- Email: [email protected]
Forage and fuel production from salt affected wasteland
FieldCropsResearch,16 (1987) 193-196
193
Elsevier SciencePublishersB.V., Amsterdam-- Printed in The Netherlands
Book R e v i e w s PRODUCTIONFROM SALT-AFFECTEDLAND
Forage and Fuel Production from Salt Affected Wasteland. Proceedings of a seminar held at Cunderdin, Western Australia. E.G. Barrett-Lennard, C.V. Malcolm, W.R. Stern and S.M. Wilkins (Editors). Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1986. x + 459 pp., Dfl.200/US$74.00. ISBN 0-444-426515. Reprinted from Reclamation and Revegetation Research, Vol. 5, Nos. 1-3, 1986. This text consists of 35 papers presented at a Research for Development Seminar held at Cunderdin, Western Australia in May 1984. The gathering was an initiative of the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and was supported by the Australian Development Assistance Bureau, the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Organization, the Agency for International Development, and the International Development Research Center. Plant scientists, soil scientists, range scientists, hydrologists, social scientists, and planners from over 20 nations participated in the activities. The objective of the seminar was to establish an information base for new initiatives in the utilization of salt-affected lands for the production of forage and/or fuel. An interdisciplinary approach and format allowed for thorough coverage of the complex nature of the salinity problem and its subsequent impacts on agricultural development. The magnitude of the problems associated with the utilization of saline soils and water was highlighted in a unique section of country reports. These contain a wealth of specific information for the countries of Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia. This section of the text alone provides an excellent reference for the topic. The remainder of the text is divided among five sections covering the nature and distribution of salt-affected wasteland, salt-tolerant plant resources, production from salt-affected soils, establishment problems and methods, and utilization, management and social impacts. As expected from a collection of papers presented at a scientific gathering, the depth and breadth of each topic varies. However, all papers are well referenced for subsequent study. As a group, the sections on the nature and distribution of salt-affected wasteland and salt tolerant plant resources are particularly well-written. In addition to those sections, individual papers covering production from salt-affected soils, guidelines for determining stocking rates for saline shrubland, and water use by trees and shrubs for lowering saline groundwater provided informative facts and identified considerations critical for the effective development of salt-affected lands. Reinforced through all papers was the concept that salinity as a problem is quite widespread however unevenly distributed (with regard to location in a
194
given country, field, or even soil profile ), thus adding to the complexity of the problems faced by both the technical and social scientist alike. The complexity of the salinity problem and its potential resolution are highlighted in the final two papers of the text. Interesting points noted with respect to research directions currently underway include that salinity problems occur through both natural and man-made causes ( therefore some are more easily corrected), and that in a few developing countries current fuel needs may be more critical than food needs. Among the points of difference arising between research philosophies presented are to what extent should saline lands be reclaimed, whether salt-tolerant glycophytic plants or halophytes should be exploited, and what end-products should be derived from these lands. These differences of opinion should provide incentive for future research initiatives. A consensus of the participants was that, because of the complexity of the problems associated with salinity, multidisciplinary approaches will be needed in their resolution. Furthermore, the participants of this seminar clearly recognize the potential positive opportunities as well as the problems associated with salt-affected wastelands. Because of the format of the seminar some redundancy occurs between papers, particularly those simply highlighting causes of salinity, e.g. climate and edaphic factors, excessive irrigation coupled with poor drainage, or identifying salt-tolerant plant resources, e.g. Atriplex, Prosopis, and Acacia spp. Also, the book lacks an index which would have been helpful for readers searching for specific information. Despite these minor flaws, the book is well presented and easily read. This compilation provides a thorough review and serves as an excellent reference for persons searching for information and a perspective on the topic, particularly those who might have interests in the technical issues associated with the utilization of salt-affected lands. In this respect, the organizers of the seminar and the editors of the text achieved their primary objective. STEPHEN KRESOVICH
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Weslaco, TX 78596 (U.S.A.)
PLANT SENESCENCE
Processes and Control of Plant Senescence by Y.Y. Leshem, A.H. Halevy and C. Frenkel, 1986. Developments in Crop Science, Vol. 8. Published by Elsevier Science Publishers, P.O. Box 330, 1000 AH Amsterdam, The Netherlands, xii+216 pp. ill. Price US$64.75/Dfl.175.00. ISBN 0-444-42521-7.
193
Elsevier SciencePublishersB.V., Amsterdam-- Printed in The Netherlands
Book R e v i e w s PRODUCTIONFROM SALT-AFFECTEDLAND
Forage and Fuel Production from Salt Affected Wasteland. Proceedings of a seminar held at Cunderdin, Western Australia. E.G. Barrett-Lennard, C.V. Malcolm, W.R. Stern and S.M. Wilkins (Editors). Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, 1986. x + 459 pp., Dfl.200/US$74.00. ISBN 0-444-426515. Reprinted from Reclamation and Revegetation Research, Vol. 5, Nos. 1-3, 1986. This text consists of 35 papers presented at a Research for Development Seminar held at Cunderdin, Western Australia in May 1984. The gathering was an initiative of the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and was supported by the Australian Development Assistance Bureau, the United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Organization, the Agency for International Development, and the International Development Research Center. Plant scientists, soil scientists, range scientists, hydrologists, social scientists, and planners from over 20 nations participated in the activities. The objective of the seminar was to establish an information base for new initiatives in the utilization of salt-affected lands for the production of forage and/or fuel. An interdisciplinary approach and format allowed for thorough coverage of the complex nature of the salinity problem and its subsequent impacts on agricultural development. The magnitude of the problems associated with the utilization of saline soils and water was highlighted in a unique section of country reports. These contain a wealth of specific information for the countries of Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and Australia. This section of the text alone provides an excellent reference for the topic. The remainder of the text is divided among five sections covering the nature and distribution of salt-affected wasteland, salt-tolerant plant resources, production from salt-affected soils, establishment problems and methods, and utilization, management and social impacts. As expected from a collection of papers presented at a scientific gathering, the depth and breadth of each topic varies. However, all papers are well referenced for subsequent study. As a group, the sections on the nature and distribution of salt-affected wasteland and salt tolerant plant resources are particularly well-written. In addition to those sections, individual papers covering production from salt-affected soils, guidelines for determining stocking rates for saline shrubland, and water use by trees and shrubs for lowering saline groundwater provided informative facts and identified considerations critical for the effective development of salt-affected lands. Reinforced through all papers was the concept that salinity as a problem is quite widespread however unevenly distributed (with regard to location in a
194
given country, field, or even soil profile ), thus adding to the complexity of the problems faced by both the technical and social scientist alike. The complexity of the salinity problem and its potential resolution are highlighted in the final two papers of the text. Interesting points noted with respect to research directions currently underway include that salinity problems occur through both natural and man-made causes ( therefore some are more easily corrected), and that in a few developing countries current fuel needs may be more critical than food needs. Among the points of difference arising between research philosophies presented are to what extent should saline lands be reclaimed, whether salt-tolerant glycophytic plants or halophytes should be exploited, and what end-products should be derived from these lands. These differences of opinion should provide incentive for future research initiatives. A consensus of the participants was that, because of the complexity of the problems associated with salinity, multidisciplinary approaches will be needed in their resolution. Furthermore, the participants of this seminar clearly recognize the potential positive opportunities as well as the problems associated with salt-affected wastelands. Because of the format of the seminar some redundancy occurs between papers, particularly those simply highlighting causes of salinity, e.g. climate and edaphic factors, excessive irrigation coupled with poor drainage, or identifying salt-tolerant plant resources, e.g. Atriplex, Prosopis, and Acacia spp. Also, the book lacks an index which would have been helpful for readers searching for specific information. Despite these minor flaws, the book is well presented and easily read. This compilation provides a thorough review and serves as an excellent reference for persons searching for information and a perspective on the topic, particularly those who might have interests in the technical issues associated with the utilization of salt-affected lands. In this respect, the organizers of the seminar and the editors of the text achieved their primary objective. STEPHEN KRESOVICH
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Weslaco, TX 78596 (U.S.A.)
PLANT SENESCENCE
Processes and Control of Plant Senescence by Y.Y. Leshem, A.H. Halevy and C. Frenkel, 1986. Developments in Crop Science, Vol. 8. Published by Elsevier Science Publishers, P.O. Box 330, 1000 AH Amsterdam, The Netherlands, xii+216 pp. ill. Price US$64.75/Dfl.175.00. ISBN 0-444-42521-7.