https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/417 2026-09-09T17:30:09Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148925 Title: Assessing climate variability and association with agricultural productivity in Malta (2000-2021) Authors: Attard, George; Galdies, Charles; Meli, Anthony Abstract: The Mediterranean Basin is among the regions most exposed to climate-related risks to agriculture, owing to the combined effects of warming, increasing hydroclimatic variability and water scarcity. Malta is particularly vulnerable because of its semi arid climate, limited land and freshwater resources, and substantial dependence on groundwater and supplementary irrigation. This study examines observed temperature and precipitation trends and their temporal association with agricultural production in Malta during 2000-2021, with an emphasis on the autumn-winter period that is critical for the establishment of major arable crops. Monthly temperature and precipitation observations were evaluated alongside national agricultural statistics for cereals, potatoes, tomatoes, vines and broader crop categories. The analysis indicates a general warming tendency during much of the autumn-winter period, with statistically significant increases in selected monthly maximum temperatures, particularly November and February, and widespread increases in minimum temperatures. Precipitation exhibited high interannual variability and declining tendencies during several months, notably November and December, although October and March showed different or weaker trajectories. These climatic changes occurred concurrently with substantial reductions in vegetable production and cultivated area for several crops, most notably potatoes and tomatoes. Correlation analyses identified associations between temperature or precipitation anomalies and selected crop indicators; however, these relationships should not be interpreted as causal because agricultural production is also strongly influenced by irrigation availability, market conditions, land-use change, technology, labour, policy and farm management. The findings nevertheless indicate increasing climatic exposure of Maltese agriculture and support adaptation based on improved water-use efficiency, rainwater harvesting and storage, soil-moisture conservation, climate-resilient cultivars, adjusted crop calendars, diversification and climate-informed agricultural advisory services. The study provides a national-scale baseline for subsequent crop- and farm-level analyses of climate risk in Malta. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148642 Title: Chemical characterization and in vitro gas production kinetics of alternative feed resources for small ruminants in the Maltese islands Authors: Pastorelli, Grazia; Simeonidis, Kalliroi; Faustini, Massimo; Le Mura, Angelo; Cavalleri, Mariagrazia; Serra, Valentina; Attard, Everaldo Abstract: The ever-increasing human population, the problem associated with climate change and recent crises—COVID-19 disease and trade conflicts—all impacted on the availability and cost of animal feed raw materials. This is clearly visible in realities which heavily rely on importation such as islands and small states, where producers involved in the agricultural sector were strongly affected by the sharp increase in prices. To deal with these global issues, alternative resources are perceived to replace conventional ingredients. This work aimed at assessing the nutritive value of different resources (sheep feed, mature carob, Maltese bread, wild asparagus, prickly lettuce, and loquat) for small ruminants present in the Maltese Islands, analyzing their chemical composition, gas production kinetics and antioxidant properties. In general, the variation in chemical composition resulted in different rumen fermentation kinetics (p < 0.007). The ratio between GP-24 h and GP-48 h was higher in Maltese bread than other substrates; loquat, prickly lettuce and wild asparagus showed lower fermentation kinetics in accordance with their high NDF and ADF contents. The antioxidant activity may be partially related to the polyphenolic content that was higher in wild asparagus, prickly lettuce and loquat. All feed characteristic confirmed their potential to be included as ingredients in ruminant diets and as a source of fiber. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/148423 Title: Development, behaviour, productivity, and health status of the native honey bee Apis mellifera ruttneri vs. the introduced A. m. ligustica in Malta Authors: Uzunov, Aleksandar; Mifsud, David; Galea, Thomas; Cutajar, Simone; Zammit-Mangion, Marion; Meixner, Marina D. Abstract: The tiny population of the endemic Maltese honey bee (A. m. ruttneri) is threatened by anthropogenic influences, such as urbanisation, habitat loss, and unsustainable agricultural practices, but most prominently by the importation of commercially important non-native stock. To obtain data on the colony life cycle parameters of A. m. ruttneri and to measure its apicultural performance in relation to imported A. m. ligustica under Maltese conditions, we conducted a comparative study between mid-2017 and early 2020. Over one full season, colonies of both subspecies (A. m. ruttneri (n = 15) vs. A. m. ligustica (n = 18)) were regularly assessed for survival, colony size, behaviour, and presence of diseases. The comparative assessments were completed in September 2018, but monitoring and sampling of the surviving colonies of A. m. ruttneri continued until March 2020. Our results clearly indicate that the tested group of sister queens of A. m. ruttneri is well adapted to the prevailing environmental conditions in Malta. The colonies survived significantly longer compared to the tested group of sister queens of A. m. ligustica and performed better in several parameters measured, their colony development, and health being well in tune with the environment. A. m. ruttneri received acceptable scores for behavioural traits (gentleness and calmness on the comb), showing potential for improvement by breeding. The results from this pioneering study clearly indicate that A. m. ruttneri, with its superior adaptation to Maltese conditions and the potential to improve by breeding, represents a prime option towards economically sound beekeeping on the Maltese archipelago. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146782 Title: Canary Broom (Cytisus canariensis (L.) Kuntze Fabaceae) Authors: Attard, Tamara; Attard, Everaldo Abstract: Cytisus canariensis (L.) Kuntze, commonly known as Canary Island Bloom (Figure 21.1), is known for its characteristically yellow flowers. It is a coastal plant and an endemic of the Canary Islands. This archipelago is com posed of seven islands, namely, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, close to West Coast of Morocco (Chaachouay et al., 2019). Though being autonomous communities of Spain, the plant has been introduced to continental Europe and beyond. It is a member of the pea family, also known as legumes. In spite of its long- standing history as a hallucinogen, it is currently being investigated as a viable alternative to tobacco or as a supplementary component to mitigate the inhalation of tobacco by individuals who smoke. When consumed in the form of cigarettes, G. canariensis exhibits effects that are comparable to, or somewhat less intense than, those of tobacco cigarettes. The observed aftertaste of electronic cigarettes is characterized by its sweetness, in contrast to the mildly bitter aftertaste com monly associated with traditional tobacco cigarettes (Fadiman, 1965). 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z