Capacity of center pivot systems and emitter discharges for citrus irrigation. A case study

Introduction: Given the reduction in water resources, irrigation should be carried out with the highest application efficiency. Irrigation pivots achieve application efficiencies close to localized systems; however, for citrus irrigation, the equations available for its design and management do not contribute to the efficient and rational use of water. Objective: Adapt the expression of the capacity of the machine and propose a new formulation for the discharge of the emitters, to adequately describe the operation of the central pivots for citrus irrigation. Method: Logical research methods were used and within these, the historical method and the deductive logic, to obtain the adequacy and the new equations presented. Results: The expression of the a coefficient was obtained to adapt the expression of the capacity of the machine and two new equations to calculate the necessary discharges of the emitters. They were applied to a case study. Conclusions: It was confirmed that the center pivot machines to irrigate citrus obtain water consumption and application efficiency comparable could with localized irrigation systems.Introducción: Dada la reducción de los recursos hídricos el riego se deberá realizar con la mayor eficiencia de aplicación. Los pivotes de riego alcanzan eficiencias de aplicación cercanas a los sistemas localizados; sin embargo, para el riego de cítricos, las ecuaciones disponibles para su diseño y manejo no contribuyen con el uso eficiente y racional del agua. Objetivo: Adecuar la expresión de la capacidad de la máquina y proponer una nueva formulación para las descargas de los emisores, para describir adecuadamente el funcionamiento de los pivotes centrales para el riego de cítricos. Metodología: Se emplearon métodos lógicos de investigación y dentro de estos, el método histórico y el lógico deductivo, para la obtención de la adecuación y las nuevas ecuaciones presentadas. Resultados: Se obtuvieron la expresión del coeficiente a para adecuar la expresión de la capacidad de la máquina y dos nuevas ecuaciones para calcular las descargas necesarias de los emisores. Se aplicaron a un caso de estudio. Conclusiones: Se confirmó que con las máquinas de pivote central para el riego de los cítricos se pudieran obtener consumo de agua y eficiencia de aplicación, comparables con los sistemas de riego localizado

Milkability and milking efficiency improvement in Murciano-Granadina breed goats

[EN] The aim of this study was to verify the effect of cluster, udder characteristics and milking parameters on milkability and milking efficiency of Murciano-Granadina breed goats, in order to improve them. The cluster used is well adapted to the goats, except that the teat-floor distance is too short for the teat-cup used and the cluster rests on the platform instead of hanging from the udder, something apparently attributed to a poor udder conformation rather than an excessively-long teat-cup. Udder parameters studied are classified as medium or medium-high by the Murciano-Granadina breed association, and do not seem to represent a problem for good milkability except for the teat sphincter strength, which reduced milk flows (P<0.001) and increased milking times (P<0.001). Maintaining 60% as pulsator ratio, a combination 42 kPa:120 ppm (vacuum level:pulsator rate) milking parameters reduced total milking time by 22 s per goat compared to 40 kPa:90 ppm, commonly used in this flock, but increased teat thickness measured before and after milking. Studies of longer duration are needed to ensure that the new Milking parameters do not affect the udder health status. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Fernández Martínez, N.; Martínez, A.; Martí Vicent, JV.; Rodríguez Garcia, M.; Peris Ribera, CJ. (2015). Milkability and milking efficiency improvement in Murciano-Granadina breed goats. Small Ruminant Research. 126:68-72. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2015.03.001S687212

Kid growth comparison between Murciano-Granadina and crossed Murciano-GranadinaxBoer in a mixed rearing system

[EN] Usually, goat dairy farms have a major problem with the kids they produce for sale, due to their low average daily gain, high feed conversion ratio and poor body conformation, which leads to poor profitability. This paper proposes a solution by crossing the dams not used for replacement with males of a meat breed in a mixed rearing system. The results show that crossbred kids (Murciano-GranadinaxBoer) reached the minimum slaughter weight a week earlier than Murciano-Granadina purebred kids, and that there is a decrease of energy content in milk and in the consumption by the kids as their age increases, which shows the importance of having a concentrated feed that complements their needs to express all the genetic potential for growth observed in the references, especially in the crossing of these two breeds. In addition to this, farms that follow this strategy will also be able to improve their profitability through a higher quantity of milk sold. In dairy goats, the low average daily gain and the high conversion ratio for milk and concentrate of the kids mean that their sale price does not offset the costs generated. The hypothesis proposes that a crossbreeding of the Murciano-Granadina breed (MG) with the Boer breed (MGxBoer) will improve the profitability of the kids sold. Thus, the effect of two different groups of kids (purebred MG and crossbred MGxBoer) on birth weight (BW), mortality, average daily gain (ADG), the time for minimum slaughter weight (7 kg) and its variation factors were studied. MGxBoer kids had a 27% greater BW than purebred MG kids (2885 +/- 84 g and 2275 +/- 74 g, respectively), similar ADG (156 +/- 6 g and 142 +/- 6 g, respectively) and mortality (18% and 20%, respectively), and reached minimum slaughter weight a week sooner. ADG was less and less as the lactation period progressed due to a lower milk consumption and milk energy value, which highlights the importance of providing a concentrate that will compensate for this reduced energy content. In conclusion, the results show that MGxBoer crossbred kids reached the minimum slaughter weight a week earlier than purebred MG kids, and highlighted the improvement of farm profitability through the increase of milk sold and the need to provide a concentrate feed to enhance the growth of the kids.This research was funded by the project RTA2013-00107 (INIA) with ERDF funds.Fernández Martínez, N.; Palomares Carrasco, JL.; Pérez Baena, I.; Rodríguez Garcia, M.; Peris Ribera, CJ. (2021). Kid growth comparison between Murciano-Granadina and crossed Murciano-GranadinaxBoer in a mixed rearing system. Animals. 11(4):1-9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041051S1911

Effect of the rearing system on financial returns from Murciano-Granadina breed goats

[EN] In dairy goats, the kid rearing system can have critical importance in financial returns. Commonly used criteria for the choice of rearing system are not always clear due to the high number of factors involved. The aim of this study was to quantify all those factors to facilitate decision making. So, the effect of two different kid rearing systems, mixed (MRS) and artificial (ARS), on milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC), milk yield loss at weaning for MRS, kid growth and costs of the different traits on the financial returns in Murciano-Granadina breed goats was studied. Twenty-four goats per group were used. In the MRS, goats reared only one kid, which had free access to goat milk 24 h a day and were weaned at week 6 of lactation, whereas kids in the ARS were separated from their mothers at kidding, colostrum and artificially reared. In both systems, dams were machine-milked once a day throughout lactation and the records took place weekly. Potential milk yield was estimated according to the oxytocin method up to week 12 of lactation, and was similar for both rearing systems, although a 12.3 per cent drop in potential milk yield at weaning was observed for MRS. During the first 6 weeks of lactation, marketable milk was lower for dams in MRS compared to those in ARS (72.1 versus 113.0 l), but similar for the rest of the experiment (101.5 versus 99.4 l, respectively). Marketable milk composition and SCC throughout the 12 weeks of lactation were unaffected by the rearing system. Artificial rearing system entailed an increment in production cost of 22.2 € per kid compared to the rearing by MRS. A similar economic return per goat and kid was obtained from ARS and MRS in this experiment, although, due to one herd¿s prolificacy of 1.8, the actual results would be 16.2 € per goat in favour of MRS. The real interest of this experiment may be the possibility of extrapolation to different flocks with diverse levels of milk production, prolificacy and prices and costs for incomes and outputs, to estimate the production system that increases returns. In conclusion, the results showed an increase in the cost of € 22.2 per kid bred in the artificial rearing system, compared to the mixed rearing system, and a final return of 16.2 € per goat in favour of the mixed system.This work was funded by the project RTA2013-00107 (INIA) with FEDER funds.Fernández Martínez, N.; Palomares Carrasco, JL.; Pérez Baena, I.; Rodríguez Garcia, M.; Peris Ribera, CJ. (2019). Effect of the rearing system on financial returns from Murciano-Granadina breed goats. Animal. 13(8):1730-1735. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731118003336S17301735138Silanikove, N., Leitner, G., Merin, U., & Prosser, C. G. (2010). Recent advances in exploiting goat’s milk: Quality, safety and production aspects. Small Ruminant Research, 89(2-3), 110-124. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2009.12.033Doney, J. M., Peart, J. N., Smith, W. F., & Louda, F. (1979). A consideration of the techniques for estimation of milk yield by suckled sheep and a comparison of estimates obtained by two methods in relation to the effect of breed, level of production and stage of lactation. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 92(1), 123-132. doi:10.1017/s0021859600060573Delgado-Pertíñez, M., Guzmán-Guerrero, J. L., Mena, Y., Castel, J. M., González-Redondo, P., & Caravaca, F. P. (2009). Influence of kid rearing systems on milk yield, kid growth and cost of Florida dairy goats. Small Ruminant Research, 81(2-3), 105-111. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2008.12.007Ali, A. K. A., & Shook, G. E. (1980). An Optimum Transformation for Somatic Cell Concentration in Milk. Journal of Dairy Science, 63(3), 487-490. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(80)82959-6Peaker, M., & Wilde, C. J. (1996). Feedback control of milk secretion from milk. Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia, 1(3), 307-315. doi:10.1007/bf02018083Baumrucker, C. R., & Blum, J. R. (1993). Secretion of insulin-like growth factors in milk and their effect on the neonate. Livestock Production Science, 35(1-2), 49-72. doi:10.1016/0301-6226(93)90181-gLabussière, J. (1988). Review of physiological and anatomical factors influencing the milking ability of ewes and the organization of milking. Livestock Production Science, 18(3-4), 253-274. doi:10.1016/0301-6226(88)90035-8Sanz B 2005. Tipo de alimentación, modo de encalostrar y estacionalidad de la paridera como factores condicionantes del crecimiento de los cabritos lechales de la raza Murciano-Granadina (Type of feeding, colostrum administration method and seasonality of births as conditioning factors of kid growth in Murciano-Granadina breed). In Proceedings of the XXXth Jornadas Científicas de la Sociedad Española de Ovinotecnia y Caprinotecnia, 28 September to 1 October, Granada, Spain, pp. 236–238.LABUSSIÈRE, J., COMBAUD, J.-F., PETREQUIN, P., & CHESNE, P. (1974). INFLUENCE DE LA FRÉQUENCE DES TRAITES ET DES TÉTÉES SUR LA PRODUCTION LAITIÈRE DES BREBIS PRÉALPES DU SUD. Annales de Zootechnie, 23(4), 445-457. doi:10.1051/animres:19740403Delgado-Pertíñez, M., Guzmán-Guerrero, J. L., Caravaca, F. P., Castel, J. M., Ruiz, F. A., González-Redondo, P., & Alcalde, M. J. (2009). Effect of artificial vs. natural rearing on milk yield, kid growth and cost in Payoya autochthonous dairy goats. Small Ruminant Research, 84(1-3), 108-115. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2009.06.014Eik LO , Eknœs M , Havrevoll Ø , Garmo T , Raats J and Ädnøy T 1999. Partial suckling during the grazing period as a management tool for improving the annual production patterns of goat’s milk in Norway. In Proceedings of the VIth International Symposium on Milking of Small Ruminants, 26 September to 1 October 1999, Athens, Greece, pp. 263–266.Fernández, N., Balasch, S., Pérez, I., Rodríguez, M., & Peris, C. (2013). Milk yield estimation during suckling using the double oxytocin injection-milking and the double weighing–suckling methods in dairy goats. Small Ruminant Research, 112(1-3), 181-185. doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.12.023Gargouri A , Caja G , Such X , Ferrett A , Casals R and Peris S 1993. Evaluation of a mixed system of milking and suckling in Manchega dairy ewes. In Proceedings of the Vth International Symposium on the Milking of Small Ruminants, 14–20 May 1993, Budapest, Hungary, pp. 484–499.Keskin, M. (2002). Effect of Rearing Systems on Kid Performance, Lactation Traits and Profitability of Shami (Damascus) Goats. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 22(2), 267-271. doi:10.1080/09712119.2002.9706409McCance, I. (1959). The determination of milk yield in the Merino ewe. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(6), 839. doi:10.1071/ar9590839McKusick, B. C., Thomas, D. L., & Berger, Y. M. (2001). Effect of Weaning System on Commercial Milk Production and Lamb Growth of East Friesian Dairy Sheep. Journal of Dairy Science, 84(7), 1660-1668. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(01)74601-2McKusick, B. C., Thomas, D. L., Romero, J. E., & Marnet, P. G. (2002). Effect of Weaning System on Milk Composition and Distribution of Milk Fat within the Udder of East Friesian Dairy Ewes. Journal of Dairy Science, 85(10), 2521-2528. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(02)74335-xPeris, S., Caja, G., Such, X., Casals, R., Ferret, A., & Torre, C. (1997). Influence of Kid Rearing Systems on Milk Composition and Yield of Murciano-Granadina Dairy Goats. Journal of Dairy Science, 80(12), 3249-3255. doi:10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(97)76299-4Requena, R., Balasch, S., Peris, C., Rodríguez, M., & Fernández, N. (2010). Dose response of lactating dairy ewes during suckling and milking to bovine somatotropin1. Journal of Animal Science, 88(9), 3136-3144. doi:10.2527/jas.2009-2690Requena R , Molina P , Fernández N , Rodríguez M , Peris C and Torres A 1999. Changes in milk and cheese composition throughout lactation in Manchega sheep. In Proceedings of the VIth International Symposium on Milking of Small Ruminants, 26 September to 1 October 1999, Athens, Greece, pp. 501–506.Sanz Sampelayo, M. R., Hernandez-Clua, O. D., Naranjo, J. A., Gil, F., & Boza, J. (1990). Utilization of goat milk vs. milk replacer for granadina goat kids. Small Ruminant Research, 3(1), 37-46. doi:10.1016/0921-4488(90)90029-6Silanikove, N., Merin, U., & Leitner, G. (2006). Physiological role of indigenous milk enzymes: An overview of an evolving picture. International Dairy Journal, 16(6), 533-545. doi:10.1016/j.idairyj.2005.08.015Marnet, P.-G., & Negrão, J. A. (2000). The effect of a mixed-management system on the release of oxytocin, prolactin, and cortisol in ewes during suckling and machine milking. Reproduction Nutrition Development, 40(3), 271-281. doi:10.1051/rnd:200013

Pointing Out Some Issues Regarding Reproduction Management in Murciano-Granadina Goats

[EN] The hypothesis of this experiment proposes that it could be possible to identify pregnant goats through maximum progesterone milk levels at any time in the pregnancy, and that there is an optimal moment to apply a lactation inhibitor to dry off lactating goats. The maximum progesterone concentration in milk varied depending on the season of the year, and those concentrations were similar for pregnant and non-pregnant goats, but significantly higher in the case of gestating goats with four foetuses, for which it would be possible to distinguish the pregnancy. The milk yield of goats at mating does not affect fertility until a value of at least 3250 mL/day. If using lactation inhibitors, their application up to the 10th week post-mating would be optimal for drying off lactating goats. Two of the most important problems in high-yielding dairy goat farms are early and accurate pregnancy diagnosis and the appropriate dry off of lactating does before the next kidding. The hypothesis posits that it could be possible to identify pregnant does through maximum progesterone milk levels at any time during the pregnancy, and that there is an optimal time to apply a lactation inhibitor to help dry off lactating does. Therefore, 114 Murciano-Granadina breed goats were used, from which 74 goats were inseminated at week 20 of lactation and samples of milk from pregnant and non-pregnant goats were taken at two-week intervals. The average maximum progesterone milk levels were higher outside the natural breeding season (40 degrees latitude) than in the breeding season (11.6 +/- 1.13 vs. 8.6 +/- 1.02 ng/mL), although the levels from pregnant and non-pregnant goats were similar (10.85 +/- 1.3 vs. 9.74 +/- 1.6 ng/mL), except in the case of pregnancy with four foetuses (12.5 +/- 1.3 ng/mL). Milk yield at mating does not affect fertility until a value of at least 3250 mL/day. Pregnancy started to affect milk yield up to the +7th week and was 59.9% lower in the +10th week after mating, so the use of lactation inhibitors could be more effective from this latter week. In conclusion, the results show that it is not possible to detect gestation in goats reliably through the maximum concentration of progesterone in milk at any time during lactation, except in the case of goats gestating four foetuses, that the milk yield of goats at mating does not affect fertility until a value of at least 3250 mL/day, and that from the 10th week post-mating, the application of lactation inhibitors would be optimal.This research was funded by the project RTA2017-00049-C02-02 (Agencia Estatal de Investigación) with ERDF funds.Fernández Martínez, N.; Beltrán Martínez, MC.; Romero, G.; Roca, MA.; Rodríguez Garcia, M.; Balasch Parisi, S. (2021). Pointing Out Some Issues Regarding Reproduction Management in Murciano-Granadina Goats. Animals. 11(6):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061781S11311

Effect of stress on somatic cell count and milk yield and composition in goats

[EN] There is little information about the effect of the stress on Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and milk yield and composition in goats. A total of 40 goats in their 4th month of lactation were assigned to two groups: stress (STR) and untreated (CON). Goats of STR were exposed to acute stress (visual and auditory stimulus from a barking dog for 20 min on day 0). After the stress, average values of plasma cortisol were higher in STR than CON (P = 3 goats (P = 3 goats (P = 3 produced 11% less milk compared with day 0 and, regarding milk composition, only lactose showed a significant drop. Stressed parity 1 + 2 goats showed no changes in SCC and milk yield and composition. We conclude that, in goats, stress is a non-infectious factor that can interfere in the use of SCC as an indirect method of intramammary infection (IMI) detection or, in bulk tank milk, as a commercial milk quality parameter.Mehdid, MEA.; Marti-De Olives, A.; Fernández Martínez, N.; Rodríguez Garcia, M.; Peris Ribera, CJ. (2019). Effect of stress on somatic cell count and milk yield and composition in goats. Research in Veterinary Science. 125:61-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2019.05.015S617012

Vindicación de la democracia española : contestación al folleto de D. Enrique O'Donnell

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Terminal Crossbreeding of Murciano-Granadina Goats with Boer Bucks: Characteristics of the Carcass and the Meat

[EN] In Murciano-Granadina-breed dairy goat farms, meat production from purebred kids is not very profitable due to its high costs, so it is proposed to cross unused dairy females to produce a replacement for the herd with a breed specialised for meat production, i.e., the Boer breed. Our previous results verified that this crossbreeding strategy improved the productive characteristics of the kids (growth and costs), so the aim of this work was to ascertain its consequences on the carcass and meat characteristics of suckling kids (9 kg weight at slaughter) of both sexes. Ninety-four kids were used. It was found that crossbred kids reached slaughter weight at a younger age, and although their carcass yield did not improve, they did show higher muscle/bone and meat/bone ratios and better meat texture (less firmness). In turn, males slightly improved the proportion of expensive cuts, but their carcasses contained a lower proportion of intermuscular fat and lower muscle/bone and meat/bone ratios than females. There were no sensory differences in any case. It is concluded that this crossbreeding also improves the carcass and meat characteristics, constituting a valid alternative to improve the economic results of Murciano-Granadina breed herds. After verifying productive improvements from the crossbreeding (MB) of Boer males with females of the Murciano-Granadina (MG) breed, the aim of this work was to determine its consequences on the carcass and meat characteristics of suckling kids (9 kg of weight at slaughter) of both sexes. A total of 94 kids (25 purebred MG males, 19 purebred MG females, 25 crossed MB males and 25 crossed MB females) were used. It was found that MB kids reached slaughter weight at a younger age (44 +/- 1 vs. 63 +/- 1 days, p < 0.001). For carcass yield, the interaction genotype x sex was observed, where MB females presented a higher value (51.71 +/- 0.34%) than the rest of the animals (MB males 50.53 +/- 0.34, p < 0.05; MG males 50.60 +/- 0.34, p < 0.05; MG females 49.62 +/- 0.39, p < 0.001). MB kids had greater leg compactness, (36.28 +/- 0.27 vs. 34.71 +/- 0.29 g/cm, p < 0.001), slightly improved expensive carcass cuts (75.93 +/- 0.31 vs. 74.77 +/- 0.34%, p = 0.014) and higher muscle/bone (2.93 +/- 0.03 vs. 2.76 +/- 0.03, p < 0.001) and meat/bone ratios (3.56 +/- 0.04 vs. 3.36 +/- 0.04, p < 0.001) than MG kids. They also showed a somewhat more intense red colour (8.57 +/- 0.25 vs. 7.74 +/- 0.27, p = 0.027), higher colour saturation (9.06 +/- 0.24 vs. 8.20 +/- 0.26, p = 0.016) and less meat firmness (1.95 +/- 0.08 vs. 2.23 +/- 0.081 kg/cm(2), p = 0.021). On the other hand, males had a slightly improved proportion of expensive cuts (75.98 +/- 0.31 vs. 74.73 +/- 0.34, p = 0.008), but their carcass contained a higher proportion of bone (22.16 +/- 0.21 vs. 21.17 +/- 0.17%; p < 0.001), a lower proportion of intermuscular fat (9.54 +/- 0.24 vs. 10.93 +/- 0.24, p < 0.001), a higher muscle/fat ratio (5.01 +/- 0.10 vs. 4.41 +/- 0.10, p < 0.001) and lower muscle/bone (2.80 +/- 0.03 vs. 2.89 +/- 0.03%, p = 0.016) and meat/bone ratios (3.36 +/- 0.04 vs. 3.56 +/- 0.04%, p < 0.001) than females. There were no sensory differences in any case. It is concluded that this crossbreeding strategy also improves the carcass and meat characteristics, making it a valid alternative to improve the productive results of MG dairy goat herds.This research was funded by the project RTA2013-00107 (INIA) with FEDER funds.Pérez Baena, I.; Peris Ribera, CJ.; Fernández Martínez, N.; Franch-Dasí, J.; Sagbay, C.; Teran-Piña, JC.; Rodríguez Garcia, M. (2022). Terminal Crossbreeding of Murciano-Granadina Goats with Boer Bucks: Characteristics of the Carcass and the Meat. Animals. 12(19):1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12192548117121

Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Isolated Left Ventricular Noncompaction Associated With Lamin A/C Gene Mutations

[Abstract] LMNA mutations have been associated with familial or sporadic dilated cardiomyopathy (DC), with or without conduction system disease. We studied the LMNA gene in 67 consecutive patients with DC (18 had familial DC, 17 had possible familial DC, and 32 sporadic DC). From genomic DNA, coding regions of the LMNA gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, studied by single-strand conformation polymorphism, and cycle sequenced. Mutations were confirmed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Two disease-causing mutations were found in families A and B. In family A, a novel R349L mutation was present in the mother and her identical twin daughters. They required cardiac transplantation at 36, 18, and 20 years of age. In family B, the R190W mutation was present in 2 cousins with DC and without conduction system disease (1 had cardiac transplantation at 45 years of age and 1 died suddenly at 46 years of age) and in 2 of their sons. The mothers of the 2 affected patients died due to cardiac causes in their 40s (1 died suddenly). One of the carriers fulfilled diagnostic criteria for isolated left ventricular noncompaction. Our data associated the R349L and R190W mutations in LMNA with severe forms of familial DC. LMNA mutations should be considered in the genetic screening of patients with familial DC without conduction system disease. Isolated left ventricular noncompaction may be part of the phenotypic spectrum of the laminopathies.Xunta de Galicia; PGIDT00PXI13401P

An evaluation of SMOS L-band vegetation optical depth (L-VOD) data sets:high sensitivity of L-VOD to above-ground biomass in Africa

The vegetation optical depth (VOD) measured at microwave frequencies is related to the vegetation water content and provides information complementary to visible/infrared vegetation indices. This study is devoted to the characterization of a new VOD data set obtained from SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) satellite observations at L-band (1.4 GHz). Three different SMOS L-band VOD (LVOD) data sets (SMOS level 2, level 3 and SMOS-IC) were compared with data sets on tree height, visible/infrared indexes (NDVI, EVI), mean annual precipitation and above-ground biomass (AGB) for the African continent. For all relationships, SMOS-IC showed the lowest dispersion and highest correlation. Overall, we found a strong (R > 0.85) correlation with no clear sign of saturation between L-VOD and four AGB data sets. The relationships between L-VOD and the AGB data sets were linear per land cover class but with a changing slope depending on the class type, which makes it a global non-linear relationship. In contrast, the relationship linking L-VOD to tree height (R = 0.87) was close to linear. For vegetation classes other than evergreen broadleaf forest, the annual mean of L-VOD spans a range from 0 to 0.7 and it is linearly correlated with the average annual precipitation. SMOS L-VOD showed higher sensitivity to AGB compared to NDVI and K/X/C-VOD (VOD measured at 19, 10.7 and 6.9 GHz). The results showed that, although the spatial resolution of L-VOD is coarse (similar to 40 km), the high temporal frequency and sensitivity to AGB makes SMOS L-VOD a very promising indicator for large-scale monitoring of the vegetation status, in particular biomass