LAND AND WATER RESOURCES

 

 

PUBLICATION RECORD

 

Baalbaki, R., R. Zurayk, M. Adlan, and M. C. Saxena. 2000. Effect of nitrogen source and salinity level on salt accumulation of two chickpea genotypes. Journal of Plant Nutrition.

Bashour, I., and A. Al-Jaloud. 1999. Impact of 10 years of monocultivation on the phosphorus status of calareous desert soils. The Land 3.3:167-178.

El-Awar, F. A., M. R. Darwish, R. M. Mteirik, and M. N. Nimah. 2000. Optimal cropping pattern for limited water supply: A case study in Lebanon. Applied Engineering in Agriculture

El-Awar, F. A., M. K. Makke, R. A. Zurayk, and R. H. Mohtar. 2000. A Spatial-Hierarchical Methodology for Water Harvesting in Dry Lands. Applied Engineering in Agriculture 16 (4):395–404.

Haddad, J., and M. N. Nimah. 2001. Water quality monitoring of the Litani River. Lebanese Council for Scientific Research.

Nimah, M. 2000. Design, efficiency, operation and maintenance of modern irrigation systems on-farm level. New Technologies Development for Irrigation Systems Management. Editor Dr. N. Lamadalena.  Chieam-Mai-B/Lncsr/Nwrc/Meda.

———. Potential for fertigati plant nutrient management under pressurized irrigation systems. Plant Nutrient Management under Pressurized Irrigation Systems in the Mediterranean Region.  World Phosphate Institute and ICARDA.

———. 2001. Water application technologies. Cyprus Agricultural Research Institute.

Nimah, M., L. I. Darwish, and I. I. Bashour. 2000. Potato yield response to deficit irrigation and N fertilization. Acta Horticultarea.

Talhouk, S. N., R. Zurayk, and S. Khuri. 2001. Conservation of the coniferous forests of Lebanon: Past, present and future prospects. Oryx 35 (3).

Zurayk, R. 2000. Sustainable agriculture in the Middle Eastern context: Why prevailing models won't work. Culture and Agriculture-American Anthropological Association 22 (1).

Zurayk, R., F. El-Awar, S. Hamadeh, S. Talhouk, C. Sayegh, A. Chehab, and K. Al Shab. 2001. Using indigenous knowledge in land use investigations: A participatory study in a semi-arid mountainous region of Lebanon. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 86 (3): 247–262.

 

Zurayk, R., N. Khoury , S. Talhouk, and R. Baalbaki. 2001. Salinity-heavy metal interactions in four salt-tolerant plant species. Journal of Plant Nutrition.

Zurayk, R., B. Sukkariyah, and R. Baalbaki. 2001. Common hydrophytes as bioindicators of Ni, Cr and Cd pollution. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution.


 

ABSTRACTS, CONFERENCES, AND PROCEEDINGS

 

Bashour, I. March 2000. Plant nutrition management for intensification of food production in the Near East region. Agriculture, Land, and Water Use Commission for the Near East, Beirut, Lebanon.

Bashour, I., S. Dagher, G. Chammas, B. Sukkariyah, and N. Kawar. June 2000. Use of ELISA for DDT analysis in mineral soils. The American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America, Newark, Delaware, USA.

———. November 2000.  Enzyme immunoassay for DDT analysis in Lebanese soils. 14th Science Meeting, Beirut, Lebanon.

Bashour, I. I., and M. N. Nimah. 1999. User's needs for quality fertilizer: Types and formulations. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop for Guidelines for Efficient Fertilizer Use through Modern Iirrigation. FAO/ IMPHOS.

Nimah, M. 2001. Symposium on Prospects of saline agriculture in the GCC countries, Dubai, UAE.

———. 2001. Irrigation system selection and management for irrigation with brackish/saline water. Proceedings of the Symposium on Integrated Water Management, Nicosia, Cyprus.

Nimah, M., and I. I. Bashour. 1999. Fertilization as an efficient and safe tool for water and fertilizer applications. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop for Guidelines for Efficient Fertilizer Use Through Modern Irrigation, FAO/IMPHOS, Cairo, Egypt.

Nimah, M., M. Sidahmed, and G. M. Hatem. 2000. Furrow irrigation design parameters as affected by soil compaction.  ASAE Annual International Meeting, paper number 002023, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

 

 

 

GRADUATE THESES AND PROJECTS

 

Eid, A. May 2000. Lead deposition on soil and vegetation in different land uses of the Shweifat area. R. Zurayk.

El-Jisr, K. October 1999. Soil amendments for pine establishment in quarry rehabilitation. R. Zurayk.

Khoury, N. October 1999. Salinity-heavy metal interaction on metal uptake by salt-tolerant plants. R. Zurayk.

Lteif, A. E. May 2000. Selenium levels in Lebanese agricultural soils. I. Bashour, M. Nimeh, and R. Darwish.

Naamani, R. May 2001. The effect of homopolymer on clogging reduction of trickle irrigation. M. Nimah, I. Bashour, and R. Baalbaki.

Samad, F. September 2000. Dynamics of Cd, Ni, and Cr in four Lebanese soils. R. Zurayk.

Srour, R. May 2000. The effect of acid-forming fertilizers on the mobility and uptake of Cd, Cr, and Ni by radish plants in four Lebanese soils. R. Zurayk.

 

 

 

RESEARCH PROJECTs

 

Rural integrated development of the mountains of the northern region of Lebanon

 

This project was initiated in agreement with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture to study, classify, and make soil fertility recommendations for all crops in Zawia/ Zgharta region. The project is in progress. Bashour, I.

Supported by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Completed or in progress at Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at AUB

 

Selenium levels in Lebanese agricultural soils

 

This study was conducted to evaluate the status of selenium in Lebanese agricultural soils and selected forages since no such studies were done earlier. Soil samples were collected from the Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, north and south districts representing the majority of agricultural Lebanese soils. Alfalfa and corn plants were collected when available from the same sampling sites. Soil physical and chemical properties ,water-soluble Se and AB-DTPA extractable Se were determined in the collected samples. Results showed that all soil samples contained low levels of extractable Se. However, Se content of the alfalfa and corn samples was within acceptable range. The most important factor that determines Se content in plant tissue is plant variety and some favorable conditions that facilitated Se absorbance from the soil, such as basic soil pH and presence of CaCO3. To prevent the possibility of Se deficiency in animals, moderate supplementation of Se is recommended. Bashour, I.

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at AUB

 

Analysis of DDT in soils by gas chromatography and immunoassay methods

 

The use of (ELISA) method in estimating DDT pesticide residue in soils is a faster, less expensive and an easier method to use than gas chromatography (GC). Soil samples from Lebanon were analyzed for total DDT residue using & ELISA methods. The results indicated that the two methods were highly correlated. Differences in soil properties did not affect the accuracy of the detection limits of ELISA; therefore, this method can be used for rapid and accurate measurement of total DDT residue in mineral soils in Lebanon. Bashour, I., S. Dagher, and N. Kawar.

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at AUB

 

Evaluation of synthetic polymer (dp34) on crops

 

The project was intended to assess the effect of a synthetic polymer on the clogging of different emitter used in irrigation and on the yield of vegetables and fruit trees. The research was conducted both at the Agricultural Research and Education Center (AREC) and at private farms in Shuwiifet and Kfarzabian. Research was conducted on strawberries using a Bi-Wall drip lines, on beans using a point source pressure compensating emitters, and on apples utilizing pressure compensating emitters. The duration of the project was two years. Nimah, M. (PL).

Supported by Feed Water Company, London, U.K.
Completed or in progress at Agricultural Research Educational Center, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at AUB

 

Measurement of transpiration and evaporation under field conditions

 

Agricultural productivity and sustainability are among the most challenging issues facing the world today. With increased population growth, water and land are becoming the limiting factors and food demand is being urgent. In order to meet the imposed challenges, optimal use of these scare resources should be considered. The objectives of this research are first, to determine evapotranspiration of crops under different water regimes; second, to measure transpiration and calculate evapotranspiration of crops; third, to model crop production as a function of transpiration in order to overcome site specificity; and fourth, to study the impact of using vertical space on production in order to develop urban agriculture. To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, an experiment was designed utilizing vertical columns of soil that were subjected to two irrigation regimes and different population density. Part of the columns were closed at both ends while the others were opened at one end. Drip irrigation was used in this experiment. Nimah, M.

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at Agricultural Research Educational Center, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at AUB and private farms

 

Olive yield as affected by supplemental irrigation and split fertilization

 

Olive crop grows on marginal lands in Lebanon, contributes to soil conservation, is adaptable and resistant and produces yields under the most adverse conditions. Although its production is on bi-annual basis it is considered the subsistence base of large population groups in Lebanon and has significant social and economic importance on the national level. In other olive producing countries, especially countries of the Mediterranean, it has been proven that if properly treated like other orchard crops, i.e., watered, fertilized, and properly managed, it can produce more on the same soils and yield a good profit in relation to cost involved.  Currently, the average yield in Lebanon is about 6 kg/tree, which is considered a very low average compared to international yield. In Lebanon, only little research work, mostly sporadic, has been done so far to improve the yield of this important crop and the enhancement of its economic return, the repercussions of which were reflected sometimes in the neglect of the olive groves due to its uneconomical returns, and in other instances to the migration of farmers to urban centers in pursuit of new economic opportunities. 


The objective of this research project is to investigate the impact of supplemental irrigation and fertilizer application and the cultural practices on the yield of the olive crop in Lebanon, as well as to evaluate its impact on the olives and oil quality. Nimah, M. (PL), I. Bashour, and E. Abou Fakr Hammad.

Supported by URB
Completed or in progress at AUB and private fields

 

 

Improvement of the yield, quality and marketability

 

Although the olive tree can grow on marginal lands, it has been proven in many of the olive-growing countries of the Mediterranean basin that, if properly cared for, watered, fertilized, and properly managed (e.g., implementation of proper agricultural practices), it can produce more on the same soils and yield a good profit in relation to cost involved.  Currently, the average yield per tree in Lebanon is about 6 kg, which is considered a very low average compared to international values.

In Lebanon, only little research work, mostly sporadic, has been done so far to improve the yield of this important crop and the enhancement of its economic return, the repercussions of which were reflected sometimes in the neglect of the olive groves due to its uneconomical returns, and in other instances to the migration of farmers to urban centers in pursuit of new economic opportunities. 

The aim of this research project is to investigate the proper cultural practices considered to be critical for the increase of the yield of the olive crop in Lebanon and to evaluate its impact on the olives and oil quality, following an integrated approach concept. Sawaya, W. (PL), M. Nimah, and I. Bashour.
 
Supported by LNCSR
Completed or in progress at AUB and private fields

 

Developing Cd, Cr and Ni phytoremediation technology

 

Screening and evaluation of local plants for the cleanup of contaminated soils and waters.  Zurayk, R. (PL), and R. Baalbaki.

Supported by AUB
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Using GIS and remote sensing for the management of agrobiodiversity

 

Application of remote sensing and geographic information systems technologies for the mapping and management of agricultural biodiversity in 3 pilot areas in the Bekaa, Lebanon.  Zurayk, R. (PL), and M. Khawlie.

Supported by United Nations Development Program
Completed or in progress at AUB

 

Environmental analysis of urban and peri-urban agriculture on the Lebanese coast

 

Project identifies and analyses the interactions between the environment and urban and per-urban agriculture on the Lebanese coast. Parameters studied include soil quality, cadmium and lead deposition, and biodiversity. Zurayk, R. (PL), and F. Papy.

Supported by Cooperation pour L’Evaluation et la Développement de la Recherche

Completed or in progress at AUB