Potential for Conservation Agriculture in the Dry Marginal Zone of Central Syria: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract

This paper reports on early soil related outcomes from conservation agriculture (CA) benchmark sites located within the marginal rainfed environment of agro-ecological zone 4 (annual rainfall: 200-250 mm) in pre-conflict central Syria. The outcomes reported are specifically those that relate to beneficial soil quality and water retention attributes relative to conventional tillage-based soil management practices applied to the fodder barley-livestock system, the dominant system in the zone. On-farm operational research was established to examine the impact of a barley (Hordeum vulgare) and vetch (Vicia sativa) rotation intercropped with atriplex (Atriplex halimus) and salsola (Salsola collina), under CA and conventional tillage agriculture, on the soil quality parameters and crop productivity. Preliminary results showed that CA had a positive effect on the soil quality parameters and crop performance. The soil moisture and hydraulic conductivity were higher under CA (p < 0.05), combined with improved productivity (grain and above-ground biomass) under specific crop mixes. The results suggest that despite the marginal nature of the zone, the use of CA is a viable option for the future of farmers' livelihoods within similar localities and agro-climates, given the benefits for soil moisture and grain and straw productivity. In addition, it is likely to positively impact those in marginal environments where both pastoralism and agro-pastoralism production systems co-exist and compete for crop biomass as a main source of livestock feed. The increase in grain and straw yields vis-à-vis improvements in biophysical parameters in the CA system relative to tillage agriculture does suggest, however, that the competition with livestock for biomass is likely to reduce over time, and farmers would be able to return increased levels of straw (as stubble and residue) as mulch, given improved biomass yields.

Initiating conservation agriculture shows reduced soil CO2emissions and improved soil aggregate stability in the first season in rainfed cropping in India

“…For instance, it was shown that after 4 years, there was a significant improvement in the water infiltration rate and soil moisture content during the dry season in Zambia and Zimbabwe [18]. The effects of CA treatment on the soil health indicators in the first year of conversion are rarely discussed in the research literature [48]. The results of this study confirm that it is possible to detect measurable changes in some of the soil health indicators and functions in the first year of the process of conversion to CA.…”

Assessment and Governance of Sustainable Soil Management

“…Although the research was restricted by the outbreak of armed conflict in Syria, preliminary results indicate that conservation agriculture is of particular benefit for soil moisture and for grain and straw productivity. The authors conclude that in a semi-arid marginal area such as central Syria, conservation agriculture may be the only option with progressing climate change because of its moisture-saving characteristics [31].…”

“…Lalani et al [31] employ a farm research approach to study the impacts of conservation agriculture on dryland farming systems in central Syria. Although the research was restricted by the outbreak of armed conflict in Syria, preliminary results indicate that conservation agriculture is of particular benefit for soil moisture and for grain and straw productivity.…”

Reverse introduction of two‐ and six‐rowed barley lines from the United States into Egypt

“…Barley is one of the model crops that can be used to withstand the projected climate changes and significantly contribute to filling the gap between cereal crop production and consumption in several rural communities around the globe. In addition, barley is globally considered as a crop for marginal lands, where the production conditions are less suitable for other cereal crops such as wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (Lalani, Al-Eter, Kassam, Bapoo, & Kassam, 2018). Growing barley in marginal lands or under low-input conditions might explain yield reduction in regions such as Egypt, in which barley grain production was decreased from 3.03 t ha −1 during the 2001-2002 growing season to 1.54 t ha −1 during 2014-2015 growing season (Naser, Badran, Abouzied, Ali, & Elbasyoni, 2018).…”