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ABOUT
APRP
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Phase
I
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| Phase
I Achievements Agroecological Characterization This work facilitates the four main research components. Because the environments and land use systems of the Arabian Peninsula are highly diverse, it is important that site-specific research is underpinned by agroecological characterization at a level that is adequate to upscale the research results. Activities included:
A review of the status of agroecological characterization in all seven Arabian Peninsula countries was conducted by ICARDA's Senior Agroclimatologist, with a view to identifying NARS' research interests, potential partner institutions, training needs and the current data available. A report "Status of Agroecological Characterization in the Arabian Peninsula" was presented to the 2nd Regional Technical Coordination Meetings in 1998. Based on this report, a plan of work was developed for the exploratory agroecological characterization of the Arabian Peninsula and development of a meta-database of land and water resources information on CD-ROM. The exploratory agroecological characterization is a compilation of existing low-resolution land resource data, integrated within GIS. The following themes have been, or are currently being, incorporated into the GIS framework: agroclimatic zones, terrain, land and vegetation cover, soil associations, derived soil properties and agroclimatic variables (rainfall, temperature, potential evapotranspiration and water balance). Based on these data, small-scale maps (at scales between 1:10,000,000 to 1: 1,000,000, depending on the data source) are produced electronically through the GIS program. Two scientists from the national program have received short-term on-the-job training at ICARDA in agroecological characterization methods, including analysis of land use in Oman using Landsat imagery, and development of an agroecological data base for Yemen. On Farm Water Use and Irrigation Management The activities in this theme include:
One of the primary methods of improving irrigation management is irrigation scheduling (the application of the correct amount of water at the correct time). Too little water causes crop stress and loss of yield. Too much water causes problems such as runoff, deep percolation of water and chemicals below the root zone, and poor soil aeration. Irrigation scheduling requires good estimates of crop water requirements and soil water content over time. Specialized equipment for these purposes (a TDR soil water meter and an automatic weather station) was purchased for use in the UAE to obtain more accurate measurements of water use efficiency. At the same time, existing crop water use models have been identified and are being evaluated, including one developed in Saudi Arabia. In assessing productivity, there will always be a trade-off between production per unit area of land and irrigation water use efficiency (production per unit of water). However, there is likely to be a point somewhere between no irrigation and full irrigation, which, for any species, will result in the optimum irrigation water use efficiency and production per unit area. Deficit irrigation is intended to provide the optimum amount of water needed based on soil water content and crop water requirements. It is likely that indigenous desert species will perform better than conventional imported forage species under such deficit irrigation. Most of the work on water use efficiency in this phase was directed towards measurements of water use efficiency of conventional species under full irrigation. This is the typical practice in the region, and the results form a baseline with which to compare alternative irrigation management practices and species. Experiments were conducted in UAE, Oman, and Yemen. In the UAE, it was clearly demonstrated that applying water in excess of crop needs, as is commonly practiced by farmers, did not result in higher yields of alfalfa. Treatments of 33% and 67% additional water above the control level did not improve yields. There is thus an opportunity to save water through better irrigation scheduling without adversely affecting economic performance. In Oman, the response of alfalfa from the Batinah coastal region and from the interior was compared with three varieties of Rhodes grass and with mixtures of Rhodes grass with alfalfa. A single irrigation amount was applied to all the plots based on measurements of soil water content and weather. The period from 26 Jan 1998 to 9 February 1999 resulted in 12 cuts of alfalfa and 8 cuts of Rhodes grass. The water use efficiency (WUE) of alfalfa was approximately 1.7 kg/m3 dry matter, while for Rhodes grass WUE varied from 2.1 to 2.4 kg/ m3. In Yemen, WUE of the species tested varied from 0.5 to 1.5 kg/ m3. In Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, important progress was also made, although the results are currently incomplete. Saudi Arabia has begun an experiment in the northern region of Al-Jouf, using center-pivot irrigation, to compare alfalfa with an indigenous forage species. In Riyadh, the research center has acquired a state of the art linear-move irrigation system to enable precise irrigation experiments on any crop. In Kuwait, experiments were initiated at Sulaibiyah on the WUE of irrigated and indigenous under full irrigation. In the UAE, an experiment was established to compare two indigenous species with the two commonly used conventional species using an irrigation system that applies a gradient of irrigation amount. The indigenous species were grown from seeds collected from the UAE desert. The successful establishment of one of these species in particular (Coelachyrum piercei) represents an important breakthrough. These results are for a limited period, but there is some evidence from these experiments that water use efficiency varies with season. Of major importance for perennial species such as alfalfa and Rhodes grass is water use efficiency during the hot summer months when potential crop water use is very high. Different varieties of the same crop do have different water use efficiency, as expected. The fact that much of the water used for forage production is non-renewable indicates that higher WUE should be a priority as the value of the forage produced per cubic meter of water does not compare favorably with the replacement cost of the water, such as from desalination. These experiments are a significant achievement for the program in terms of the scientific results. However, they also represent an important achievement in terms of training and networking. The introduction of the latest technology and the experience in the use of computer models will have an important impact in the future. A training course on Irrigation and Fertigation was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in November 1998. The course was attended by trainees from all the Arabian Peninsula countries, some of whom are actively involved in the program's research projects. It combined classroom teaching with hands-on computer training and field measurements. Trainees had the opportunity to work with the new linear-move irrigation system that had just been installed at the National Agriculture and Water Research Center. Rangelands, Shrubs, Irrigated Forages and Livestock The ultimate goal of the work on rangelands and forages is to develop a more sustainable feed production system that reduces water consumption in the production of forage crops, supports sustainable livestock production systems and arrests the degradation of the rangelands. The agreed work program included activities in:
(1) Assessment of current status of germplasm collections of rangeland and forage species; collection, classification, and evaluation of indigenous rangeland plants, and seed multiplication for further testing. Because very little had been done previously in this area, an initial activity was a survey of existing research on rangeland plants and the status of germplasm collections. Based on this survey it was decided to conduct collections of indigenous rangeland and forage species, with a view to identifying species with potential for utilization:
Farmers, livestock herders and local residents of rangelands are a major source of information on the attributes and uses of rangeland species. This indigenous knowledge contributed to identifying a list of priority species that in the past had contributed to sustainable grazing systems. Once these species had been identified, the next step was to train the NARS staff in the region in their identification, collection and conservation for further research and evaluation. Once collected, the seed from these forages could then be multiplied and evaluated. The promising species, in terms of water use efficiency and nutritive value, would then be available as alternative sources of fodder and contribute to a restoration program. A list of 27 priority species was identified, including 10 grasses and 15 trees/shrubs, specific to the agroecosystems surveyed (UAE and Northern Oman). These priority species were identified according to certain criteria: perennial species were preferred (reducing the need for re-seeding), palatability (either observed or reported by farmers), and potential usefulness in ecosystem restoration or rehabilitation. Criteria varied depending on whether the species were assessed as potential forage crops, or for use in rangeland restoration or rehabilitation. A training program on "Germplasm Collection and Gene Bank Management" was held in March 1998, in the Sharjah Emirate. This was immediately followed by plant and seed collection missions in UAE, Oman. Similar collection missions are underway in Yemen. A database and herbarium specimens were also prepared. All the seed of the 182 accessions from UAE and Oman are stored in trust in the gene bank at ICARDA headquarters until appropriate national facilities are available. The collected germplasm from Yemen is stored in their recently developed gene bank in Dhamar. Bulk seed samples of the following important forages: Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum, Lasiurus scindicus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Dipterigium glaucum, Dichanthium foveolatum, Rhanterium eppaposum, Stipagrostis plumosa, Coelachyrum piercei and Calligonum comosum were made in the UAE with technical assistance from the ICARDA Seed Production Unit, who kindly lent the program some of their seed processing equipment and provided technical assistance, the seed was threshed and cleaned ready for storage and multiplication. Germination tests have been carried out on all the priority species and the more vigorous species were used in an experiment to quantify the water use efficiency. (2) Assessment of feed quality of important forages The nutritive quality of most indigenous desert plants in the Arabian Peninsula has not been determined. In collaboration with the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the UAE University in Al-Ain, the nutritive value of five desert grasses was measured in situ, using gas production techniques, in fistulated camels and goats. Initial results show that their nutritional value is as high as the introduced forage crop, Chloris gayana. (3) Rehabilitation of rangelands The results from phenological monitoring of desert species in UAE in fenced areas over a transect of land types, could provide guidance in how to manage grazing of these species, in particular identifying crucial periods when they should not be grazed. Work in Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia, has shown the recovery potential of rangelands in protected areas. Alternative methods for restoring/rehabilitating rangelands have been tested, including:
On-going work in Kuwait has focused on range revegetation on a degraded site, and experiments in managed rotational grazing using fenced paddocks. Abiotic Stresses The Arabian Peninsula is exposed to some of the harshest environmental conditions in the world, experiencing high temperatures that exceed 50OC, coupled with some of the lowest annual rainfall amounts and high levels of soil and water salinity. Work on abiotic stresses focuses on the field assessment of different forage crops for their tolerance to drought, heat and salinity. To provide tolerant germplasm to the Arabian Peninsula Countries, different forages and shrubs have been screened for salinity tolerance in the UAE. Barley lines were screened at three levels of salinity and assessed in terms of biomass, water use efficiency, crude protein and nutritive value. The lines showed a wide range in response. At lower levels of salinity a number of lines from ICARDA did well while the local Omani line gave the highest yields at the highest level of salinity, but its nutritional value was found to be lower than ICARDA lines. Pearl millet lines provided by ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) have also been screened for tolerance to heat and adaptation to hot summer and mild winter conditions. Initial results reveal a number of extremely promising lines. The results also confirm ICRISAT's data and as a result ICRISAT would now like to link with the countries of the Arabian Peninsula in screening its pearl millet material for abiotic stresses. As well as their adaptation to prevailing stresses, lines were found to have nutritional value (protein, ash and crude fibre content) exceeding that of barley. In Yemen and Bahrain, screening for tolerance to drought and heat has started well. Protected Agriculture An assessment of the current status of Protected Agriculture research and development in the Arabian Peninsula was completed and the review published. In March 1998, an International Workshop on Protected Agriculture for the Arabian Peninsula was held in Qatar. The main aim of this workshop was to review the state of the art of Protected Agriculture in the Arabian Peninsula, to identify the problems, constraints and priorities and develop a program of research and technology development. The main topics of discussion were:
Each of these topics was thoroughly reviewed by the international and regional experts and the various country representatives, providing a synthesis, a series of recommendations and a strategy for the next decade. The proceedings were printed and distributed. As a result of this productive interaction between the various international, regional and national experts a working strategy was developed. The agreed work program included:
In all countries, an integrated program of work was carried out to increase the output per unit of area, labor and water. An Integrated Production and Protection (IPP) Management program was developed for the region focusing on production practices and management of the greenhouse environment. The IPP is aiming to produce strong healthy plants with maximum protection from pests and diseases using safe control techniques with less or no hazardous chemicals. Some interesting results were achieved in Bahrain and UAE, while the implementation of the program is under assessment in the other countries. The issue of water use efficiency is important for the region and experiments with new growing techniques for improving the existing fertigation and irrigation methods were conducted in all the Arabian Peninsula countries. In Qatar, an extensive research program on soil-less culture techniques resulted in the development of different growing methods and techniques for different crops with high quality produce per unit of water. The Program is also focusing on the development of a simple greenhouse structure and covering materials suitable for the region's harsh climate with greater attention to ventilation and cooling systems. At Dhaid in the UAE, the green house structures were modified to improve the efficiency of ventilation. In Bahrain, a new prototype plastic house is being constructed to demonstrate different ways of making the industry more efficient, with respect to reducing water use, cooling costs and the number of insecticide sprays. In Kuwait, at PAAAFR, four new designs of greenhouse cooling systems are under assessment for their cooling and cost efficiency. In Yemen, developments in protected agriculture are relatively new and limited to the highlands and mountains. A diagnostic survey of protected agriculture has been conducted, which included an appraisal of farmers' current practices and identification of constraints, which will guide the development of a research and technology transfer program. A regional Protected Agriculture network using a home page on the Internet has been developed to maximize the collaboration among researchers, scientists and extension staff in the Arabian Peninsula countries and exchange of knowledge, information and expertise regionally and world-wide. Human Resource Development: Training and Workshops Six training programs were carried out in the region:
All six specialized training programs were given by ICARDA and other international and regional consultants. The programs, which on average lasted 10 days, were given in both Arabic and English. A total of 101 scientists were trained in 1998/1999, i.e., over 14 per country. In addition, 22 trainees from the seven countries of the Arabian Peninsula participated in short-term courses organized by ICARDA in their regular training program at headquarters. These included training courses in the integrated management of insect pests, seed production, processing and storage, experimental station operation management, library management and information technology, on-farm water use efficiency, use of GIS and remote sensing, DNA molecular marker techniques, biodiversity conservation, and plant genetic resources documentation and information management. An International Workshop was held in Qatar on Protected Agriculture in the Arabian Peninsula (see under: Protected Agriculture). The recommendations from this meeting formed the basis for the immediate and long-term strategies for protected-agriculture development in the Arabian Peninsula. The issue of communication and exchange of information was highlighted and as a result a Regional Network on the Internet was developed for Protected Agriculture. The meeting was supported by the AFESD, IFAD and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The workshop was organized locally by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture of Qatar and ICARDA and was attended by 15 national scientists and twelve international and regional experts. The proceedings were printed and distributed. |
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| [1]
Rangeland restoration refers to restoring the original vegetation
in a ecosystem, e.g., through re-seeding with the original indigenous species; Rangeland rehabilitation refers to revegetation that may include the introduction of species that are alien to the original ecosystem but that will fit well into a new, induced, ecosystem. |
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| >>> PHASE II Goal and Objectives Components and Specific Objectives Agroecological Characterization Management and Utilization of Different Sources of Irrigation Water Rangeland / Forage / Livestock Systems Protected Agriculture Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Program Management and Coordination |
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