Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Higher Education & Research in Plant Sciences. Expertise in Tree Fruit Postharvest & Environmental Stress Physiology.
Personal profile
I am working with an excellent international team of collaborators to resolve challenges in higher education in agriculture, food security for harsh environments, rural & human development, and agro-ecosystems, in Oman, MENA region & beyond. My long-established experience stems from my career portfolio in various academic, business & administrative positions. I am faculty at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), where I have been working for over 26 years progressing from Demonstrator to Professor. Some of the major highlights of my career at SQU being the first Omani to serve as the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. Prior to that, I have served as the Assistant Dean for Training & Community Services, at the same college at SQU.
As a Professor of Horticultural Sciences at SQU, I have more than 25 years of research and practical experience in arid-land farming, fruit production, postharvest, and sustainable agroecosystems. I teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses in horticultural sciences. I have done numerous public lectures and participated in international conferences around the world. My publications exceed 100 articles, book chapters and books and can be found in my profile at ResearchGate and Google Scholar.
I look forward to connecting with individuals with similar research interests for collaborative work. I also provide consultancy work for the public and private sectors in various areas of horticulture, arid-climate farming, food security, capacity building, and plant economic utilization & resource assessment & conservation.
Teaching
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A. Undergraduate Courses |
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CROP 3514: Fruit Production |
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CROP 4011: Plant Propagation |
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CROP2111: Urban Gardening |
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CROP 2011: Ornamental Horticulture |
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CROP 3001: Statistical Methods in Agriculture (Now, CAMS 3001: Biometry) |
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CROP 4512: Postharvest Physiology |
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CAMS 3002: Computer Applications II (Excel) |
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CROP 4900: Plant Science Special Problem |
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CROP 2510: Introduction to Crop Production |
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- Postgraduate Courses:
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CROP 6002: Fruit Tree Physiology |
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CROP 6020: Sustainable Agriculture (One Module on Traditional Farming Systems) |
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Food & Water Security Module |
Education/Academic qualification
Horticultural Sciences, University of, Florida
Jan 1 2000 → Dec 1 2004
Award Date: Jan 12 2014
External positions
Professor, University of Reading
Sept 1 2021 → Aug 31 2022
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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OLIVE: Olive: Innovation in Value addition and Expansion in Oman
Al-Yahyai, R. A. (PI) & Al-Habsi, N. (CoPI)
9/1/24 → 8/31/27
Project: HM Grants ( Strategic)
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Water-Plant Nexus: Maximizing the Added-Value and Economic Potential of Omani Plants
Al-Yahyai, R. A. (PI), Al-Maktoumi, A. (CoPI), Al Ismaily, S. (CoI) & Zekri, S. (CoI)
3/20/25 → 11/20/25
Project: Consultancy project
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Mitigating the impact of water and vegetation on Muscat International Airport: a detailed hdropedo-ecological investigation
Al-Maktoumi, A. (PI), Abdalla, O. (CoI), Al-Yahyai, R. A. (CoI), Al Ismaily, S. (CoI), Kassimov, A. (CoI) & Farfour, M. (CoI)
2/2/25 → 2/1/26
Project: Consultancy project
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Determining the Climatic Requirements for Cultivating Deciduous Fruit Crops in the Northern Mountains of Oman
Al-Yahyai, R. A. (PI)
1/1/24 → 1/31/26
Project: MoHERI
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Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Crop Production and Land and Water Resources in the Sultanate of Oman
Al Wardy, M. (PI), Al-Rawas, G. (CoPI), Nikoo, M. R. (CoI), Al Jabri, S. (CoI), Al-Yahyai, R. A. (CoI) & Farooq, M. (CoI)
11/15/23 → 12/31/24
Project: Consultancy project
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Calcium supplementation ameliorates salinity stress in apricot trees irrigated with reclaimed wastewater: a case study at the fragile terraces ecosystem of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, northern Oman Fower
Al Hosni, A., Joyce, D., Al-Yahyai, R., Hunter, M. & Perkins, M., Mar 2026, In: Acta Horticulturae. 1450, p. 61-68 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Genome-wide SNP analysis reveals genetic diversity and structure of wild and cultivated olives (Olea europaea L.) in Oman
Al-Yahyai, R. A., Halo, B. A., Al-Subhi, A. M. & Yaish, M. W., Dec 2026, In: Scientific Reports. 16, 1, 11490.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Molecular and pathogenic profiles of postharvest fungal pathogens in imported fruits and vegetables in Oman
Al-Maaini, R., Velazhahan, R., Al-Nadabi, H. H., Al-Yahyai, R. A., Hussain, S. & Al-Sadi, A. M., Jun 2026, In: Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences. 25, 5, 73.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Prospects of olive production in Oman
Al-Yahyai, R. & Al-Jabri, T., Jan 2026, In: Acta Horticulturae. 1, 1446, p. 1-10 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Response of the DUF630 gene family in soybean to drought stress: A comprehensive expression analysis
Zaynab, M., Sharif, Y., Khan, J., Al-Yahyai, R., Sadder, M. & Mohamed, R. A. E. H., Oct 2026, In: Computational Biology and Chemistry. 124, 109078.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Press/Media
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Oman’s mountain oasis reveals climate-resilient agricultural practices
6/25/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Oman to establish new agricultural city in Saham
6/17/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Oman’s mountain oases offer ancient farming lessons for a warming future
3/18/24
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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New Technology Findings from Sultan Qaboos University Outlined (Postharvest Quality, Technologies, and Strategies To Reduce Losses Along the Supply Chain of Banana: a Review)
Al-Yahyai, R. A., Al-Attabi, Z. & Pathare, P.
5/2/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Data from Sultan Qaboos University Broaden Understanding of Food Research (Physiological Response of Stored Pomegranate Fruit Affected by Simulated Impact)
Al-Yahyai, R. A. & Pathare, P.
3/29/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media