop productivity across multiple growing seasons.
This research integrates hypothesis-driven experimentation with applied agronomic practices to develop scalable, climate-smart fertilization strategies. The results will provide regionally relevant, globally applicable recommendations to improve nutrient use efficiency, reduce emissions, and sustain crop yields in areas facing water constraints and soil degradation.

Women in High-Tech Master’s (Research Track)

M.Sc. student Livya Paller, supervised by Arnon Karnieli, FAAB.

Kreitman short-term postdoctoral fellowship

Ph.D.student Chemweno Sharon, supervised by Naftali Lazarovitch and Jhonathan Ephrath, FAAB.

Prof. Avigad Vonshak Receives the Life & Career Award

We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Prof. Avigad Vonshak on being honored with the prestigious Life & Career Award at AlgaEurope 2025 in Riga, Latvia. This award recognizes Prof. Vonshak’s monumental contributions to the fields of phycology and applied biotechnology, spanning over four decades of pioneering research. As a world-renowned expert on the physiology of microalgae and as a trailblazer in the industrial-scale cultivation of Spirulina, his work has fundamentally shaped the global algae bioeconomy. Beyond his scientific achievements, this distinction celebrates his enduring leadership within the European Algae Biomass Association (EABA) and his role in mentoring generations of scholars.

Thirty Years of Research: Citation Outliers and Evolving Directions: Research Directions of a Plant Scientist, by Aaron Fait

After thirty years of research and 100 research papers published in international peer-reviewed journals, it is time to ask myself: what impact has my research had on the scientific community?

Generally, and my case is no exception, citations are dependent on the publication’s age.

However, there are outliers, both good and bad. For example, one outstandingly poorly cited publication was "Chemical Variation Among Indigenous Populations of Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare in Israel" published in Planta Médica in 1999 together with Oz Barazani. As a young biologist doing my MSc in plant population chemoecology, I travelled around Israel in search for wild fennel populations; it was fascinating. Well, unfortunately, it did not really interest the greater scientific community...

But there were a few surprisingly positive outliers: In the first, a favorite of mine, written with the late Hillel Fromm and Ally Fernie and with over 800 citations, I described the claims in favor of a central metabolic role for the GABA-shunt in plants. Eight years later, in a joint effort with Simone Diego Castellarin, we investigated the metabolome and transcriptome of white grapes to resolve the regulation of grape metabolism under drought. Third in the list is a more recent (2021) contribution of mine to a Nature-published paper by Alexander Aksenov, a machine learning protocol for the auto deconvolution of GC-MS data. Fourth in the outlier's shortlist, and quite surprisingly, is a super recent, one-year-old (!) detailed review paper that Dr. Kidanemaryam Reta wrote, closing out his PhD in my lab. It is a manuscript that matured and grew over the past few years as we were working intensively on viticulture in arid and semiarid environments and its relevance to desertification prone areas, including the Mediterranean Basin.

In 10 years from now, we will see what my current research directions will show.

Presentation at the AgriTech 2026 Conference

Dr. Tarin Paz-Kagan presented a talk titled "Farming from Above: Turning Satellite and Data Fusion into Better Decisions"
on the Digital Agriculture and AI panel at the AgriTech Conference at the ARO Volcani Center, Israel.

Congratulations and Best Wishes

In recent months, the Institute has bid a bittersweet farewell to three of its staff members, Ilana Saler, Nurit Novoplansky, and Tamar Sinai, as they conclude their professional journey and begin retirement.
Their departure marks the end of an era for our department, but also the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in their lives.
Throughout the years, each of them has played an essential role in our Institute’s success.
Their dedication, professionalism, and deep commitment to excellence shaped our workplace culture and served as an inspiration to all of us.
They were mentors, partners, and friends.
On behalf of the entire FAAB, we express our deep appreciation and gratitude.
Thank you for the years of partnership, hard work, kindness, and friendship. Your impact will remain part of the Institute’s story for years to come.

Congratulations to Maya Moshkovitz, Ph.D. student supervised by Dina Zilberg, on winning the Rothschild Scholarship.

The Baroness Ariane de Rothschild Program for Doctoral Students awards scholarships to outstanding female Ph.D. candidates from a wide range of research fields who are studying at research universities in Israel. As part of the Baroness’s commitment to promoting equal opportunities for women worldwide, the program seeks to advance equality in academia and Israeli society by supporting talented and highly motivated doctoral students from diverse backgrounds. Alongside financial support, the programme involves participation social action, training courses and workshops. We are very happy to announce that our Ph.D. student Maya Moshkovitz was awarded this prestigious scholarship.

Photo credit: Daniel Hanoch

From the Press

Prof. Ilya Gelfand in The Jerusalem Post

Prof. Shimon Rachmilevitch interviewed by Keren Neubach on Reshet Bet regardingthe haze phenomenon and extreme weather changes(in Hebrew)

Institute Manuscripts October - February 2026

FAAB researchers published a total of 42 manuscripts from October 2025- February 2026

Link to list of manuscripts

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