Rotations in Coastal Plains to Combat Desertification in Egypt

Abstarct: Northern coastal plains in west of Alexandria extend towards Libyan borders. The rainfall increases from west of Alexandria to Libyan border (150 ~ 200 mm /y). Degradation and desertification threaten these areas and it is necessary to adopt innovative approaches to the use and management of such fragile resources. The major constraints which threaten sustainability in these areas are the disappearance of crop rotation and the use of cereal mono-cropping particularly barley. Agricultural development and crop intensification project conducted three series of experiments to innovate the cropping systems in these areas. Conventional two year rotations and intensive two year were compared with the mono-cropping system. The data obtained revealed that the yield of crops in any rotation or in mono-cropping pattern were generally higher in 2008 season rather than in 2009 season and was in parallel with the rainfall rate. Barley, lentil and pea were more pertinent in these areas whereas wheat was drastically affected particularly in the second year. In two year rotations yield of cereals (wheat and barley) improved in the second year. In cereal rotations wheat was drastically affected in mono-cropping rather than two year rotations whereas the effect was not pronounced in leguminous crop (lentil and green pea). In intensive crop rotations, the continuation of cropping in summer necessitates one supplementary irrigation, since all plots that were subjected to rain only had perished due to the modest quantities of rainfall. With the supplementary irrigation cantaloupe plants continue growing till fruit set and ripening. Nevertheless, the yield of cantaloupe, after wheat and barley yield was drastically affected rather than after lentil and green pea.