International Livestock Research Institute

Background: Ambient environmental conditions, both influenced by and contribute to climate change, is affecting many aspects of daily life, including active and playful lifestyle activities. This systematic review and qualitative synthesis investigated the association(s) between ambient environmental conditions and active outdoor play across the lifespan. Methods: Seven databases were used to identify studies measuring ambient environmental conditions (meteorological conditions, atmospheric pressure, land-use/environmental factors) and its associations (null, favorable, unfavorable) with active outdoor play. Narrative synthesis and meta-synthesis were performed. Results: Results across 44 studies encompassed 74,423 individuals, 530,142 observations/counts, and 2,029 households. 91% of studies were derived from high-income countries. The average duration of active outdoor play varied by age groups of early years (0–5 years,133.2 min/day), children (6–12 years, 153.2 min/day), adults (18–64 years, 97.2 min/day), and older adults (65+ years, 47.1 min/day). Meteorological (null), atmospheric (unfavorable), and land-use/environmental (unfavorable) factors were associated with active outdoor play (n = 33 studies). Three studies indicated the potential negative impact of active outdoor play on the environment (unfavorable). Grounded in social-ecological resilience theory, deductive coding was applied to categorize outdoor type, play type, impact of climate change on active outdoor play or vice versa, adaptation, and resilience. Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive overview of current evidence on associations between ambient environmental conditions and active outdoor play in the context of climate change. The findings offer insights into how a changing climate may influence opportunities for active outdoor play and inform strategies to promote resilient outdoor play practices.

Climate change alters risks associated with climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIDs) with pandemic potential. This poses additional threats to already vulnerable populations, further amplified by social factors such as gender inequalities. Currently, critical evidence gaps, along with inadequate institutional and governance mechanisms, hinder African states’ ability to prevent, detect and respond to CSIDs. Effective responses require transparent and evidence-based decision-making processes, supported by fit-for-purpose data systems and robust economic analyses. The aim of this study was to explore the role of data systems and economics in priority setting for CSID pandemic preparedness in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a rapid scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was performed across six bibliographic databases in November 2023. A list of 14 target CSIDs was produced, informed by the World Health Organization’s Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and R&D Blueprint Pathogen lists, and a database of CSIDs. Studies were included if published between 2010 and 2023, were relevant to sub-Saharan Africa, pandemic preparedness, and a target CSID, and applied or assessed economic evaluations or data systems. Extracted data were synthesised using bibliometric analysis, topic categorisation, and a narrative synthesis including the application of a gender lens. We identified 68 relevant studies. Data system studies (n = 50) showed broad coverage across target CSIDs and the WHO AFRO region but also a high degree of heterogeneity, which may indicate a lack of clearly defined standards or research priorities. Economic studies (n = 18) primarily focused on COVID-19 or Ebola and mostly originated from South Africa. Both data system and economic studies identified limited interoperability across sectors and showed a notable absence of gendered considerations. These gaps present important opportunities to strengthen priority setting during pandemics and may contribute to improved and equitable health outcomes.

Interfaces between humans, livestock, and wildlife, mediated by the environ-ment, are critical points for the transmission and emergence of infectious patho-gens and call for leveraging the One Health approach to understanding disease transmission. Current research on pathogen transmission often focuses on single-pathogen systems, providing a limited understanding of the broader mi-crobial interactions occurring at these interfaces. In this review, we make a case for the study of host-associated microbiota for understanding connectivity between host populations at human–animal interfaces. First, we emphasize the need to understand changes in microbiota composition dynamics from interspe-cies contact. Then, we explore the potential for microbiota monitoring at such interfaces as a predictive tool for infectious disease transmission and as an early-warning system to inform public health interventions. We discuss the meth-odological challenges and gaps in knowledge in analyzing microbiota composi-tion dynamics, the functional meaning of these changes, and how to establish causality between microbiota changes and health outcomes. We posit that inte-grating microbiota science with social-ecological systems modeling is essential for advancing our ability to manage health risks and harness opportunities aris-ing from interspecies interactions.

There is increasing awareness that exposure to animal faeces contributes to the global burden of diarrheal disease, as well as other zoonotic diseases. This recognition has prompted a re-evaluation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to address animal-related transmission pathways. However, current efforts focus primarily on animal faeces within household environments, neglecting other critical human-animal interactions that favour contamination such as animal handling. We advance growing efforts to link One Health and WASH from a risk perspective, reviewing implications for humans, animals, as well as the environment, which has been overlooked. We then discuss how a comprehensive OH-WASH approach can move beyond risks to also enable opportunities to promote health, equity, climate resilience, and other benefits. This framing offers possibilities to reduce disease transmission and enhance biosecurity, while addressing interconnected challenges facing low- and middle-income countries including food insecurity and agricultural livelihoods, animal health and welfare, and ecosystem degradation from excessive nutrients found in excreta.

Background Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), primarily affecting livestock and transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. First detected in Kenya in 1930, RVF has since spread across Africa, including Uganda, and to the Arabian Peninsula. Uganda reported its first human cases of RVF in 1968, with sporadic outbreaks continuing since the significant outbreak in 2016, particularly in regions with high livestock populations. Although RVFV was detected in mosquitoes in Uganda as early as 1944, the spatial and temporal distribution of RVF outbreaks has not been thoroughly documented. This study aimed to analyze trends in RVF outbreaks across Uganda from 2013 to 2022 to provide insights for effective control measures. A retrospective study was conducted utilizing archived RVF data from NADDEC, along with rainfall and temperature data from the Uganda Meteorological Centre. Maps were generated using QGIS software to illustrate the spatial distribution of RVF outbreaks. The distribution and trends were analyzed using the R programming language. Results During the study period, RVF outbreaks were reported in 74.1% of districts surveyed, representing 27.2% of all districts nationwide. The overall RVF seropositivity among tested animals was found to be 13.02% [95% CI: 12.4–13.7%], with bovine exhibiting the highest RVF seropositivity among the commonly raised species, such as cattle, goats and sheep. The year 2017 recorded the highest RVF seropositivity at 19.6%. Notably, the central region had the highest RVF seropositivity at 17.7% [95% CI: 15.8–19.7%] while the eastern region recorded the lowest at 4.6%. Conclusion This analysis provides crucial insights into the spatial and temporal patterns of RVF outbreaks in Uganda, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions, strengthened surveillance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Despite significant number of studies on RVF outbreaks and prevalence over recent years, little is known about the virus’s maintenance mechanisms in the absence of visible outbreaks. Potential reservoirs, vector dynamics, and environmental factors that facilitate its survival and re-emergence remain poorly characterized. Addressing these gaps is critical to improving early warning systems, guiding targeted surveillance, and implementing effective control measures to mitigate future outbreaks.

Tef (Eragrostis tef) is an indigenous African cereal that is gaining global attention as a gluten-free “superfood” with high protein, mineral, and fibre contents. However, tef yields are limited by lodging and by losses during harvest owing to its small grain size (150× lighter than wheat). Breeders must also consider a strong cultural preference for white-grained over brown-grained varieties. Tef is relatively understudied with limited “omics” resources. Here, we resequence 220 tef accessions from an Ethiopian diversity collection and also perform multi-locational phenotyping for 25 agronomic and grain traits. Grain metabolome profiling reveals differential accumulation of fatty acids and flavonoids between white and brown grains. k-mer and SNP-based genome-wide association uncover important marker-trait associations, including a significant 70 kb peak for panicle morphology containing the tef orthologue of rice qSH1—a transcription factor regulating inflorescence morphology in cereals. We also observe a previously unknown relationship between grain size, colour, and fatty acids. These traits are highly associated with retrotransposon insertions in homoeologues of TRANSPARENT TESTA 2, a known regulator of grain colour. Our study provides valuable resources for tef research and breeding, facilitating the development of improved cultivars with desirable agronomic and nutritional properties.

Background Malnutrition continues to have large and negative impacts on millions of people. Lack of nutrition education and access to accurate information can be large barriers to healthy eating. Methods In this paper, we causally tested if providing participants with consumption tracking information accompanied by tailored messaging that referenced internationally recognized dietary guidelines improved their consumption patterns. To do so, we developed a smartphone application that participants used to record their consumption and that of their children. Those self-recorded data were then used to provide the participants with tailored feedback by comparing their recorded consumption against recommended consumption patterns. The causal impacts of the tailored feedback were estimated using a regression discontinuity estimation strategy and validated using alternative empirical strategies and a parallel dataset collected from the same participants by Community Health Volunteers. Results We found that the informational and feedback treatments improved consumption patterns of the caregivers and their children. Specifically, once caregivers began receiving tracking information and tailored feedback on their children’s diet, their children’s likelihood of meeting the minimum dietary threshold increased by at least 23 percentage points. An analogous, although smaller and less precisely estimated, effect on the caregivers’ consumption was caused by providing them with tracking and feedback information on their own consumption. To verify these findings, we tested for the same effects using a parallel dataset collected by Community Health Volunteers from the same participants at the same period. The results of these analysis remained consistent with those estimated from self-recorded data but showed smaller effect sizes. Tests for persistence of the effects found no loss in impacts over the remaining months of the project. Conclusions These findings show that improving access to information on recommended consumption and providing easy methods for tracking own performance against those recommendations can improve consumption patterns while also demonstrating that low-cost, light-touch approaches can be effective for collecting related data and delivering such services. Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry ACTR202407500217236. Retrospectively registered on July 15 2024.

Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) is a C4 perennial grass species native to Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and widely used for feed cattle in the region. In this study, we sequenced the genomes of 450 Napier grass individuals from 18 countries, identifying over 170 million DNA variants (SNPs and Indels). Approximately 1% of these SNPs were informative and used to assess genetic diversity within the collection. Our resequencing study provided valuable insights into the global genetic diversity of Napier grass. Additionally, a genome-wide association study on two independent populations identified multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL) significantly associated with key agronomic traits, including biomass yield, nitrogen and cellulose content. These findings serve as a crucial resource for preserving and understanding Napier grass genetic diversity in the context of climate change. Moreover, they will support genomics-based breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding and drought-tolerant varieties for forage and biofuel production.

Onsite sanitation, such as pit latrines, is essential to achieving universal access to safe sanitation, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal target 6.2. However, manual emptying for pit latrines in low-income areas is often unhygienic, posing health and environmental risks. Enhancing the safety of these services increases costs, yet affordability for customers is essential. Thus, reducing service costs is a key priority. Group-based approach, where emptiers visit multiple toilets consecutively, has potential to improve both service efficiency and affordability. However, few studies have investigated its applicability to manual emptying. This paper aims to identify barriers and enablers for group-based manual emptying services in low-income neighbourhoods of Nairobi. We conducted 12 focus group discussions with landlords, tenants, and manual emptiers in the Kor-ogocho informal settlement in Nairobi and interviewed 20 key informants from relevant sectors in Kenya. We identified five categories of barriers and enablers that affected general and group-based manual emptying: 1) funding, 2) expertise and equipment, 3) social and commercial habits, 4) physical conditions, and 5) regulatory systems. Of these, a norm that pits are not emptied until they get full, operating time constraints, fair and transparent pricing, and an organiser who can arrange group-based emptying from Category 3, and transport capacity from Category 4 specifically affected group-based manual emptying. Given that the barriers have a cascade structure, addressing some primary barriers such as capacity building and recognising manual emptiers' role in the sanitation policies could be effective ways to ensure safe and affordable emptying services.

The Theileria parva sporozoite surface antigen p67 is a target of the bovine humoral immune response that generates antibodies capable of providing protection against subsequent infection. As a result, p67 has been the subject of efforts aimed at the development of an anti‐sporozoite subunit vaccine. Previous studies have identified neutralizing epitopes in the N‐ and C‐terminal regions of the full‐length protein and shown that immunization with a C‐terminal fragment of p67 (p67C) alone is capable of eliciting protection. To identify additional neutralizing epitopes in p67C, selections were conducted against it using a phage‐displayed synthetic antibody library. An antibody that neutralized the sporozoite in vitro was identified, and the crystal structure of a Fab:peptide complex was elucidated. Mutagenesis studies aimed at validating and further characterizing the Fab:peptide interaction identified critical residues involved in binding and neutralization. This study also validates distinct epitopes for previously reported neutralizing antibodies.

This paper offers new insights into gender norms, roles, participation, relations, and benefits derived by women and men engaged in the aquaculture sector in Ogun and Delta States in Nigeria. Data were collected using mixed methods, including structured surveys of 410 farmers, 175 market actors, and 53 input suppliers, 116 semi-structured key informant interviews, and 11 focus group discussions (FGDs). Overall results of the study revealed the linkages within the aquaculture value chain, which was highly gendered, with men dominating all the three main stages of the value chain as indicated by Duncan’s index of dissimilarity of 17.35%. Results also revealed a gender difference in the value of assets, ownership, and wage rate among men and women participants in paid labor in the input supply and fish trading segments. Men tended to realize more profits than women, indicating an imbalance in the distribution of benefits by gender along the aquaculture value chain. Results revealed that the participation of women in decision-making was relatively high, attributable to their involvement in aquaculture value chain activities. The findings highlight the need for governments, development agencies, and non-governmental organizations to address gender disparities in policies designed to improve the imbalance in the distribution of benefits between women and men.

Domestic animals are moved for reasons that are mutually beneficial to the animal and the farmer. Some examples include the need for fresh grazing grounds and watering points, or the need to access livestock markets for income to sustain farmers’ livelihoods. However, livestock mobility is a key risk factor for the transmission of transboundary animal diseases. Contact tracing of individual animals and flocks is very challenging, especially in most low‐income countries, due to a lack of efficient livestock traceability systems. Despite these challenges, low‐income countries, such as Uganda, issue paper‐based animal movement permits (AMPs) to ensure only clinically healthy animals are moved following a physical inspection. In this study, we used national approximately 9 years of (2012–2020) small ruminant movement data obtained from archived AMPs in Uganda to describe small ruminant movement networks. The movement networks were described using social network analysis (SNA) approaches implemented in R software to identify and visualize relationships between individual and groups districts in Uganda. Lira, Kaberamaido, Nabilatuk, Mbarara, Kiruhura, Kampala, and Wakiso were identified as districts with the highest degree (in and out‐degree) and betweenness among other centrality measures. Our results suggest these districts could be the most important bridges connecting the various regions of the country. Tailoring control interventions to such districts with high incoming and high outgoing shipments, or bridges, would accelerate the nation’s ability to timely detect outbreaks, prevent or mitigate further spread, and contain diseases in their original foci, respectively. We also identified areas for active surveillance, vaccination, quarantine, and biosecurity measures‐staging depending on prevailing circumstances. These findings will be used to guide the national small ruminant infectious diseases control strategies and subsequently contribute to national and global initiatives, such as the 2030 Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) eradication program.

African swine fever virus originated in a wildlife cycle in East Africa and spread to domestic pigs. At least twenty-three genotypes are present in Africa whereas only genotypes I and II have spread to other continents. Vaccine development has been directed mainly to genotype II. The ability of genotype II vaccines to induce cross-protection against other genotypes is unknown. Here, we compared cross-protection induced in pigs by an attenuated multiple gene-deleted genotype II modified live vaccine candidate against challenge with different genotypes. Protection against homologous virulent genotype II virus was 100%. Cross-protection against virulent genotype I virus varied between 57 and 71%. However, no protection was achieved against genotype IX challenge. The results indicate potential for use of vaccines in regions where genotypes I and II are circulating.

Large‐scale biodiversity assessments and conservation applications require integrated and up‐to‐date datasets across regions. In the oceans, monitoring is fragmented, which affects knowledge exchange and usage. Among existing monitoring programs, scientific bottom‐trawl surveys (SBTS) are long‐term, rich, and well‐maintained data sources at the scale of each sampled region, but these data are under‐utilized in biodiversity applications, especially across regions. This is hampered by the lack of an international community and database maintained through time. To address this, we created FISHGLOB, an infrastructure gathering SBTS and experts. In 5 years, we developed an integrated database of SBTS and a consortium gathering more than 100 experts and users. Here, we are sharing the project history, achievements, challenges, and outlooks. In particular, we reflect on the infrastructure‐building social and technical processes which will guide the development of similar infrastructures. The FISHGLOB project takes ocean monitoring one step forward in working as a unified community across disciplines and regions of the world.

Vaccination is a key control measure of coronavirus disease 2019 by preventing severe effects of disease outcomes, reducing hospitalization rates and death, and increasing immunity. However, vaccination can affect the evolution and adaptation of SARS-CoV-2 largely through vaccine-induced immune pressure. Here, we investigated intrahost recombination and single nucleotide variations (iSNVs) on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome in non-vaccinated and vaccinated sequences from the Kenyan population to profile intrahost viral genetic evolution and adaptations driven by vaccine-induced immune pressure. We identified recombination hotspots in the S, N, and ORF1a/b genes and showed the genetic evolution landscape of SARS-CoV-2 by comparing within- and inter-wave recombination events from the beginning of the pandemic (June 2020 to December 2022) in Kenya. We further reveal differential expression of recombinant RNA species between vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals and perform an in-depth analysis of iSNVs to identify and characterize the functional properties of non-synonymous mutations found in ORF-1 a/b, S, and N genes. Lastly, we detected a minority variant in non-vaccinated patients in Kenya, with an immune escape mutation S255F of the spike gene, and showed differential recombinant RNA species. Overall, this work identified unique in vivo mutations and intrahost recombination patterns in SARS-CoV-2, which could have significant implications for virus evolution, virulence, and immune escape. IMPORTANCE The impact of vaccination on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genetic diversity in Kenya and much of Africa remains unknown. This can be attributed to lower sequencing rates; however, this information is relevant to improvement in vaccine and antiviral research. In this study, we investigated how vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 transmission waves affect intrahost non-homologous recombination and single nucleotide variations (iSNVs). We identified unique in vivo mutations and intrahost recombination patterns in SARS-CoV-2, which could have significant implications for virus evolution, virulence, and immune escape. We also demonstrate a methodology for studying genetic changes in a pathogen by a simultaneous analysis of both intrahost single nucleotide variations and recombination events. The study reveals the diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in Kenya and highlights the need for sustained genomic surveillance in Kenya and Africa to better understand how the virus evolves. Such surveillance ensures detection of drifts in evolution, allowing information for updates in vaccines, policy making, and containment of future variants of SARS-CoV-2.

Nonlinear models are frequently utilized to study the growth and development of livestock and poultry, and to investigate the dynamic relationship with the intestinal microbiota changes. In this study, a total of 180 Magang geese (1-day-old) were selected and randomly divided into 6 replicates with 30 geese in each replicate. The growth performance, organ development, and intestinal flora composition of geese aged 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 50, 60, and 70 d were observed. A total of 3 nonlinear growth models were applied to fit the development curves, aiming to explore the ontogenic development of Magang geese and the dynamic changes in the intestinal flora. Our results demonstrated that the Gompertz model serves as the most suitable model for simulating the growth pattern of Magang geese (R²=0.996). Using this model, the weight of the inflection point in Magang geese was 3.470 kg, the age of the inflection point was 25.460 d, and the maximum daily gain was 0.061 kg. The development curves of the liver, kidney, and pancreas conform to the Logistic model (R²=0.901, 0.978, 0.971), while the intestinal development also followed this model. The bacteria involved in energy metabolism (Subdoligranulum, Bacteroides, Romboutsia) and the bacteria inhibiting the colonization of harmful bacteria (Blautia) in cecum changed rapidly from 7 to 14 d, and microbial community composition stabilized after 21 d. In conclusion, our findings indicated that the ontogenic pattern of the Magang goose conformed to the Gompertz growth curve. The period from 7 to 42 d represents the rapid growth phase for Magang geese, during which organ development occurs, and cecal microbiota composition becomes increasingly stable.

Background The burden of zoonotic diseases remains high in low and middle-income countries. Among the most prevalent zoonoses, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) can pose economic and health threats, particularly among at-risk professionals. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding CCHF and other zoonoses among mixed-crop livestock farmers in the rural settings of Burkina Faso. Methods A cross-sectional study that involved selected households from sixteen villages was conducted. Consenting participants aged six and above were randomly included, and a structured questionnaire that collected socio-economic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning CCHF and other zoonoses was administered. Two index outcome variables were created based on an elaborated scale: i) attitudes and practices at risk of CCHF; and ii) knowledge of zoonoses. Descriptive statistics were performed, and univariable ordinary least squares (OLS) and seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) were used for univariable and multivariable modeling, respectively, to assess the drivers of both outcomes. Results Of the 717 respondents, 66.4 % were male, and 20.4 % were under 15 years old. The attitudes and practices at risk were high (48.1 %), and the knowledge toward zoonoses was limited for 47.8 % of the farmers. Our multivariable SUR model shows higher odds of attitudes and practices associated with CCHF risk in men (Coef [95 %CI] = 2.85[2.14;3.56]; p-value<0.001). This risk increases with the distance to the livestock grazing area, and among the households owning their livestock grazing area (Coef [95 %CI] = 1.57[0.47;2.66]; p-value = 0.005). The farmers' age (Coef[95 % CI] = 0.02[0.002;0.04]; p-value = 0.028), the male gender (Coef 95 %CI] = 1.5[0.94;2.14]; p-value<0.001), the household's farming surface (Coef[95 %CI] = 0.03[0.002;0.6]; p-value = 0.032), were the significant factors driving knowledge of zoonoses among the farmers. Conclusion The study reveals concerning high-risk behavior associated with CCHF among mixed-crop livestock farmers in rural Burkina Faso. The identified socio-demographic drivers underscore the importance of targeted educational and preventive measures to mitigate the impact of CCHF in this vulnerable population.

Background Mothers physiologically buffer key milk nutrient content against nutritional stress. How this is nested in upstream behavioral buffering is not well understood. Objectives The study explored whether pastoralists and agropastoralists' economic or other behavioral coping strategies against droughts, such as livestock sales and child fosterage, influence maternal risk for malnutrition or milk nutrient content. Methods Using data from 221 breastfeeding mothers in drought‐stricken northern Kenya, we estimated generalized structural equation models to evaluate pathways linking behavioral coping variables to maternal malnutrition—underweight, vitamin A deficiency (VAD), and folate deficiency (hyperhomocysteinemia)—and to milk energy, retinol, and folate content directly or mediated by maternal malnutrition. Predictors of interest included land size, proportion of cattle/goat herds sold, children fostered/adopted out, and children living at home. Akaike Information Criterion guided model fit assessment. Results Land size was positively associated with maternal underweight and VAD. Child fosterage and cattle sold were inversely associated with underweight, while child fosterage and goats/sheep sold were positively associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Children living at home were inversely associated with VAD, particularly with larger land size, and positively associated with milk retinol. Milk folate was positively associated with hyperhomocysteinemia. Conclusions Behavioral buffering strategies, such as fostering out children, offer incomplete protection against maternal malnutrition. The lack of effects of investigated behavioral buffering strategies on milk variables suggests physiological buffering closes the gap left by incomplete behavioral buffering. Dual behavioral‐physiological buffering facilitates the drought adaptability of agropastoralists, yet heavy reliance on physiological buffering for micronutrients suggests high maternal cost.

Many forage species exhibit seed dormancy, which prevents germination and poses challenges for seed growers and analysts. Various methods have been developed to overcome dormancy in different forage species, but their effectiveness varies depending on the species and environmental conditions during seed development and storage. The seeds of Chamaecytisus proliferus exhibit dormancy due to a hard seed coat and lens covering the embryo. To overcome this dormancy, we evaluated physical, mechanical and chemical scarification methods. Among the treatments, excised embryos achieved the highest germination proportion (0.95). Hot water treatment for 15, 20 and 25 minutes effectively broke dormancy, resulting in proportions of 0.89, 0.92 and 0.89 germinated seeds, respectively. Treatment with 0.1 or 0.2% KNO 3 also enhanced germination, whereas a 0.3% solution led to lower germination (0.73). Exposure to concentrated H 2 SO 4 increased germination but caused a high proportion of dead seeds and abnormal seedlings. Similarly, mechanical scarification using a scalpel blade resulted in low germination (0.70) and a high proportion of seedling abnormalities (0.3). All pre-treatments reduced mean germination time, with excised embryos germinating fastest. In conclusion, excised embryos and hot water treatment (15-25 minutes) effectively break dormancy and enhance germination in Chamaecytisus proliferus .