farming systems research
farming systems research
Farming Systems and agronomic Practices
The proper choice and adoption of appropriate farming systems and agronomic practices will go a long way towards rapid and efficient development and improvement of the fragile properties of arid soils through applications of organic amendments. Organic farming practices is an integrated system that takes into consideration maximum efficiency of the applied organic amendments, conservation of soil OM build up, as well as, increase of the residual and accumulative effects of the added amendments.
The following examples will demonstrate briefly the significance of the impact of appropriate farming systems and proper agronomic practices especially under desert soils conditions.
El-Bagouri et al. (1972) carried out long term studies on amelioration techniques of sandy soils. The farming system used was fodder/animal with the use of alfalfa as the fodder components. Only one organic amendment application at the rate of 40 tons/feddan was applied at the beginning of the experiment which was applied in different modes of application to a virgin desert sandy soil with initial OM content with an average of 0.10%. Then alfalfa was planted and continued for four years without addition of any organic amendments. Table (1) show the build up of organic amendments as a function of mode of application and interaction with the development of alfalfa root systems.
Table
Average Soil Organic Mater Accumulation after
Four Years of Alfalfa ( %)
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farming systems in kenya
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farming systems research
Treatments
Soil Depth (cm) Control One Surface
Application One Application
at plow layer depth
30-35cm
0-10 0.42 0.52 0.48
10-35 0.23 0.34 0.59
35-60 0.17 0.29 0.39
After El-Bagouri et. al. (1972)
In another investigation, El-Bagouri et al. (1988) carried out at AUC, DDC Experimental Form, 3 farming systems were tested with respect to sandy soil development with economic assessments.
Table (2) show that the sequence and ratio of legumes to non legume plants under unified treatments had a significant impact on the build up of soil organic matter after three years of cultivation of virgin desert soil.
Table (2)
Impacts of Sequence and Ratio of Legumes/Non-Legumes on the Build-Up of Soil Organic Matter Content (%)
Treatments
Soil Depth (cm) Virgin Soil Rot. (3)
C-L-C-L Rot.(4)
L-C-L-C Rot. (5)
L-C-L-L
0-30 0.036 0.14 0.25 0.09
30-60 0.020 0.08 0.11 0.04
After El-Bagour et al. (1988)
A three years project evaluating the impact of application of three farming systems on the development of medium textured calcareous soils was financed by NARP. El Bagouri et al. (1994). Figs (3) and (4) summarize the results pertinent to our topic.
Appropriate Agronomic Practices :
Appropriate agronomic practices are conducive to conserve the build up of organic matter as one of the indicators of arid soils development. Minimum tillage practices under coarse textured soils (AUC-DDC), mixing the applied organic amendments with elemental sulphur and natural desert clay deposits (Desert Dev. Cent.) under calcareous saline soils, addition of micronutrients in nonchelated forms to organic amendments prior to field application, all practices were found to improve the performance of the added amendments on soil properties (biological, physical and chemical), enhance the residual effect and reduce the amounts of applied amendments without impairing soil productivity.
Fig 4: Accumulative Impact of Four Seasons of the Farming System on Available P in the Surface Soil Layer - El Bagouri et al. 1994
Conclusions:
Organic Farming practices have highly significant impacts on improving the poor and fragile varied properties of the soils of the Region. Impacts on soil productivity and sustainable development are proven. Availability of organic amendments in the Region requires concerted efforts.
Agricultural wastes in the Region differ in types and quantities. Various technologies for recycling and utilization of agro-industrial wastes are known. The status of waste utilization in the Region still requires further development with respect to scale and efficient technologies. Exchange of experiences and technology transfer among the countries of the Region is highly recommended.
The information available from the countries of the Region suggests the need for establishing national data bases for agricultural and agro-industrial by-products and wastes with the alternative approaches for their recycling, utilization and/or disposal.
Adoption of Farming systems and agronomic practices pertinent to organic farming should be based on the integrated approach to enhance the efficiency of the system.
References :
- M. Abdel-Monem, H. Khalifa, M. A. Abdel-Khalek and M.B. Abdel-Ghani. 1997. Adverse environmental impact of N fertilizer abuse in Egypt. INOGE, FAO, ICARDA, Training Course on Bio-Organic Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture pp 50-57 Nov. 1997, Cairo, Egypt.
- M. Abdel-Monem, S. Soliman, A. M. Gadalla and K. Abbady. 1995. Lysimeter and greenhouse study using N-15 on N-losses and N-uptake by wheat and corn as affected by soil conditioner and nitrification inhibitor - Egypt. J. Soil Science, 53: 347-358.
- N. F. Al-Aaser, A. El-Shall, N. Abd El-Hadi and I. H. ElBagouri. 1986. The effect of organic manuring on some chemical properties of sandy calcareous soils. Desert Inst. Bull. Vol. 1b No. 1 pp 83-94.
- S. Y. Awadalla, K. Y. Khalil and B. F. Abd El-Ghani. 2002. Field composts as a way to combat salinization of cultivated desert soils. Int. Symp. on Optimum Resources Utilization in Salt Affected Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Region. Cairo 8-11 April, 2002 : 112 – 122.
- G. Gh. Beheiry; A. A. Soliman, N. F. El-Aaser and I. H. ElBagouri. 1997. The accumulative and residual effect of natural amendments on some desert soil chemical properties under saline water irrigation. Proceedings of the International Symp. on Sustainable Management of salt-affected soils in the Arid Ecosystem. Cairo, Egypt, 21-26 Sept., 1997 pp 395-405.
- G. Gh. Beheiry; A. A. Soliman and I. H. ElBagouri. 2002. The relationship between natural soil amendments and soil, plant content of micronutrients under saline irrigation water. Desert Inst. Bull. (Under Publication).
- I.H. ElBagouri (Ed.) 1987. Integrated farming systems for desert development. Project sponsored by Egyptian Supreme Council of Universities in Coop. with DDC, American Univ. Cairo. Three annual reports 1985-87.
- I.H. ElBagouri. 2001(a) Soil conservation and rational use of soil inputs as a main factor to secure a safe environment. Earth Day 2001 Workshop. 22 April 2001. Sponsored by Fredrich Eubert Foundation, Ford Foundation and Egyptian NGO's, Cairo, Egypt.
- I.H. ElBagouri. S. A. Sabet and M. A. Abdel-Salam 1972. Long term studies on amelioration techniques of sandy soils. 1- Four years of alfalfa. Desert Inst. Bull., 22, No. 2 pp 351-368.
- I.H. ElBagouri. 2001(b) Land Resources of the Arab Region in state of the Environment in the Arab World. UNEP/ROWA in collaboration with CEDARE. Report presented to the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment. April 2001 pp 17-23.
- I.H. ElBagouri, H. El-Sheemy and K. El-Kheshen. 1988. Major factors affecting development and productivity of desert soils under reclamation. I. Effects of crop rotation and fertilizer management on yield and soil properties. Advances in Desert and Arid Technology and Development: Vol. 5, Harwood Academic Publishers.
- I.H. ElBagouri, et al. 1990. The use and management of calcareous soils in Egypt. Project sponsored by the Academy for Scientific Research and Technology and the Desert Res. Center. 6 Annual Reports. Cairo Egypt.
- I.H. ElBagouri, et al. 1994. Alternative farming systems for the sustainable development of desert calcareous soils. Project sponsored by the National Agriculture Research Project-USA and the Desert Res. Center. Three Annual reports 1992-1994. Cairo, Egypt.
- M. M. El-Sersawy. 2002. Influence of organic farming on soil mechanical properties, pore size distribution and maize production of Maryut calcareous soil. Int. Symp. on Optimum Resources Utilization in Salt Affected Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Region. Cairo 8-11 April, 2002 : 90-101.
FAO (1994). Fertilizer Year-Book, 44.
- F. A. Hashem; A. A. Soliman, N. F. El-Aaser and I. H. ElBagouri 1992. Longterm effects of natural amendments on biological and chemical changes of a desert soil under saline water irrigation. Egypt. J. Appl. Sci., 7 (12), pp 728-746.
- M. R. Hamissa and N. El-Mowehhi. 1989. Fertilizer and fertilizer use in Egypt. Report to the Soil and Water Research Institute. Agricultural Research Center. Cairo, Egypt.
- S. A. Hassanien and N. Kandil. 2000. Modern trends for the protection of the agricultural environment. Report, Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center. (In Arabic) Cairo, Egypt.
- M. S. Saber. 1997. Biofortified farming systems. INGOE, FAO, ICARDA. Training Course on Bio-Organic Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture pp. 66-73. Nov., 1997. Cairo, Egypt.
- R. J. Soper and I. H. ElBagouri. 1964. Effects of soil carbonate level on the availability of added and native soil phosphorus in some calcareous Manitoba soils. Canad J. Soil Sci., 44 pp 337.
- M. M. Wassif, A. A. El-Shall and I. H. ElBagouri. 1986. Alfalfa response to phosphate fertilizers and its residual effect under calcareous soil conditions. Desert Inst. Bull., Egypt Vol. 3b, No. 1, pp 1-18.
farming systems research
farming systems research
Farming Systems and agronomic Practices
farming systems research
Farming Systems and agronomic Practices
The proper choice and adoption of appropriate farming systems and agronomic practices will go a long way towards rapid and efficient development and improvement of the fragile properties of arid soils through applications of organic amendments. Organic farming practices is an integrated system that takes into consideration maximum efficiency of the applied organic amendments, conservation of soil OM build up, as well as, increase of the residual and accumulative effects of the added amendments.
The following examples will demonstrate briefly the significance of the impact of appropriate farming systems and proper agronomic practices especially under desert soils conditions.
El-Bagouri et al. (1972) carried out long term studies on amelioration techniques of sandy soils. The farming system used was fodder/animal with the use of alfalfa as the fodder components. Only one organic amendment application at the rate of 40 tons/feddan was applied at the beginning of the experiment which was applied in different modes of application to a virgin desert sandy soil with initial OM content with an average of 0.10%. Then alfalfa was planted and continued for four years without addition of any organic amendments. Table (1) show the build up of organic amendments as a function of mode of application and interaction with the development of alfalfa root systems.
Table
Average Soil Organic Mater Accumulation after
Four Years of Alfalfa ( %)
farming systems research into the 21st century the new dynamic
farming systems in cameroon
farming systems ecology group
farming systems
farming systems in kenya
farming systems in uganda
farming systems in zimbabwe
farming systems in zambia
farming systems in ghana
farming systems research
Treatments
Soil Depth (cm) Control One Surface
Application One Application
at plow layer depth
30-35cm
0-10 0.42 0.52 0.48
10-35 0.23 0.34 0.59
35-60 0.17 0.29 0.39
After El-Bagouri et. al. (1972)
In another investigation, El-Bagouri et al. (1988) carried out at AUC, DDC Experimental Form, 3 farming systems were tested with respect to sandy soil development with economic assessments.
Table (2) show that the sequence and ratio of legumes to non legume plants under unified treatments had a significant impact on the build up of soil organic matter after three years of cultivation of virgin desert soil.
Table (2)
Impacts of Sequence and Ratio of Legumes/Non-Legumes on the Build-Up of Soil Organic Matter Content (%)
Treatments
Soil Depth (cm) Virgin Soil Rot. (3)
C-L-C-L Rot.(4)
L-C-L-C Rot. (5)
L-C-L-L
0-30 0.036 0.14 0.25 0.09
30-60 0.020 0.08 0.11 0.04
After El-Bagour et al. (1988)
A three years project evaluating the impact of application of three farming systems on the development of medium textured calcareous soils was financed by NARP. El Bagouri et al. (1994). Figs (3) and (4) summarize the results pertinent to our topic.
Appropriate Agronomic Practices :
Appropriate agronomic practices are conducive to conserve the build up of organic matter as one of the indicators of arid soils development. Minimum tillage practices under coarse textured soils (AUC-DDC), mixing the applied organic amendments with elemental sulphur and natural desert clay deposits (Desert Dev. Cent.) under calcareous saline soils, addition of micronutrients in nonchelated forms to organic amendments prior to field application, all practices were found to improve the performance of the added amendments on soil properties (biological, physical and chemical), enhance the residual effect and reduce the amounts of applied amendments without impairing soil productivity.
Fig 4: Accumulative Impact of Four Seasons of the Farming System on Available P in the Surface Soil Layer - El Bagouri et al. 1994
Conclusions:
Organic Farming practices have highly significant impacts on improving the poor and fragile varied properties of the soils of the Region. Impacts on soil productivity and sustainable development are proven. Availability of organic amendments in the Region requires concerted efforts.
Agricultural wastes in the Region differ in types and quantities. Various technologies for recycling and utilization of agro-industrial wastes are known. The status of waste utilization in the Region still requires further development with respect to scale and efficient technologies. Exchange of experiences and technology transfer among the countries of the Region is highly recommended.
The information available from the countries of the Region suggests the need for establishing national data bases for agricultural and agro-industrial by-products and wastes with the alternative approaches for their recycling, utilization and/or disposal.
Adoption of Farming systems and agronomic practices pertinent to organic farming should be based on the integrated approach to enhance the efficiency of the system.
References :
- M. Abdel-Monem, H. Khalifa, M. A. Abdel-Khalek and M.B. Abdel-Ghani. 1997. Adverse environmental impact of N fertilizer abuse in Egypt. INOGE, FAO, ICARDA, Training Course on Bio-Organic Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture pp 50-57 Nov. 1997, Cairo, Egypt.
- M. Abdel-Monem, S. Soliman, A. M. Gadalla and K. Abbady. 1995. Lysimeter and greenhouse study using N-15 on N-losses and N-uptake by wheat and corn as affected by soil conditioner and nitrification inhibitor - Egypt. J. Soil Science, 53: 347-358.
- N. F. Al-Aaser, A. El-Shall, N. Abd El-Hadi and I. H. ElBagouri. 1986. The effect of organic manuring on some chemical properties of sandy calcareous soils. Desert Inst. Bull. Vol. 1b No. 1 pp 83-94.
- S. Y. Awadalla, K. Y. Khalil and B. F. Abd El-Ghani. 2002. Field composts as a way to combat salinization of cultivated desert soils. Int. Symp. on Optimum Resources Utilization in Salt Affected Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Region. Cairo 8-11 April, 2002 : 112 – 122.
- G. Gh. Beheiry; A. A. Soliman, N. F. El-Aaser and I. H. ElBagouri. 1997. The accumulative and residual effect of natural amendments on some desert soil chemical properties under saline water irrigation. Proceedings of the International Symp. on Sustainable Management of salt-affected soils in the Arid Ecosystem. Cairo, Egypt, 21-26 Sept., 1997 pp 395-405.
- G. Gh. Beheiry; A. A. Soliman and I. H. ElBagouri. 2002. The relationship between natural soil amendments and soil, plant content of micronutrients under saline irrigation water. Desert Inst. Bull. (Under Publication).
- I.H. ElBagouri (Ed.) 1987. Integrated farming systems for desert development. Project sponsored by Egyptian Supreme Council of Universities in Coop. with DDC, American Univ. Cairo. Three annual reports 1985-87.
- I.H. ElBagouri. 2001(a) Soil conservation and rational use of soil inputs as a main factor to secure a safe environment. Earth Day 2001 Workshop. 22 April 2001. Sponsored by Fredrich Eubert Foundation, Ford Foundation and Egyptian NGO's, Cairo, Egypt.
- I.H. ElBagouri. S. A. Sabet and M. A. Abdel-Salam 1972. Long term studies on amelioration techniques of sandy soils. 1- Four years of alfalfa. Desert Inst. Bull., 22, No. 2 pp 351-368.
- I.H. ElBagouri. 2001(b) Land Resources of the Arab Region in state of the Environment in the Arab World. UNEP/ROWA in collaboration with CEDARE. Report presented to the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment. April 2001 pp 17-23.
- I.H. ElBagouri, H. El-Sheemy and K. El-Kheshen. 1988. Major factors affecting development and productivity of desert soils under reclamation. I. Effects of crop rotation and fertilizer management on yield and soil properties. Advances in Desert and Arid Technology and Development: Vol. 5, Harwood Academic Publishers.
- I.H. ElBagouri, et al. 1990. The use and management of calcareous soils in Egypt. Project sponsored by the Academy for Scientific Research and Technology and the Desert Res. Center. 6 Annual Reports. Cairo Egypt.
- I.H. ElBagouri, et al. 1994. Alternative farming systems for the sustainable development of desert calcareous soils. Project sponsored by the National Agriculture Research Project-USA and the Desert Res. Center. Three Annual reports 1992-1994. Cairo, Egypt.
- M. M. El-Sersawy. 2002. Influence of organic farming on soil mechanical properties, pore size distribution and maize production of Maryut calcareous soil. Int. Symp. on Optimum Resources Utilization in Salt Affected Ecosystems in Arid and Semi-Arid Region. Cairo 8-11 April, 2002 : 90-101.
FAO (1994). Fertilizer Year-Book, 44.
- F. A. Hashem; A. A. Soliman, N. F. El-Aaser and I. H. ElBagouri 1992. Longterm effects of natural amendments on biological and chemical changes of a desert soil under saline water irrigation. Egypt. J. Appl. Sci., 7 (12), pp 728-746.
- M. R. Hamissa and N. El-Mowehhi. 1989. Fertilizer and fertilizer use in Egypt. Report to the Soil and Water Research Institute. Agricultural Research Center. Cairo, Egypt.
- S. A. Hassanien and N. Kandil. 2000. Modern trends for the protection of the agricultural environment. Report, Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center. (In Arabic) Cairo, Egypt.
- M. S. Saber. 1997. Biofortified farming systems. INGOE, FAO, ICARDA. Training Course on Bio-Organic Farming Systems for Sustainable Agriculture pp. 66-73. Nov., 1997. Cairo, Egypt.
- R. J. Soper and I. H. ElBagouri. 1964. Effects of soil carbonate level on the availability of added and native soil phosphorus in some calcareous Manitoba soils. Canad J. Soil Sci., 44 pp 337.
- M. M. Wassif, A. A. El-Shall and I. H. ElBagouri. 1986. Alfalfa response to phosphate fertilizers and its residual effect under calcareous soil conditions. Desert Inst. Bull., Egypt Vol. 3b, No. 1, pp 1-18.
farming systems research
farming systems research
Farming Systems and agronomic Practices