Biological Diversity and Agroecology

Position: Research scientist, Agroecology Lab, Newe Ya’ar Research Center.
Departmental affiliation: Department of Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute.
Phone numbers: 972-3-9683925
Email address: asafsa@volcani.agri.gov.il
A personal note:
The Model Farm is a unique platform for long-term aboveground and belowground ecological research in a whole farm setting.
The platform involves long-term experimental setups, through which we will develop and test sustainable agricultural approaches suitable to local Mediterranean conditions and in an economic context. These practices are aimed at enhancing ecosystem services such as agricultural pest and disease control, soil health, and habitat and biodiversity conservation.
The Model Farm welcomes collaborations with ecologists of all research fields and institutions, in Israel and abroad – all are invited to take advantage of the site’s experimental array to conduct ecological research in their respective fields, enjoy multi-disciplinary collaboration, and contribute to the long-term database that is being accumulated..
Member of the platform:
Field Crops | Nahalal Stream

Position: Research scientist, Systems Biology Lab, Newe Ya’ar Research Center.
Departmental affiliation: Natural Resources, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute.
Phone numbers: 972-4-9539533 | 972-50-6220047
Email address: shiri@agri.gov.il
A personal note:
My research concerns the integration and application of genomics together with agro-ecology. To date, technological advancements allows characterization of the soil microbiomes, with increasingly growing coverage. Such data provide a key for deciphering and designing processes in the soil. My vision is the development of sustainable soil treatments that will support microbiome that is desired for agricultural platforms considering resistance to pathogen and soil diseases. Such treatments will allow to reduce the use in environmental pollutants. The Model Farm project provides a platform for the development of genomic-driven agricultural practices directly oriented to provide practical solutions to the farmer.
Lab website: www.freilich-lab.com
Member of the platform:
Field Crops

Position: Research scientist, Entomology Unit, Newe Ya’ar Research Center.
Departmental affiliation: Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute.
Phone numbers: 972-4-9539546 | 972-50-6220111
Email address: palevsky@volcani.agri.gov.il
A personal note:
Generalist predatory mites have the potential to control soil pests.
To realize this potential, food webs must be in place to conserve predator abundance prior to pest arrival.
Free living nematodes play an important role in the conservation of predators.
My aim is to identify and evaluate methods to preserve and maintain free living nematodes in natural soils and in soils adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
Member of the platform:
Nahalal Stream

Dr. Ora Moshe
Position: Research scientist, Soil Conservation Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Departmental affiliation: Soil Erosion Research Station, Soil Conservation Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Phone numbers: 972-58-4848700
Email address: feliciaorah@gmail.com
Member of the platform:
Nahalal Stream

Position: Research scientist at the Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences.
Departmental affiliation: Institute of Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Institute.
Phone numbers: 972-3-9683767 | 972-50-6220087
Email address: eddie@volcani.agri.gov.il
A personal note:
Our lab is interested in understanding and mitigating antibiotic resistance dynamics in agroecosystems.
Member of the platform:
Field Crops