Plant Nutrient Management under Pressurized Irrigation System in the Mediterranean Region

Amman (Jordan), 25-27 April 1999.
Proceedings edited by John Ryan.

IMPHOS organized jointly with Jordan Phosphate Mines Corporation Ltd (JPMC) and National Centre Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer (NCARTT) a regional workshop on fertigation in Amman (Jordan), April 25- 27, 1999.

About 18 oral presentations and 13 posters were given by local and international experts on subjects ranging from water and nutrient management, to the practical application of current knowledge to fertigation. The presentations were spread out on 4 sessions :

	Session I   : Water Management (PDF File ; Size 470 Ko ; 56 Ko : 1 min 08 sec)
	Session II  : Nutrient Management Requirements and Interactions
	(PDF File ; Size 200 Ko ; 56 Ko : 29 sec)
	Session III : Fertigation with Phosphatic Fertilizers (PDF File ; Size 211 Ko ; 56 Ko : 30 sec)
	Session IV : Environmental and Economic Issues (PDF File ; Size 58 Ko ; 56 Ko : 8 sec)

The Workshop provided an exhaustive review of the fertilization systems, addressed water and plant nutrient requirements, and discussed various technical and environmental issues related to fertigation.

Irrigated agriculture can be sustainable provided that the basic principles of good soil, water and fertilizer management are applied appropriately. With this in view, the workshop stressed the vital role of plant nutrients, with particular emphasis on phosphorus, as a means of increasing crop yield and improving food quality.

The increasing water scarcity, the steadily growing population, and the urgent need to increase food production are forefront issues facing the Mediterranean countries in the middle East and North Africa.

Although fertigation offers real advantages over conventional soil application of nutrients and water, there are several realities and limitations which should be considered. These constraints are presented in the session : " Conclusions and Recommendations ".

This Workshop was attended by 105 participants from 20 countries. They represented several international and national bodies including agricultural research and development organizations, the fertilizer industry, educational institutes, and private agricultural production cooperatives.

Copies of proceedings are available upon request from IMPHOS or ICARDA at the following address:
www.icarda.org
Head of Information Services
ICARDA
P.O.Box5466
Aleppo, Syria
e-mail: S.Varma@cgiar.org