Narrow profit margins, resource conservation issues and environmental concerns are the main driving forces to improve fertilizer uptake, especially for potatoes. Potatoes are a high value crop with a shallow, inefficient root system and high fertilizer rate requirements. Of all essential nutrients, nitrogen (N) is often limiting to potato production. A major concern in potato production is to minimize N leaching from the root zone. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to examine the potato crop characteristics under drip irrigation with low-discharge (0.6 L h−1) and to determine the optimal combination of irrigation (40, 60, 80, and 100%) and fertigation (0, 50, and 100%) doses. In this study, the 80% (438.6 mm) irrigation dose and a 50% (50 mg N L−1) fertigation dose (W80%F50%) showed that these doses are sufficient for optimal potato yield (about 40 ton ha−1) in conjunction with water and fertilizer savings. Moreover, this treatment did not exhibit any qualitative changes in the potato tuber compared to the 100% treatments. When considering water productivity and yield, one may select a harsher irrigation regime if the available agricultural soils are not a limiting factor. Thus, higher yields can be obtained with lower irrigation and fertigation doses and a larger area.
The availability of brackish groundwater in the Negev Desert, Israel has motivated the cultivation of various salinity tolerant crops, such as olives trees. The long term suitability of surface drip irrigation (DI) or subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in arid regions is questionable, due to salinity concerns, in particular, when brackish irrigation water is employed. Nevertheless, DI and SDI have been adopted as the main irrigation methods in olive orchards, located in the Negev Desert. Reports on continued reduction in olive yields and, essentially, olive orchard uprooting are the motivation for this study. Specifically, the main objective is to quantify the spatial distribution of salinity and sodicity in the active root-zone of olive orchards, irrigated with brackish water (electrical conductivity; EC = 4.4 dS m−1) for two decades using DI and subsequently SDI. Sum 246 soil samples, representing 2 m2 area and depths of 60 cm, in line and perpendicular to the drip line, were analyzed for salinity and sodicity quantities. A relatively small leaching-zone was observed below the emitters depth (20 cm), with EC values similar to the irrigation water. However, high to extreme EC values were observed between nearby emitters, above and below the dripline. Specifically, in line with the dripline, EC values ranged from 10 to 40 dS m−1 and perpendicular to it, from 40 to 120 dS m−1. The spatial distribution of sodicity quantities, namely, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR, (meq L−1)0.5) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) resembled the one obtained for the EC. In line with the dripline, from 15 to 30 (meq L−1)0.5 and up to 27%, in perpendicular to the drip line from 30 to 60 (meq L−l)0.5 and up to 33%. This study demonstrates the importance of long terms sustainable irrigation regime in arid regions in particular under DI or SDI. Reclamation of these soils with gypsum, for example, is essential. Any alternative practices, such as replacing olive trees and the further introduction of even high salinity tolerant plants (e.g., jojoba) in this region will intensify the salt buildup without leaving any option for soil reclamation in the future.
The present article explores the possibilities of restoring the tourism industry in the Russian Federation by attracting investment and public-private partnership. The purpose of the study is to analyze the possibilities of restoring the Russian tourism industry, taking into account the losses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to determine the main areas of state support. The article provides an analysis of statistical information showing the calculated amount of damage to the tourism industry from the spread of coronavirus infection, and possible negative consequences in the future, as well as data from an expert sociological survey. The authors analyze the measures and the need for state support for the industry that is in an ongoing state of economic crisis and note the problems of tourism development in Russia and several European countries that resulted from the spread of coronavirus infection. The authors consider possibilities and prospects of restoring the tourism industry in the future, describe measures to support the tourism industry planned by the Russian government, as well as anti-crisis programs undertaken in several European countries that are designed to help the tourism industry survive during the crisis. It is shown that support measures undertaken in Russia are incomparable with the help provided to the tourism industry by the governments of several European countries. The authors question the effectiveness of these measures as well as consider possible changes in the business model of the tourism industry and the opportunities to increase the role of public-private partnership projects. The results and suggestions proposed by the authors will be of interest to both the tourism business practitioners, investors in the tourism industry, representatives of relevant government agencies, and researchers studying issues of state regulation of the tourist services market.
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