Mediterranean Climatic Conditions Research Articles

Effect of Lime Source, Fineness and Granulation on Soil Permeation with Contrasting Textures under Simulated Mediterranean Climate Rainfall Conditions

ABSTRACT Granulated micro-fine limes have recently been introduced as liming materials which are purportedly more effective than conventional agricultural limes in terms of rapidly correcting subsoil acidity in no-tillage systems. Hydrated limes are known to react more quickly in soils than calcitic limes, yet their soil permeability has not been evaluated under Mediterranean climate growing conditions. Therefore, the aim of this controlled study was to compare soil permeation and pH neutralization of different liming materials (hydrated lime, calcitic agricultural lime, micro-fine lime and molasses-granulated micro-fine lime) in two contrasting (sand and sandy loam) acid (pHKCl < 4.1) topsoils under simulated Mediterranean climate conditions. Limes were surface applied to 40 cm soil columns and then rainfall (350 mm) was simulated. Subsequently, soil chemical properties (pH, exchangeable cations, available P) were measured in 5 cm increments. Application of all liming materials increased soil pH 1–2 pH units above target pHKCl of 5.5 in the top 5 cm of both soils. Only hydrated lime was able to increase soil pHKCl (5.7–6.8) below 5 cm up to a depth of 15 cm on the sand soil. Hydrated lime, however, resulted in substantial over-liming (pHKCl 7.3–8.7) of the top 5 cm of soil compared to the other materials. Granulated micro-fine lime reacted more slowly than the agricultural limes and is therefore not a suitable quick-fix for subsoil acidity in rain-fed no-till systems under Mediterranean climate rainfall conditions. Whereas hydrated lime showed potential in ameliorating subsoil acidity in the sand soil within one season of rainfall.

Similar climate–growth relationships but divergent drought resilience strategies in coexisting Mediterranean shrubs

Abstract Anticipating future impacts of climate warming and aridification on drylands requires understanding how coexisting woody plant species respond to climate variability. However, we lack knowledge of the growth resilience capacity of Mediterranean shrubs. Do coexisting trees and shrubs differ in their response to climate? Do coexisting shrub species have comparable post‐drought growth resilience? This study was conducted in two Mediterranean shrublands with sparse trees in semi‐arid north‐eastern Spain. We selected sites situated in formerly agricultural or grassland areas in two regions subjected to semi‐arid Mediterranean climate conditions. We sampled six shrubs' species (Juniperus phoenicea, Juniperus oxycedrus, Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia terebinthus, Rhamnus lycioides and Rhamnus alaternus) and one tree species (Pinus halepensis) to measure their radial growth and to reconstruct their past growth patterns using dendrochronology. We quantified climate–growth relationships of trees and shrubs, as well as the growth resilience capacity after drought events of the six shrubs. Growth patterns differed between species but a prevalent trade‐off between growth and longevity was found. Growth responses to climate were comparable between species but differed between sites. Most species responded positively to precipitation and negatively to temperature. The most negative correlations of growth with drought severity were found at the driest Valcuerna site. Shrubs differed in their resilience capacity. Across sites, species were more resistant and resilient in Alcubierre, the wettest site. The shrubs P. terebinthus and R. lycioides were more resistant and resilient than the rest of species, which required longer growth recovery times and accumulated stronger growth reductions, particularly J. phoenicea. Synthesis. These results highlight the importance of drought as a driver of growth in Mediterranean scrublands. Growth resilience strategies differed between species with junipers being less resilient to drought than other coexisting shrubs. Further research should investigate how this difference in post‐drought resilience is related to functional traits, particularly those related with plant water‐use strategies.

Failures and performance of different aged PV modules operated under northern Algerian climate conditions: Analysis, assessment, and recommended solutions

This paper analyzes, assesses, and compares the failures and performance of various PV module types deployed at six PV installations located in different regions of northern Algeria, under Mediterranean climatic conditions. Qualitative data has been considered by selecting the best and worst-performing PV module samples for each of the six PV module types, along with other PV samples exhibiting specific permanent failures. Subsequently, the following IEC 61215 inspections were conducted: visual failures inspection, electrical performance inspection, thermal failures inspection, and insulation failures inspection. The results of these failure inspections indicate that different types of PV modules exhibit varying performance. Interestingly, the disparities are more pronounced between the PV module types than among the PV module samples within the same PV module type. This gap is at least ten times higher in terms of yearly degradation rates. However, some of the PV module types with high failure occurrence, severity, and exposure duration exhibit high performance compared to other types that have low failure occurrence, severity, and exposure duration. Meanwhile, there is no obvious and clear correlation between the different PV inspections, especially for PV module types. Thus, our analysis of the obtained results leads us to conclude that the significant disparity in failures and performance among the tested PV module types is primarily attributable to differences in their quality rather than the influence of local climate conditions or working conditions. Out of the six PV module types, only one will meet the 25-year warranty provided by the manufacturer, providing valuable insights into the prevalence of poor-quality PV modules in PV installations and those available in Algeria. Finally, a list of recommended solutions has been proposed to the Algerian government and other countries facing similar challenges to integrate into their national infrastructures and frameworks (quality, technical, qualification, and policies). These solutions aim to ensure the high quality, performance, and long lifespan of PV modules and PV installations.

Reduced application of a plant growth regulator may increase yield and added net return of processing tomato in mediterranean climate conditions

Among the most valuable horticultural produce, tomato is cultivated for both fresh consumption and processing purposes. Therefore, good agricultural practices secure better production and income for farmers such as the adoption of biostimulant application throughout the growing cycle. The presence of different biostimulants in the market urge its testing to depict wider aftermath on a variety of crops. A field experiment was conducted on processing tomato where a plant growth regulator (PGR; Atonik) composed of phenolic compounds, was applied following a different schedule of field applications to improve growth and fruit setting and quality. Two interventions of this PGR increased tomato marketable yield by 32.1% including fruit number per square meters (+30.8%), while four applications increased few qualitative parameters such as total soluble solids (+15.4%), firmness (+15.3%), total flavonoids (+142.6%) and total polyphenols (+33.5%). However, the added net return was higher when only two applications were done. This finding underlines the utility of testing biostimulants on different crops and depicts the best agricultural practices in term of application number in order to maintain the best net return. However, qualitative aspects should not be underestimated when pricing horticultural commodities, since quality is equally an important target to be reached in food industry

Mating type and microsatellite genotyping indicate that the Tunisian population of Phyllosticta citricarpa is clonal and thrives only asexually

Citrus black spot (CBS) caused by Phyllosticta citricarpa was reported for the first time in Tunisia in 2019. This was also the first reported occurrence of the disease in a Mediterranean climate. In Tunisia, CBS is mainly found in lemon (Citrus limon) orchards, and is seldom observed on sweet orange (Citrus × sinensis). This recent finding in North Africa raises questions about how the disease has been able to spread under Mediterranean climatic conditions. In this work, 216 Phyllosticta strains collected from lemon orchards in 2021, 2022 and 2023 throughout the country's main citrus-growing provinces were characterised by species morphological and molecular identification, mating type and Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) microsatellite genotyping (MLG). P. citricarpa was the only species found to be associated with CBS in Tunisia. Although P. citricarpa is a heterothallic fungal species, potentially able to reproduce both sexually and asexually, a single mating type (MAT 1-1-1) idiomorph was found in the population. In addition, three MLGs were observed, across ten microsatellite loci, one of which was massively represented (93 %), indicating a clonal population. The clonality observed suggests a single recent introduction of the pathogen into the country. These findings support the idea that in Tunisia, P. citricarpa only reproduces asexually by pycniospores, with a relatively limited dispersal potential. This is consistent with the absence of pseudothecia on the leaf litter. These results show that CBS is able to thrive under Mediterranean conditions, even in the absence of sexual reproduction. This should be taken into consideration for CBS risk assessment and management.

Vetiver forage yield and nutritive value affected by water irrigation regimes and plant density under Mediterranean climate conditions

Vetiver forage yield and nutritive value affected by water irrigation regimes and plant density under Mediterranean climate conditions

Regulated Deficit Irrigation to Boost Processing Tomato Sustainability and Fruit Quality

Improving water use efficiency is gaining relevance for the sustainability of agricultural practices. In semi-arid Mediterranean areas, recent studies highlighted that future climatic scenarios will be even more critical for crops, given the increase in water scarcity. In this context, the rationalization of irrigation water is necessary to sustain processing tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) yield and quality since this crop requires large volumes of water. The present research aimed to identify the effects of a regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) strategy on the environmental and economic sustainability and fruit technological and functional quality of the processing tomato crop in the Mediterranean area. A two-year, open-field experiment was carried out to compare full irrigation management (IRR, restoring 100% ETc) with an RDI strategy based on restoring 50% ETc when the first fruit cluster reached the typical size (BBCH 701 phenological stage, relative to Solanaceous fruits). Remarkable water saving (21.46%, average of the two years) was achieved under RDI without significant variations in total and marketable yield compared to the IRR regime. Consequently, improved economic water productivity (+23.17%) was observed, allowing enhanced processing tomato sustainability. The RDI strategy boosted the glucose content (+17.78%), soluble solids content (SSC, +10.17%), and dry matter of the fruits (+10.03 g%). Furthermore, a higher SSC-to-titratable acidity ratio (+15.47%) and a negative shift in fructose/glucose balance (−7.71%) were observed in RDI-treated plants. Higher levels of the drought stress markers proline (+38.99%) and total polyphenols (+20.58%) were detected in RDI- compared to IRR-irrigated tomato fruits. These findings suggested the RDI strategy as an effective and sustainable approach for increasing both water productivity and the fruit quality of the processing tomato crop under semi-arid Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Evaluation of Nature-Based Solutions to Improve the Urban Microclimate in Mediterranean Climate Conditions: A Case Study of Izmir-Karsıyaka

Today, rapid urbanization and increasing human activities have affected the climate at macro and micro scales in cities and caused unfavorable conditions in terms of human thermal comfort, especially in outdoor spaces. In this context, new solutions need to be researched, developed, tested, and updated to improve thermal comfort in cities. Using ENVI-met 5.1 software, this study investigated the effects of different NBS combinations on the urban microclimate and human bioclimatic comfort in Izmir (Turkey). The current situation, the scenarios where some nature-based solutions (NBS) are applied within the scope of the European Union’s HORIZON 2020 “URBAN GreenUP” project, and two other scenarios planned within the scope of the study were evaluated. The findings of the study showed that both the NBS scenarios created within the scope of the EU project and the NBS scenarios with large deciduous trees had the most positive impacts on improving thermal comfort conditions in all three study zones and achieved temperature reductions of up to 2.5 °C in urban temperatures. In terms of thermal comfort, the most significant differences were calculated between the minimum PMV values and were close to 1 °C. In addition, the simulation results showed positive changes in psychological stress levels.

Enhancing honeybee breeding for sustainable agriculture through temperature and relative humidity monitoring

Through their vital role in pollination, honeybee colonies play a crucial part in sustaining biodiversity and ensuring global food security. This paper aims to: 1) assess temperature and relative humidity variations within the hive and at the brood level; 2) determine genetic parameters for these traits; and 3) predict Breeding Values (PBVs) for honeybee colonies. Temperature and relative humidity data, during the period 2020-2023, were collected in Northern Tunisia using sensors placed inside hives and at the brood level. A dataset comprising 214,128 records for temperature and relative humidity within hives, sourced from 317 devices, was used in this study. Additionally, 20,740 records for temperature and relative humidity obtained from 78 brood-level devices were incorporated into the analysis. Phenotypic and genetic parameters were computed for the four examined traits, and using a BLUP Animal model, colony breeding values (PBVs) were predicted. Main results indicated a highly significant influence (p&lt;0.01) of the month effect on the four temperature and relative humidity traits. Heritability estimates for in-hive temperature, in-hive relative humidity, brood relative humidity, and brood temperature were 0.14, 0.12, 0.16, and 0.28, respectively. Positive correlations were observed between relative humidity inside hives and at the brood level, as well as between temperature within beehives and at the brood level. Colony breeding values were predicted to select the best adapted bee queens to enhance honeybee’s sustainable use under Southern Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Adapting American Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Varieties to Mediterranean Sustainable Agriculture: A Trellis Height Exploration

In recent years, Italy’s craft beer industry has seen remarkable growth, fostering the local production of key ingredients, notably hops. However, a research gap exists in exploring open-field hop productivity in typical Mediterranean climates using low-trellis systems. This study addressed this gap by evaluating the productive performances of “Cascade” and “Chinook” hop varieties on “V” trellis systems at different heights (2.60, 3.60, and 4.60 m above ground) in inner Sicily’s Mediterranean climate and soil conditions. The results highlighted the significant impact of trellis height on various parameters, with Cascade displaying exceptional adaptability to low-trellis farming. Key factors like stem and leaf weight emerged as crucial drivers of cone yield, emphasizing their significance in hop cultivation. The distinct responses of Cascade and Chinook varieties to varying trellis heights underscored the need for tailored approaches, offering valuable insights for optimizing hop cultivation practices in semi-arid climates.

Degradation of obidoxime chloride solution for injection upon long- term storage under field conditions of Mediterranean climate vs the controlled environment

Degradation of obidoxime chloride solution for injection upon long- term storage under field conditions of Mediterranean climate vs the controlled environment

Novel approach to roof rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge in an urban environment: Dry and wet infiltration wells comparison

In urban environments there is a severe reduction of infiltration and groundwater recharge due to the existence of large impervious areas. During rain events, large volumes of water that could have recharged groundwater and surface water bodies are diverted into the municipal drainage system and lost from the freshwater storage. Moreover, extreme rain events impose high peak flows and large runoff volumes, which increase the risk of urban floods. Recent studies have suggested the use of rainwater harvesting for groundwater recharge, as a plausible solution for these challenges in dense urban environments. While the benefits of this approach are well understood, research on its practical, engineering, and hydrological aspects is relatively limited. The objective of the present study was to examine the use of infiltration wells for groundwater recharge with harvested rainwater collected from building rooftops under Mediterranean climate conditions. Two types of wells with similar hydraulic and technical properties were examined: a well that reaches the groundwater (wet well); and a well that discharges the harvested water into the unsaturated zone (dry well). Infiltration capacities of the wells were compared in controlled experiments conducted during summer months, and in operational recharge of harvested rainwater, during winter. Both dry and wet wells were found to be suitable for purposes of groundwater recharge with rooftop-harvested rainwater. Infiltration capacity of the wet well was about seven times greater than the infiltration capacity of the dry well. While the infiltration capacity of the wet well was constant throughout the entire length of the study (∼10 m3/h/m), the dry well infiltration capacity improved during winter (from 0.5 m3/h/m to 1.5 m3/h/m), a result of development of the dry well with time. Considering Tel-Aviv, Israel, as a case study for a dense modern city in a Mediterranean climate, it is demonstrated herein that the use of infiltration wells may reduce urban drainage by ∼40 %.

Dynamics of Agronomic Characteristics and Plant Diversity in Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora Paláu) Cultivation in Greece

Nowadays, there is an increasing negative environmental effect of using chemical fertilizer. For this reason, the use of biofertilizers is promoted in the agriculture sector. The purpose of this investigation was to carry out an evaluation of the effects of biological fertilizer (biofertilizers are organic materials that can be used to improve soil properties) use on the growth and agronomic characteristics of Aloysia citrodora. To achieve this aim, a two-year randomized complete blocks field experiment was carried out in central Greece. The experiment included four biological fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 N kg ha−1) with three replications. Plant height, dry stem, dry leaves, dry total yield and leaf area index (LAI) were measured during the two growing years. The results showed that in the first and second studied years, the maximum plant height and total dry yield were observed in the BF150 treatment. Moreover, LAI was ameliorated by applying the BF100 and BF150 treatments in both studied years. A key finding in this study is that the A. citrodora ecosystem favors herbaceous plant species richness. Also, soil factors (soil organic matter, P and K) promote positive herbaceous plant diversity within the A. citrodora ecosystem. Finally, A. citrodora could be a promising medicinal plant, cultivated under Mediterranean climatic conditions.

Characterization of stomatal density and size of different vitis vinifera L. cultivars growing in Mediterranean climate conditions

The stomatal traits of 13 red and white grapevine cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. established in a cultivar collection garden in central Chile were characterized in this study. The cultivars examined were ‘Cabernet Franc’, ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Carmenere’, ‘Cot’, ‘Grenache’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Mourvedre’, ‘Pinot Noir’, ‘Syrah’, ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Marzanne’, ‘Roussane’, and ‘Sauvignon Blanc’. Transparent nail polish peel prints in four adult leaves per vine were obtained and examined under a light microscope at 10 ×. The number of stomata in 0.196 mm2 was counted, and their length and width were measured using image analysis software. With these variables, the stomatal area and stomatal density were obtained. The ‘Cot’ cultivar had the largest stomata and stomatal area, while the ‘Mourvedre’ cultivar had the smallest stomata and stomatal area. ‘Chardonnay’ had the highest number of stomata and stomatal density, while ‘Carmenere’ had the lowest. The red grapevine cultivars exhibited larger and fewer stomata than the white grapevine cultivars, corroborating different adaptations for the environmental modulation of stomatal conductance and transpiration.

Effects of Different Harvest Stages on Forage Yield and Quality of Soybean Cultivars Grown as Second Crops

In this study, the effect of three different harvesting stages [full bloom stage (R2), full pod stage (R4), and full seed stage (R6)] on forage yield and quality of three soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars (Adasoy, Derry and Yeşilsoy) were evaluated under Mediterranean climate conditions in Adana, Türkiye in second crop seasons. Plant height, green herbage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein (CP), crude protein yield (CPY), leaf and stem ratio, dry matter intake (DMI), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM) and relative feed value (RFV) were determined. The results showed that the average plant height of three soybean cultivars was 106.5-203.5 cm and green herbage yield was 190 42-603 50 kg ha-1. The highest values were obtained from cv. Derry at R4 and R6 harvest stages. In both years, the highest CPY values were determined from the R6 harvest stages. Obtained ADF, NDF, DMI, DDM, and RFV values were found to be between 32.8-47.1%, 41.1-59.3%, 2.0-3.6%, 52.1-63.3%, 83.0-180.2%, respectively, and the best results were obtained from the R6 harvest stage of cv. Yeşilsoy. According to these results, in second crop conditions, while cv. Derry came to the fore of soybean yield, cv. Yeşilsoy stands out in terms of quality. As a result, it is thought that it is appropriate to harvest soybean in the R6 harvest period, the use of soybean as a green herbage should be expanded and its addition to feed rations can provide positive contributions.

Impact of grafting and deficit irrigation on yield of melon (cucumis melo l.)

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of grafting and deficit irrigation on yield of melon grown under different water stress conditions. The plant materials used in the study were Ünlü melon grafted on the rootstock of Ferro melon and ungrafted Ünlü melon species. Water was applied at the level of 80, 60 and 40% of the water applied to the full irrigation level (I100=100%). Grafting significantly affected the fruit number of the plants. The fruit number in the ungrafted applications was higher than that in the grafted applications. Effects of grafting application and irrigation level on fruit weight was significant. The fruit weight in the ungrafted applications was higher than that in the grafted applications. Outcome indicated that there was no significant loss in yield, fruit number, or fruit weight of melons under application of 20% water deficit to the plants. Findings also revealed that the amount of irrigation water for melon cultivation can be safely reduced by 20% under Mediterranean climate conditions. Bangladesh J. Bot. 52(4): 925-932, 2023 (December)

A RESEARCH ON THE HAY YIELD AND QUALITY OF ALFALFA CULTIVARS WITH DIFFERENT FALL DORMANCY RATES UNDER MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE CONDITIONS

This research was carried out as two separate trials established in two different years to determine the effects&#x0D; of different seed ratios and harvest stages of different annual companion crop species on the hay yield and&#x0D; botanical composition of a pasture mixture under Mediterranean climate conditions. The field trials were&#x0D; established in a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. The research&#x0D; results showed that barley, annual ryegrass, and berseem clover can be utilized as companion crops in&#x0D; artificial pasture systems. The inclusion of these companion crop species in the pasture mixture resulted in an&#x0D; increase in forage yield and a significant decrease in weed infestation. While delaying the harvest stage of the&#x0D; companion crop does not have a notable effect on the proportion of legumes and weeds in the total biomass, it&#x0D; significantly enhances the dry forage yield and the proportion of grasses in the overall biomass of the mixture.

EFFECTS OF COMPANION CROP ON THE HAY YIELD AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF PASTURE UNDER MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE CONDITIONS

This research was carried out as two separate trials established in two different years to determine the effects of different seed ratios and harvest times of different annual companion crop species on the hay yield and botanical composition of a pasture mixture under Mediterranean climate conditions. The field trials were established in a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement in three replications. The research results showed that barley, annual ryegrass, and berseem clover can be utilized as companion crops in artificial pasture systems. The inclusion of these companion crop species in the pasture mixture resulted in an increase in forage yield and a significant decrease in weed infestation. While delaying the harvest time of the companion crop does not have a notable effect on the proportion of legumes and weeds in the total biomass, it significantly enhances the dry forage yield and the proportion of grasses in the overall biomass of the mixture.

Root exudates from weedy ryegrass hybrid type and selected crop plants affect soil microbial communities in two soil types of the Western Cape, South Africa

&lt;p&gt;All growing plant roots have the ability to produce root exudates to which soil microbes are attracted. The objective of this study was to utilise the Biolog EcoPlate™ system to indicate the impact of soil type on soil microbial communities in the rhizosphere following treatment with pot leachates that contain various plant root exudates. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in 2021 and repeated in 2022 from May until July (southern hemisphere) in this winter rainfall area with Mediterranean climatic conditions. This ensured that natural daylight hours in the greenhouse coincided with those experienced in the field by winter-growing crops, from seeding until maturity (May to October). Pot leachate that contained various plant root exudates from six donor plant species (wheat, barley, two lupine cultivars, ryegrass pasture type, and weedy ryegrass hybrid type) was utilised as treatment for respective recipient pots, in which wheat (&lt;em&gt;Triticum aestivum&lt;/em&gt; v. SST 027) was grown as a test plant. Recipient plants were grown in two sets of pots, each with two different soil types. Soil samples from recipient pots were used to inoculate the Biolog EcoPlate™ system, and the carbon utilisation patterns obtained in this process were compared to the soil microbial populations present in the soil samples collected prior to treatments. Pot leachate treatment effects on the two soil types differed. Similarly, the treatments had differential effects on the measured soil microbial populations of the recipient wheat plants. Results indicate that the pattern of substrate utilisation by the Biolog EcoPlate™ methodology indicates changes in the number of colony forming units in the soil. In this regard, it was clear that ryegrass pasture variety and weedy ryegrass hybrid type caused similar effects on the soil bacteria communities in the rhizosphere. It is concluded that the primary impact of soil type is distinct microbial communities as an important factor regulating plant and plant-microbe synergy. Secondly, due to the strong selective forces root exudates have on the soil microbiome, conspicuous microbial communities in the rhizosphere of each plant species will continue to develop over time.&lt;/p&gt;

Seasonal variations of physiological responses, milk production, and fatty acid profile of local crossbred cows in Tunisia.

The study investigates the seasonal variations of physiological responses, milk yield, milk composition, and milk fatty acid profile of local crossbred cows (Friesian × Brown Atlas) in northwestern Tunisia. A total of 80 multiparous cows from smallholder farmers were sampled between 2018 and 2019. The cows were feed the same diet ad libitum and exposed to the same Mediterranean climatic conditions. Weekly rectal temperature (RT; °C), respiratory rate (RR; rpm), and heart rate (HR; bpm) were measured per cow in each season. Individual milk yield and samples were recorded bi-weekly and collected in duplicate for chemical analyses. Milk fatty acids (FAs) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results showed an increase (P < 0.05) in RT (+ 1.3%), RR (+ 12.1%), and HR (+ 9.9%) when the temperature-humidity index (THI) increased from winter (53.6) to summer (74.4) in response to heat stress. Milk yield did not vary significantly between seasons (8.3 L/day on average). Summer milk contained more fat (+ 7.8%) and log SCC (+ 13.7%). The proportion of the monounsaturated (31.2 vs. 27.2%) and polyunsaturated (4.29 vs. 3.86%) FAs decreased (P < 0.05) between winter and summer. Saturated FAs (64.5 vs. 67.7%) were higher (P < 0.05) in summer than in winter. Winter milk fat contained higher levels of C18:2cis-9 trans-11 (CLA) (0.73 vs. 0.56%) and ω-3 FA (0.83 vs. 0.63%), but a lower ω-6/ω-3 ratio (4.07 vs. 6.17%) compared to summer. As the cows were fed the same diet throughout the two seasons, the performances obtained were mainly due to the resistance of the local crossbred cow to the hot conditions. It is concluded that the local crossbred cow maintains its productivity and tolerate the hot Mediterranean climate.