Progress 06/01/03 to 05/31/08
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to build on and enhance the outcomes of the Irrigation Management Information System (IMIS) project in Israel and the United States. The cooperating scientists will carry out research and other local and regional activities. Researchers will study improved water management techniques to include determination of crop water requirements, irrigation scheduling, and micro-irrigation system operation, and continue to expand and implement the IMIS project in Israel and the U.S. Approach (from AD-416) Under this agreement, and in accordance with the budget agreed to by both Parties to this Agreement, the cooperator shall: 1. Establish IMIS research and demonstration sites that represent a significant local agricultural sector and practices in Jordan. The system will be based on local meteorological data and field measured information inputs. 2. Develop the physical infrastructure and information management tools for rapid dissemination of quality controlled and reliable irrigation scheduling data for the proposed project sites. 3. Cooperating scientists will gather data throughout the cropping season utilizing data from constructed weighing-lysimeter and weather station, and collaboratively apply quality control and processing to develop Crop coefficients (kc) values. 4. Establish scheduling criteria for the unique variety of field, orchard, and vegetable crops grown in the project area, using Evapotranspiration (ET) estimation models and incorporating agronomic considerations. 5.Establish interaction with farmers, farm advisors, and extension personnel via implementation of the system to ensure wide acceptance and sustainability. 6. Promote regional cooperative activities by developing and disseminating the pilot project as a model pending future funding availability in preparation for a project expansion that includes infrastructure. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations All activity on this agreement concluded in FY2008, project will be terminated.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to build on and enhance the outcomes of the Irrigation Management Information System (IMIS) project in Israel and the United States. The cooperating scientists will carry out research and other local and regional activities. Researchers will study improved water management techniques to include determination of crop water requirements, irrigation scheduling, and micro-irrigation system operation, and continue to expand and implement the IMIS project in Israel and the U.S. Approach (from AD-416) Under this agreement, and in accordance with the budget agreed to by both Parties to this Agreement, the cooperator shall: 1. Establish IMIS research and demonstration sites that represent a significant local agricultural sector and practices in Jordan. The system will be based on local meteorological data and field measured information inputs. 2. Develop the physical infrastructure and information management tools for rapid dissemination of quality controlled and reliable irrigation scheduling data for the proposed project sites. 3. Cooperating scientists will gather data throughout the cropping season utilizing data from constructed weighing-lysimeter and weather station, and collaboratively apply quality control and processing to develop Crop coefficients (kc) values. 4. Establish scheduling criteria for the unique variety of field, orchard, and vegetable crops grown in the project area, using Evapotranspiration (ET) estimation models and incorporating agronomic considerations. 5.Establish interaction with farmers, farm advisors, and extension personnel via implementation of the system to ensure wide acceptance and sustainability. 6. Promote regional cooperative activities by developing and disseminating the pilot project as a model pending future funding availability in preparation for a project expansion that includes infrastructure. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations Overall progress in this program includes increased scientific cooperation amongst American and Israeli scientists in creation of an agricultural weather station network with an internet site (www.merimis.org), improved knowledge of crop water use for several crops in the region, and positive plans for future collaboration on the pressing water issues of the region. During this reporting period the project focused on collecting and processing meteorological data for the farmers in Tamra and the Western Galilee, Yezrael Valley and the Triangle. These data serve as a base for irrigation of vegetables in these regions, and for the irrigation of almonds and olives in Iksal region which is in the north of Israel. Both stations provided daily data on temperature, humidity, irradiation, and wind speed. In cooperation with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - The Extension and Technical Development Service, Ahali issued a leaflet about irrigation recommendations on calculation of water volume for industrial cucumber irrigation in the Western Galilee Region. The information provided was based on the data collected from the IMIS meteorological station in Tamra. Ahali conducted maintenance on all the five IMIS metrological stations in Israel. A visit was organized by Ahali for a group of 25 farmers from the West Galilee and the Triangle areas to visit fields irrigated using the metrological stations data concerning soil and water conservation. An article was published in Almuzaree Magazine (local publication for Israeli Arab farmers) about the IMIS project and the benefits farmers can acquire from the IMIS project.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Center for Community Development, Nazareth, Israel (CRIS 4001-22310-002-47S,). Funding is provided under a reimbursable agreement with the Department of State (CRIS 4001-22310-002-44R) and work is in partnership with The Arab Agronomist Association (AAA), West Bank (CRIS 4001-22310 002-48S) and Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture (CRIS 4001-22310- 002-46S). Water scarcity and competing demands for water have become one of the key barriers to sustainable agriculture production in the Middle East. Under the direction of Dr. James Ayars, ARS Water Management Research Laboratory, Parlier, CA, and Dr. Steven Evett, ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Bushland, TX, the Middle Eastern co- operators will work to establish the technological and human infrastructure required to achieve long-term sustained water conservation in the
Middle East and the U.S. As part of the Irrigation Management Information System (IMIS) project, Mr. Ron Seligmann, an Israeli researcher visited ARS for 6 months. Mr. Seligmann is an Irrigation, Water Management, and Crop Production Engineer with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and a Ph.D student at Hebrew University. Mr. Seligmann worked at the USDA-ARS-Water Management Research Lab in Parlier, California with the ARS scientists and Visiting Researchers (VRs) from Jordan and the West Bank on the multilateral US-Middle East IMIS project, from May 15, 2005 through November 15, 2005. The VRs at the USDA-ARS Water Management Research Laboratory in Parlier, California, returned to their respective countries after the completion of the training in the United States. The VRs finalized their U.S. field research on irrigation experiments located at ARS laboratory, Parlier, California. In advance of their departure, the VRs met with their ARS mentors to discuss
the next steps and plan for the research activities in the VRs respective countries. Research results are currently under review and analysis in order to process and utilize collected data from their studies. Additional meteorological stations were purchased, and were installed in Baka El Gharbieh and Qalansuwa, both locations are in the triangle region (center) of Israel. The third station was installed in the Sakhnin region (upper) of Galilee. The main crops in this region are olives, various other fruit trees, and vegetables in greenhouses and open fields. The station located in Qalansuwa was installed at a height of 2 meters in an open field. This station is serving a high-density agricultural production in the south of the Triangle region in the center of the country. The estimated number of farmers who can use the information collected from this station is around 700. The main crops cultivated in this area are grapes, figs, strawberries and vegetables in greenhouses and
open fields. The data from the stations in Qalansuwa and Baka El- Garbieh is used by Palestinian farmers from Tulkarm, Kafin, and Der el Guson regions. The third station was installed in Sakhnin in the Galilee, an estimate of over 200 farmers will benefit directly from this station. Farmers in this region use recycled water for irrigation. In this region there are plans to increase the irrigated area to around 14,000 Dunams (3,400 acres) by utilizing recycled water. The third year cucumber trial began in April and was completed at the end of July 2006. The IMIS cucumber experiment was conducted in Tamra region, a city in Western Galilee. The trial compared different irrigation treatments with meteorological data. The final intent is to supply farmers of the Tamra region with tools to determine required quantities of water for pickling cucumbers ("industrial cucumbers") in the spring and summer months based on data provided by the meteorological station. The station transmits the
data - soil and ambient temperatures, relative humidity, radiation, wind velocity and direction, precipitation, relative air humidity and the leaf surface dew - to the MIGAL Research Center where daily evapotranspiration is calculated according to the Penman-Monteith formula. The evaluation is in its third year. The IMIS almond project is located in Iksal, the Amiq Yezrael Valley. The project compares different irrigation treatments, and is blocked, randomized and replicated. Plots consist of five trees in a row, with only the middle three trees used for measurements. Using the nearby IMIS weather station and crop water use information, the effect of municipal effluent water on almond production is determined. To calibrate the station and find the appropriate coefficients for use, it is necessary to conduct a three-year evaluation in Tamra. Overall progress in this program includes increased scientific cooperation amongst American, Israeli scientists. Creation of an agricultural
weather station network with an internet site (www.merimis.org), improved knowledge of crop water use for several crops in the region, and positive plans for future collaboration on the pressing water issues of the region.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Center for Community Development, Nazareth, Israel (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-47S,). Funding is provided under a reimbursable agreement with the Department of State (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-44R) and work is in partnership with the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-48S) and Jordans Ministry of Agriculture (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-46S.) Water scarcity and competing demands for water have become one of the key barriers to sustainable agriculture production in the Middle East. Under the direction of Drs. Tom Trout and James Ayars, ARS Water Management Research Laboratory, Parlier, CA, and Dr. Steven Evett, ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Bushland, TX, the Middle Eastern co- operators will work to establish the technological and human infrastructure required to achieve long-term sustained water
conservation in the Middle East and the U.S. As part of the Irrigation Management Information System (IMIS) project, an Israeli researcher is visiting ARS for one year. The Israeli visiting researcher is Mr. Ron Seligmann, an Irrigation, Water Management, and Crop Production Engineer with the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr. Seligmann is working at the USDA-ARS-Water Management Research Lab in Parlier, California with the ARS scientists and Visiting Researchers (VRs) from Jordan and the Palestinian Authority on the multilateral US-Middle East IMIS project, from the November 15, 2004 through November 15, 2005. Mr. Ron Seligmann and other VRs are engaged in pepper irrigation evaluations, located at of the ARS location in Parlier, CA. Trials compare 3 irrigation systems (furrow, drip and subsurface drip), each irrigating at 50, 75, 100 and 125% water. Crop irrigation coefficients in consideration with climatic data, evaporation-transpiration data and plant
coverage were derived. Concentrating on the surface drip irrigation treatments, Mr. Seligmann is also deriving stress coefficients that can be used when feasible irrigation interval is limited (as might happen in the Mediterranean). Water consumption via soil water measurements and plant stress indicators via infrared camera will be examined. As nutrition plays an important role in small volume irrigation systems (e.g. drip), Mr. Seligmann is planning to use percolate collectors placed under ground to enable adjustment of fertilizer application according to plant need. A greenhouse pot trial with Pepper plants will be conducted at the Parlier station using weighing lysimeters with high-resolution reading. Calcium nutrition will be integrated into both field and greenhouse trials and its effect on plant performance will be studied. In Israel, IMIS project cooperators installed two weather stations in the northern part of the country and the Israeli partners conducted two irrigation
trials on almonds and cucumber at these two IMIS sites. The cucumber trial began in May and was completed at the end of July 2004. The IMIS cucumber experiment was conducted in Tamra region, a city in Western Galilee. The trial compared different irrigation treatments with meteorological data. The final intent is to supply farmers of the Tamra region with tools to determine required quantities of water for pickling cucumbers (industrial cucumbers) in the spring and summer months based on data provided by the meteorological station. The station transmits the data soil and ambient temperatures, relative humidity, radiation, wind velocity and direction, precipitation, relative air humidity and the leaf surface dew to the MIGAL Research Center where daily evapotranspiration is calculated according to the Penman-Monteith formula. To calibrate the station and find the appropriate coefficients for use, it is necessary to conduct a three-year evalutaion in Tamra. The evaluation is in its
second year. The IMIS almond project is located in Iksal, the Amiq Yezrael Valley. The project compares different irrigation treatments, and is blocked, randomized and replicated. Plots consist of five trees in a row, with only the middle three trees used for measurements. Using the nearby IMIS weather station and crop water use information, the effect of municipal effluent water on almond production is determined. Overall progress in this program includes increased scientific cooperation amongst American, Israeli, creation of an agricultural weather station network with an internet site (www.merimis.org), improved knowledge of crop water use for several crops in the region, and positive plans for future collaboration on the pressing water issues of the region.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
4. What were the most significant accomplishments this past year? This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Center for Community Development, Nazareth, Israel (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-47S,). Funding is provided under a reimbursable agreement with the Department of State (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-44R) and work is in partnership with the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC) (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-48S) and Jordan's Ministry of Agriculture (see CRIS 4001-22310-002-46S.) Water scarcity and competing demands for water have become one of the key barriers to sustainable agriculture production in the Middle East. Under the direction of Dr. James Ayars, ARS Water Management Research Laboratory, Parlier, CA, and Dr. Steven Evett, ARS Soil and Water Management Research Unit, Bushland, TX, the Middle Eastern co-operators will work to establish the technological and human infrastructure required to
achieve long-term sustained water conservation in the Middle East and the U.S. The Israeli IMIS project cooperators installed two weather stations in the northern part of the country. This year the Israeli partners conducted two irrigation trials on almonds and cucumber at these two IMIS project sites. The cucumber trial began in May and it was completed at the end of July 2004. The IMIS cucumber experiment was conducted in Tamra region, a city in Western Galilee. The experiment compared different irrigation treatments by utilizing the IMIS weather station in place to provide researchers with the meteorological data required for the experiment. The IMIS almond experiment is located in Iksal, in the valley below Nazareth. The experiment compares different irrigation treatments, and is blocked, randomized and replicated. Plots consisted of five trees in a row, with only the middle three trees being used for measurements. Treatments are 100% of crop water need as assessed using the
nearby IMIS weather station and the crop water use information. The Israeli IMIS cooperators conducted two field days for Iksal IMIS project site and the Tamra project site. Progress in this project include increased scientific cooperation amongst American, Israeli, creation of an agricultural weather station network with an internet site (www. merimis.org), improved knowledge of crop water use for several crops in the region, and positive plans for future collaboration on the pressing water issues of the region. Preparation for phase II of the IMIS project is under way. The new IMIS activities will build upon and enhance the outcomes of phase I of the IMIS project.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|