Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Use of renewable energy for desalination in urban agriculture in the GCC countries: Possibilities and challenges","authors":"Salem A. Al-Jabri, Mushtaque Ahmed","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP48-57","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP48-57","url":null,"abstract":"The current dependence of the GCC countries on fossil oil and gas is unwise in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. GCC countries must consider the use of renewable energy to cope with price fluctuations of oil and gas in the global market and to lower the emission of green house gases. The demand for food and water in the GCC countriesis increasing due to high growth rate of population. Given the weather conditions and available amounts of natural water resources, the demand on food and water cannot be met unless alternative sources of water are considered. Several studies pointed out that the desalination technology is probably the only option for producing ample amounts of water for food production in arid environments. This work explores the potential of use of desalination technology for producing irrigation water in GCC countries, with special emphasis on experience of the Sultanate of Oman compared with that of Spain. Desalination can always provide a tailored-quality irrigation water at any climatic conditions. The main challenge for considering desalination for agriculture is purely economic; where GCC countries could consider it only if intensive horticulture of high-value cash crops, such as vegetables and flowers in controlled environments, is considered. Disposal of brine water is also a challenge and must be done at an additional cost. Depending on the quality of desalinated water, several studies showed that solar-operated desalination technologies are in a mature stage and economically viable. Therefore, solar energy can make the desalination technology an attractive option to sustain agriculture and food supply in GCC countries.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"22 1","pages":"48-57"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41523176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating continuous application of treated sludge on soil and plant productivity","authors":"A. Al-Busaidi, Mushtaque Ahmed, B. Shaharoona","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP2-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP2-7","url":null,"abstract":"Kala Compost is a mixture of treated sewage bio-solids and green wastes. It can improve soil fertility and plant growth. However, long-term application of treated sewage bio-solids could result in heavy metals accumulation and some health problems. e objective of this study was to evaluate the e ect of a long run application of Kala compost mixed with chemical fertilizer on soil and plant productivity. Soil and plant (mainly cucumber) samples were taken from 12 greenhouses that received Kala compost continuously for the last ve years. No symptoms of physical or chemical problems were observed in the greenhouses and measured soil samples. Moreover, the soil had su cient values of di erent nutrients for plant growth and all measured micronutrients (heavy metals) were within the safe limit and below the range of the international standards. An excellent growth was observed in all grown plants and no symptoms of elements de ciency were found. Chemical analysis of fruit samples did not show any accumulation of heavy metals and all measured elements were within the safe limit and did not exceed the international standards. It can be concluded that Kala compost was a good media for plant growth that can enrich the soil with di erent elements needed for higher yield. However, more monitoring is needed with treated bio-solid application but good management could be the key to avoid any adverse e ect of any contaminant.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"22 1","pages":"2-7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46683796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Moisture and temperature in a proppant-enveloped silt block of a recharge dam reservoir: Laboratory experiment and 1-D mathematical modelling","authors":"A. Kacimov, A. Al‐Maktoumi, S. Al-Ismaily, H. Al-Busaidi","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP8-17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP8-17","url":null,"abstract":"Mosaic 3-D cascade of parallelepiped-shaped silt blocks, which sandwich sand- lled cracks, has been discovered in the eld and tested in lab experiments. Controlled wetting-drying of these blocks, collected from a dam reservoir, mimics field ponding-desiccation conditions of the topsoil layer subject to caustic solar radiation, high temperature and wind, typical in the Batinah region of Oman. In 1-D analytical modelling of a transient Richards’ equation for vertical evaporation, the method of small perturbations is applied, assuming that the relative permeability is Avery-anov’s 3.5-power function of the moisture content and capillary pressure is a given (measured) function. A linearized advective dispersion equation is solved with respect to the second term in the series expansion of the moisture content as a function of spatial coordinates and time. For a single block of a nite thickness we solve a boundary value problem with a no- ow condition at the bottom and a constant moisture content at the surface. Preliminary comparisons with theta-, TDR- probes measuring the moisture content and temperature at several in-block points are made. Results corroborate that a 3-D heterogeneity of soil physical properties, in particular, horizontal and vertical capillary barriers emerging on the interfaces between silt and sand generate eco-niches with stored soil water compartments favourable for lush vegetation in desert conditions. Desiccation significantly increases the temperature in the blocks and re-wetting of the blocks reduces the daily average and peak temperatures, the latter by almost 15°C. This is important for planning irrigation in smartly designed soil substrates and sustainability of wild plants in the region where the top soil peak temperature in the study area exceeds 70°C in Summer but smartly structured soils maintain lash vegetation. Thee layer of dry top-blocks acts as a thermal insulator for the subjacent layers of wet blocks that may host the root zone of woody species.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"22 1","pages":"8-17"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47402792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility of growing Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) at Jabal Al-Akhdar, Sultanate of Oman","authors":"S. Al-Rawahi, Amna Mahmoud Al-Toobi, M. Al-Balushi","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP63-66","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP63-66","url":null,"abstract":"Oman is one of the top nine countries in the world with highest prevalence of diabetes. There is therefore more awareness among the people to take necessary precautions to preserve their health by reducing their sugar consumption and replacing it with low calorie sweeteners. Stevia is a natural herbal sweetener that is safe and does not have the neurological or renal side effects associated with some of the artificial sweeteners. A feasibility study to grow Stevia was undertaken after obtaining the seeds that were initially planted in greenhouse to study their growth habits under controlled conditions. The plants were then transferred to the field in Jabal Al-Akhdar at an elevation of 1079 m above sea level where temperatures were appropriate for Stevia growth in summer since it was within its tolerant temperature range. Two types of Stevia plants were transferred to JA for the three months field study; those that originated directly from seeds and those from transplant cuttings. Drip irrigation system with timer was installed with two laterals each having six emitters spaced 60 cm apart and each supplying 2 liters of water per day. Moderate fertilizer NPK was applied. Five out of six plants in each of the two plots grew very well to the end of the season. Some insects were attracted by the sweetness of the leaves but proper measures were taken to prevent damage. Results show that it is feasible to grow Stevia in JA in summer.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"22 1","pages":"63-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44682310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of some water saving devices in urban areas: A case study from the Sultanate of Oman","authors":"H. Rahman, Halima A Al-Farsi, Mushtaque Ahmed, M. Goosen","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP18-26","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL22ISS1PP18-26","url":null,"abstract":"Water Saving Devices (WSDs) sustain demands for potable water, soften impacts on supply systems and inflict a positive effect on wastewater treatment systems. This study evaluated the effect of some WSDs in Oman. A questionnaire survey and some case studies were used. The survey results revealed that the pipe line system network for water supply accounted for about 67.7%, whereas the rest mainly use tankers. Around 37.2% of the participants received consumed 25000 - 45000 liters per household per month. Case studies showed no significant difference in household water usage before and after installation of WSDs due to pre-installed aerators. Toilet bags and dual flush toilets were not effective promoting users to flush. However, WSDs were significantly effective in restaurants, mosques, hotels and government buildings. Water consumption in shopping centres and hospitals slightly decreased. Retrofitting programs that involve replacement of existing plumbing equipment and residential water audit programs are recommended.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"22 1","pages":"18-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2018-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43119761","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An assessment of longnose trevally (Carangoides chrysophrys) (Cuvier, 1833) fishery in the Arabian Sea, Oman","authors":"I. Al-Rasady, A. Govender","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP19-24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP19-24","url":null,"abstract":"The Present study assessed the fishery state of longnose trevally (Carangoides chrysophrys) in the North West Arabian Sea. Key population parameters were estimated, and yield and spawning stock biomass per recruit analyses were conducted. The equation presented by Alagaraja (1984) for estimating natural mortality resulted in M = 0.29 year-1 and lead to the best estimate of longevity. Hence this value was used in the yield and spawning stock biomass per recruit analyses. The total mortality (Z) was estimated as 0.39 year-1, based on a catch curve analysis. Length-at- and age-at-50% captures were 38.21cm and 4 years respectively. The yield and spawning biomass per recruit analyses indicate that the current fishing mortality rate (Fcurr) was lower than the fishing mortality corresponding to the maximum yield per recruit (Fmax) and was also higher than the target reference point (F0.1) , suggesting that overfishing, currently, does not occur. However, any increase in the fishing effort in the future may lead to overfishing.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"21 1","pages":"19-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69293720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of reclaimed water irrigation on soil salinity, hydraulic conductivity, cation exchange capacity and macro-nutrients","authors":"S. A. Alkhamisi, M. Al-Wardy, Mushtaque Ahmed, S. Prathapar","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP7-18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP7-18","url":null,"abstract":"Field studies were conducted at Agriculture Research Center, Oman during the year 2010/2011 to monitor the impact of reclaimed water irrigation on soil physical and chemical properties after wheat, cowpea and maize cultivation (in rotation). Three different water sources (Groundwater (GW), desalinized water (DW), and Reclaimed Water (RW)) were used as the treatments in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with 3 blocks (replicates). Samples were taken from four depths (30, 45, 60 and 90 cm) after harvesting time of the three crops. Soil salinity (ECe) in all soil depths decreased with time. Organic carbon did not show significant difference between harvest timings of wheat and cowpea. Organic carbon increased with time in soil irrigated with reclaimed water. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil, Ksat didn’t show significant difference among the water types and their interaction with soil depths. Total nitrogen was the highest after cowpea harvest in reclaimed water irrigation. The soil phosphorus and potassium were not affected by any of the three water irrigation types. The highest concentrations of phosphorus and potassium were found to be in the upper soil layers. Overall, no adverse impacts of reclaimed water irrigation were observed after growing three crops of rotation.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"21 1","pages":"7-18"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69295155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic and environmental factors affecting 305-day mature equivalent milk yield of Holstein Friesian cows in the United Arab Emirates","authors":"Mohamed ElNour ElBoshra, T. E. Ali, A. Hassabo","doi":"10.24200/jams.vol21iss0pp1-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/jams.vol21iss0pp1-6","url":null,"abstract":"The main objective of this research was determining the effect of sire of cow, year and season of freshening, lactation number, and their different interactions on 305-day mature equivalent (ME) milk yield of Holstein Friesian cows in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also aimed to estimate sire and error variance and heritability of 305-day ME milk yield. The data was collected from AL Salamat Dairy Farm in Al Ain. The average size of the herd was 1000 animals during the experimental period. The Dairy Comp 305 computer program was used for compiling the data. The data under the study covered the years 2004 to 2007. The climatic temperature during the summer (April to September) varied from moderate to very hot. The winter (October to March) had lower temperature and higher relative humidity than the summer. All the effects were fixed except for random sire and residual error term. The overall least-square mean of the 305-day ME milk yield was 11060A}355 kg/305 days. The data showed a significant effect of sire of cow (p≤0.001), year of freshening (p≤0.001), lactation number (p≤0.01), year x season of freshening (p≤0.01), and year of freshening x lactation number (p≤0.001) on milk yield. However, the effect of season of freshening showed non significant effect. No significant seasonal differences were found in 2004. However, in the year 2005 and 2006, the summer fresheners had significantly higher yield than those of the winter season. The 305-day ME pertaining to summer vs. winter were 11691A}400 kg vs. 11483A}410 kg and 11522A}369 kg vs. 11041A}374 kg for the year 2005 and 2006, respectively. However, the reverse was true in 2007 with the fresheners during summer that have lower 305-day ME (10286A}372kg) than those freshening during winter (10672A}388 kg). The differences among the three lactations were relatively high in 2004 (9837 to 12116 kg), compared to 2005 - 2006 (11267 to 11747 kg) and 2007 (9853 to 11355 kg). The heritability of 305-day ME was 0.31 indicating that a significant response to selection would be achieved through a well-designed progeny testing and cow evaluation program.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"21 1","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69294159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of rootstock on muskmelon cultivar reaction to vine decline disease and yield under arid conditions","authors":"Q. S. A. Mawaali, A. Al-Sadi, F. Al-Said, M. Deadman","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP47-56","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP47-56","url":null,"abstract":"Monosporascus cannonballus, Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium aphanidermatum are the main causal agents of muskmelon vine decline disease in Oman. This study was conducted to examine the response of six cucurbit rootstocks grafted on four muskmelon scions to the causal agents and fruit quality and quantity. The response of 10 day old Palmira seedlings to artificial inoculation with R. solani pathogen alone revealed more damage to muskmelon seedling whereas P. aphanidermatum and M. cannonballus caused less damage when inoculated singly but more disease severity index when combined with R. solani. Artificial inoculation of different rootstocks produced significantly no damping-off and very low vine decline disease severity index on Mubyeongjangsoo, Titan, Tetsukabuto, Rsscih7458, Ezra and Strong Tosa rootstocks. All rootstocks produced high grafting success and low graft failure with the four selected muskmelon cultivars. Rootstocks enhanced early harvesting of grafted Tamara but had no effect on other scions. Fruit shape was almost not significantly affected by grafting except Samit grafted on Strong Tosa and Caramel grafted on Mubyeongjangsoo produced significantly different fruit shapes compared to ungrafted controls in the spring 2013 trial. Fruits from both grafted Shahd and Tamara showed no significant differences in rind brightness, redness and yellowness from the control. An various effect of rootstock was found on harvesting, fruit number and weight, chlorophyll content, and stem diameter of the scion. Rootstocks enhanced early harvesting and increased fruit number and fruit weight in grafted Tamara scions. There was no significant effect of grafting on fruit TSS. The study shows positive effects of grafting on tolerance to vine decline and on fruit quality and yield.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"21 1","pages":"47-56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69294459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fish landings and Oman shelf area","authors":"S. Piontkovski, H. Al-Oufi, N. Al-Abri","doi":"10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP25-32","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.24200/JAMS.VOL21ISS0PP25-32","url":null,"abstract":"Data from five field surveys carried out along the shelf in the 20-250m depth range and historical data on artisanal fishery were analyzed. A positive linear relationship between the demersal fish biomass and the shelf area was pronounced for a certain (intermediate) stratum only: 50-100m. No statistical link was found for the strata above it (25-50m) and beneath it (100-150m and 150-250m). The pronounced one was associated with the low boundary of the oxygen minimum zone impinging on the shelf. Annual landings of demersal fishes in the region with the largest shelf area exceeded landings in the region with the smallest area by as much as 1.6 times. The ratio of small pelagic to demersal fish landings decreased as a factor of 10, from small to large shelf areas.","PeriodicalId":32106,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences","volume":"21 1","pages":"25-32"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69293735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}