Under dryland systems of the Mediterranean basin, water management is widely recognised critical for improving grain yield. It has been proposed that nitrogen (N) fertilisation may be a tool to increase yield by increasing use efficiency. We tested in multilocation-multiyear study four different areas Basin if durum wheat and barley respond positively N under rainfed cultivation. The involved 1...

The challenge of producing food for a rapidly increasing population in semi-arid agro-ecosystems in Southern Africa is daunting. More food necessarily means more consumptive use of so-called green water flow (vapour flow sustaining crop growth). Every increase in food production upstream in a watershed will impact on water user and using systems downstream. Intensifying agriculture has in the p...

The agriculture in low rainfall areas of eastern Rajasthan, India is characterized by high risks from drought, degraded natural resources and pervasive poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition. In this region, water is the main limiting factor for upgrading rainfed agriculture. For such areas integrated watershed management is recognized as a potential approach for agriculture growth and rehab...

The analysis of carbon isotope discrimination (∆) in crop plant remains from archaeological sites may help to assess water availability for early agriculture. This study presents the analysis of ∆ in seeds of naked wheat (Triticum aestivum/durum), lentil (Lens orientalis/ culinaris), and flax (Linum sp.) found at the archaeological site of Tell Halula in the valley of the Middle Euphrates (Syri...

Rainfed farming is a dominant agricultural system in Tigray, Ethiopia. However, rainfall characterized by short duration, intense and erratic subjected to late-onset early cessation, suggesting pressing need for Supplemental Irrigation (SI) fill the crop water demand. Understanding effects of SI during late-onset, or both, along with their underlying causes, critical knowledge gap globally. Alt...

The results of two field trials to determine the effect of ratoon stunting disease on the growth and yield of some widely grown and newly released sugarcane varieties are described. In the plant crop of a trial grown under full irrigation, the greatest reductions in yields of cane and sugar among six varieties, approximately 15%, occurred in N 14 and NC0376. In the first ratoon, the greatest re...