Introducing Ley Farming to the Mediterranean Basin

Introducing Ley Farming to the Mediterranean Basin PDF Author: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural systems
Languages : en
Pages : 326

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Introducing Ley Farming to the Mediterranean Basin

Introducing Ley Farming to the Mediterranean Basin PDF Author: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agricultural systems
Languages : en
Pages : 326

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The Role of Legumes in the Farming Systems of the Mediterranean Areas

The Role of Legumes in the Farming Systems of the Mediterranean Areas PDF Author: A.E. Osman
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9780792304197
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 330

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Book Description
Legumes are an important source of protein for humans and animals. They provide nutritionally rich crop residues for animal feed, and playa key role in maintaining the productivity of soils particularly through biological nitro gen fixation. They are, therefore, of immense value in rainfed farming systems. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has a responsibility for research on food, pasture, and forage legumes. The Center also has the broad objective of improving livestock production in rainfed farming systems. Although food legumes have be~n known and grown by farmers in the WANA region for a long time, their productivity has remained low and variable. Forage legumes, on the other hand, are not so well known by farmers of the region, and their role in the farming systems is not so well understood. Thus, we need to develop the concept of using forage legumes as crops and to fit them into cropping systems. In its efforts to increase the productivity of food legumes and develop the legume-based crop/livestock systems, ICARDA has established a network of scientists in the different National Agricultural Research Systems in the region. To further strengthen this network, ICARDA convened a workshop on 'The Role of Legumes in the Farming Systems of Mediterranean Areas' in Tunis, Tunisia, 20-24 June 1988. This workshop was co-sponsored by UNDP, who also contributed funds for this publication.

Grassland Productivity and Ecosystem Services

Grassland Productivity and Ecosystem Services PDF Author: Gilles Lemaire
Publisher: CABI
ISBN: 1845938097
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
This book contains 28 chapters with emphasis on the interactive nature of the relationships between the soil, plant, animal and environmental components of grassland systems, both natural and managed. It analyses the present knowledge and the future trends of research for combining the classical view of grasslands, as a resource for secure feeding of an increasing human population, with the more recent perspective of the contribution of grasslands to the mitigation of environmental impacts and biodiversity erosion as consequences of human society activities. The chapters are organized within five sections dealing with the different functions and the main ecosystem services expected from grasslands: (i) domestic herbivore feeding and animal production; (ii) the regulation of biogeochemical cycles and its consequences for the environment; (iii) dynamics of biodiversity hosted by grasslands; (iv) integration of grasslands within sustainable animal production systems; and (v) interactions of grassland areas with other land use systems at the landscape level.

Agrindex

Agrindex PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Agriculture
Languages : en
Pages : 948

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Genetic Resources of Mediterranean Pasture and Forage Legumes

Genetic Resources of Mediterranean Pasture and Forage Legumes PDF Author: Sarita Jane Bennett
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401147760
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
Genetic Resources of Mediterranean Pasture and Forage Legumes is a comprehensive review of grassland improvement in Mediterranean areas using legume species. The book includes a detailed account of the processes involved in understanding the ecology of legumes and their collection in the Mediterranean, through to their preliminary evaluation and storage at various Genetic Resource Centres. A generic conspectus and key to the forage legumes of the Mediterranean basin is also included. These proceedings are truly international with examples on the collection and use of Mediterranean genetic resources being illustrated by Genetic Resource Centres in Australia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Syria, Turkey and Tunisia. Current important issues such as the sustainability of Mediterranean grasslands, the risk of genetic erosion and the principles of population genetics employed during a collecting mission are discussed. The book will be of value to researchers working in the fields of grassland and rangeland improvement, Mediterranean farming systems, genetic resources, and pasture and forage ecology.

Rainfed Farming Systems

Rainfed Farming Systems PDF Author: Philip Tow
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 140209132X
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 1324

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Book Description
While a good grasp of the many separate aspects of agriculture is important, it is equally essential for all those involved in agriculture to understand the functioning of the farming system as a whole and how it can be best managed. It is necessary to re-assess and understand rain-fed farming systems around the world and to find ways to improve the selection, design and operation of such systems for long term productivity, profitability and sustainability. The components of the system must operate together efficiently; yet many of the relationships and interactions are not clearly understood. Appreciation of these matters and how they are affected by external influences or inputs are important for decision making and for achieving desirable outcomes for the farm as a whole. This book analyses common rain-fed farming systems and defines the principles and practices important to their effective functioning and management.

Plant Genetic Resources of Legumes in the Mediterranean

Plant Genetic Resources of Legumes in the Mediterranean PDF Author: Nigel Maxted
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401598231
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 380

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Book Description
Genetic erosion, that is, the loss of native plant and genetic diversity has been exponential from the Mediterranean Basin through the Twentieth century. This careless eradication of species and genetic diversity as a result of human activities from a 'hot-spot' of diversity threatens sustainable agriculture and food security for the temperate regions of the world. Since the early 1900s there has been a largely ad hoc movement to halt the loss of plant diversity and enhance its utilisation. The Convention on Biological Diversity and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, both highlight the need to improve conservation methodologies and enhance utilisation techniques. It has been argued that the most important component of biodiversity is the genetic diversity of crop and forage species used to feed humans and livestock. These cultivated and related wild species provides the raw material for further selection and improvement. Leguminosae species are of major economic importance (peas, chickpeas, lentils and faba beans, as well as numerous forage species) and provide a particularly rich source of protein for human and animal foods. Their distribution is concentrated in the Mediterranean region and therefore the improvement of their conservation and use in the region is critical. This text is designed to help ensure an adequate breadth of legume diversity is conserved and to help maximise the use of that conserved diversity. The subjects of conservation and use of legume diversity, the Mediterranean ecosystem and taxonomy of legumes are introduced. Generic reviews of the taxonomy, centre of diversity, ecogeographic distribution, genetic diversity distribution, conservation status, conservation gaps and future research needs are provided, along with a discussion of the importance of rhizobia to the maintenance of legume diversity. Current ex situ and in situ conservation activities as well current legume uses are reviewed. In conclusion future priorities for ex situ and in situ plant genetic conservation and use of Mediterranean legumes are highlighted. All contributors look forward rather than simply reviewing past and current activities and therefore it is hoped that the identification of genetic erosion, location of taxonomic and genetic diversity and promotion of more efficient utilisation of conserved material will be enhanced.

Technologies for Rainfed Agriculture in Mediterranean Climates

Technologies for Rainfed Agriculture in Mediterranean Climates PDF Author: Peter Oram
Publisher: World Bank Publications
ISBN: 9780821334331
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
This report describes the results of a survey of 1,000 multinational corporations undertaken in 1992 which asked about the importance of environmental issues in investment decisions. The survey shows that most large corporations look systematically at environmental questions when they decide where to invest. Environmental problems appear to have discouraged a number of investments across different industries and the question of liability for past pollution problems at industrial sites was the greatest concern for investors.

The United States' Program for Agriculture in Post-Invasion Iraq

The United States' Program for Agriculture in Post-Invasion Iraq PDF Author: Sam Beer
Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN: 1365483266
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 352

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Book Description
In the wake of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the United States embarked on the massive project of rebuilding and transforming the agricultural sector in that country. This program was as controversial as the invasion itself, being variously portrayed as the hands-on altruism of Farm Belt army reservists or the neocolonial subjugation of Iraqi farmers to American corporations. Agricultural "development" in Iraq (and simultaneously, in Afghanistan) was conducted differently than previous such projects-largely by contractors rather than USAID employees, and in close coordination with the occupying military forces. While a popular opinion has emerged against the invasion itself, there has been little retrospective discussion about the goals or methods of agricultural aid in Iraq. With close examination of the changes enacted, this book sets out to foster that discussion.

Food and Feed Prospects to 2020 in the West Asia/North Africa Region

Food and Feed Prospects to 2020 in the West Asia/North Africa Region PDF Author: Thomas L. Nordblom
Publisher: ICARDA
ISBN: 9291270334
Category : Feeds
Languages : en
Pages : 65

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Book Description