Soil salinity is a major problem in Egypt where salt affected lands are increasing over the productive farmland. Fodder beet plant (Beta vulgaris L. Monovert) could be a potential fodder crop for small ruminants based on its moderate nutritive value and high biomass production and its ability to grow in high salt affected soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate for fodder beet yield under traditional management practices (TMP) and improved management practices (IMP). The TMP included the practices carried out by the farmers and the other one (IMP) included the integrated practices of modified irrigation systems with applied leaching requirements, suitable planting method, application of appropriate rate of fertilization (NPK) and addition of sulfur, farmyard manure (FYM) and effective micro-organisms solution (EM). Two field experiments were conducted in farmers' fields under saline conditions of Sahl El-Tina area in 2010/2011& 2011/2012 winter seasons. The treatments of both experiments included two irrigation systems (permanent sprinkler "PS" and surface furrows "FI"), two management practices (traditional and improved), and two planting methods (one side and two sides of the ridge). The treatments were arranged in completely randomized blocks design with four replicates. The obtained results indicated that the IMP decreased soil salinity and increased water use efficiency, under modified irrigation system. Based on the results of two growing seasons, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) were the highest average values as 11.47 and 16.22 kg m -3 obtained with IMP&FI and IMP&PS treatments, respectively. Developed furrow irrigation with improved management practices resulted in higher IWUE by 23.4%. While, modified sprinkler irrigation system with improved management practices led to increase in IWUE by 17.9%. It is clear that application of IMP significantly increase of growth characters, fresh yield (leaves and roots) of fodder beet by 5% as compared to the TMP. Consequently, sustainable development can be achieved by application IMP for mitigate soil salinity hazards and enhance the productivity of fodder beet as forage crops in Sahl El-Tina area, North Sinai to solve the feed shortage problem around the year.
Conservation agriculture practices (CA) is a management for available organic matter resources and considered important measures to enable farming in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture. The two-years experiment were performed on the soil under wheat crop. CA practices can help to decrease the area and duration for exposed soil to water erosion by increased soil aggregate size distribution, soil porosity, soil moisture and soil organic matter. Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important indicator of soil fertility and productivity because of its crucial role in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. CA leaves a soil organic mulch at the soil surface, which decreases runoff and soil loss. On other hand, soil mulch with plant residue as a component of CA is increased soil content of SOM. The least total cost for cultivation wheat crops under rainfed agriculture of Egypt achieved at conservation agriculture with No-tillage treatment (CANT) while the highest cost achieved at traditional agriculture (TA) treatment. The best results of decreased soil loss, increased SOM and wheat crop yield obtained when continue to apply conservation practices for more than one season. Indeed, our results showed the soil loss decreased about (56%) while wheat grain yield and SOM increased about (7% and 45%) respectively when using CA at the second season compared to TA. Conservation agriculture signifies environmentally friendly technologies reduce of climate related risks.
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