Irrigation/Fertilization:Fertigation
Ruminant Production
Msc, PhD and Post-Doctoral Training Courses

IRRIGATION / FERTILIZATION FERTIGATION

Contrary to population growth, anticipated that by year 2025 will be doubled, water resources are scarce and finite. Moreover, water quality is rapidly deteriorating particularly in the Mediterranean region. It is further anticipated that by 2050 about 65% of the world will face severe water shortage if no proper actions are taken to save water, minimise water losses and improve water management. Because of this, there is an increasing concern about water conservation and the effective and efficient utilisation of water and fertilizers in agriculture.

The increasing demand for food supply necessitated the intensification (rationalisation) of irrigated agriculture with increased application of fertilizers. In this respect, improved irrigation technology and efficient use of irrigation water are essential to control leaching and keep in balance fertilizers applied with those needed by the crop. Irrigated agriculture can be environmentally sustained provided that good water management, water conservation, salinity, leaching of plant nutrients and erosion control are recognised. With inappropriate planning the threat of environmental damage due to irrigation - fertilization is inevitable, whereas, irrigated agriculture properly planned, constructed and managed, instead of being an environmental problem can be an environmental asset. Therefore, full intensification of agriculture in irrigated lands, while taking all possible precautions against the environmental problems that could follow this approach, is the challenge of the immediate future.

Fertigation is increasingly gaining importance in intensive agriculture as environmental and economic pressures on agricultural production grow. Fertigation became feasible due to substantial developments in the modern irrigation technology. However, application of fertigation is mostly empirical. There is a substantial lack of knowledge by professionals on fertigation and particularly on its transfer to the farmers although considerable information was gained the last years.

Aware of this need, the Agricultural Research Institute, having long tradition in irrigation/fertigation, is organising as advanced course to share the know-how attained in Cyprus on this aspect with other countries facing similar problems and challenges.

Objectives of the course

1. Offer scientific, technological and technical background on efficient and effective water and fertilizer application.

2. Review present practices of micro-irrigation/fertigation.

3. Provide information for upgrading, implementation and operation of micro-irrigation/fertigation systems.

4. Provide modern management solutions and innovative approaches through rational use of water and fertilizers to increase yield, improve quality and safeguard sustainable production.

5. Provide a basis for the development of national guidelines and code of practices for micro-irrigation/fertigation.

Admission

Candidates must have a Bachelor or a Master degree in agriculture, irrigation, fertilization, plant nutrition or horticulture and at least two years of post qualification experience in research or advisory services in soil sciences.

Registration

Further information may be obtained from:

Mr Christos Metochis

1516 Nicosia, P.O. Box 22016 Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; : 357 2 403100/403114

Fax%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; : 357 2 316770

e-mail : Chr.Metochis@arinet.ari.gov.cy

Applications and Curriculum Vitae may be submitted either in hard copy or by e-mail.

Registration fees for the entire course amount to US$1000, covering tuition, coffee breaks and field trip expenses.

Organization

Venue and date

The course will take place at the Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus in April, 2002.

There will be morning sessions from 08:30 to 13:30 hrs. The lectures will be given by well qualified scientists from the Agricultural Research Institute.

Duration of the course : Two weeks

Number of participants: 15-20 selected by the Organizing Committee

Language

The language is English with no translation.

Visas

Candidates coming from countries from where visa is required they can apply to Cyprus Embassies or Consulates in their countries. In case of difficulties we will arrange for visas upon arrival at the airport. Entrance in Cyprus should be through the territory under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.

Insurance

Participants should have an insurance valid for Cyprus.

Scholarship

Programme

1. Theoretical Training

1.1 Fertigation: Principles, present stage and future prospects

1.1.1 Potential advantages

1.1.2 Possible disadvantages

1.2 Prerequisites for fertigation

1.2.1 Water use efficiency and fertigation

1.2.2 Crop water requirements

1.2.3 Scheduling of irrigation

1.2.4 Irrigation systems

1.2.5 Design of irrigation systems

1.2.6 Quality criteria for selecting an irrigation system

1.2.7 Experimental results on irrigation

1.2.8 Irrigation at farmers level

1.3 Plant nutrients

1.3.1 Macronutrients

1.3.2 Micronutrients

1.4 Soil fertility and crop production

1.4.1 Soil nutrients and crop yield

1.4.2 Soil nutrients, evaluation

1.4.2.1 Soil analysis

1.4.2.2 Plant tissue analysis

1.4.3 Factors affecting soil fertility

1.4.4 Soil fertility and fertilization

1.5 Fertilizers

1.5.1 Types of fertilizers

1.5.1.1 Mineral fertilizers

1.5.1.1.1 Conventional fertilizers

1.5.1.1.2 Highly soluble fertilizers

1.5.1.1.3 Slow release fertilizers

1.5.1.2 Organic fertilizers

1.5.1.3 Bio fertilizers

1.6 Methods of fertilizer application

1.6.1 Conventional methods

1.6.2 Fertigation

1.7 Fertigation systems and equipment

1.8 Fertilizer recommendations

1.8.1 Scientific basis for recommendations

1.8.1.1 Nutrient uptake by crops

1.8.1.2 Nutrients supplied by soil

1.8.1.3 Integrated plant nutrient system

1.9 Nutrient requirements of main crops

1.9.1 Nutrients required

1.9.1.1 Canopy formation

1.9.1.2 Production per unit area

1.10 Fertilizers and water use

1.10.1 Water and crop nutrition

1.10.2 Water and nutrient use efficiency

1.10.3 Water, nutrients and critical stages of development

1.11 Fertigation recommendations

1.11.1 Main fruit crops

1.11.2 Vegetables

1.11.3 Open field

1.11.4 Greenhouse

1.12 Fertilizing and produce quality

1.12.1 Fruit crops

1.12.2 Vegetables

1.12.3 Flowers

1.13 Fertilizers and environment

1.13.1 Effects on soils

1.13.2 Effects on waters

1.13.3 Salinity

1.14 Production in growing media

1.14.1 Vegetables

1.14.2 Flowers

1.15 Economics of fertilizer use and fertigation

2. Practical Training

2.1 Lab work

2.2 Two days field visits

RUMINANT PRODUCTION

The livestock sector, and particularly sheep and goats, plays an important role in the national economy of the North Africa and West Asia (WANA) countries, where about 30% of the gross value of agricultural output is provided by livestock production. Feed resources and water are the main constraints for animal production. Current systems of small ruminant production and dairy cow production do not satisfy local demand for meat and milk. Large increases in production will be needed in the future to meet the increasing demand resulting from the population increase, rising standards of living and the urbanization of human population. Given the widespread view that the rangelands and grazing lands are already over the limit of their carrying capacity, there is little scope for increasing the number of small ruminants. Increases in productivity of both small ruminants and dairy cows must therefore come from intensification, the integration of crop and livestock production and higher production per animal.

Objectives of the course

1. To review advantages and disadvantages of different management systems of ruminants.

2. To provide scientific, technological and technical information for intensive management systems.

Admission

Candidates must have a Bachelor or a Master degree in agriculture, animal or veterinary science and at least two years of post qualification experience in research or advisory services in animal production.

Registration

Further information may be obtained from:

Dr Miltos Hadjipanayiotou

1516 Nicosia, P.O. Box 22016, Cyprus

Tel.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; : 357 2 403100/403118

Fax%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; : 357 2 316770

e-mail : M.Hadjipanayiotou@arinet.ari.gov.cy

Applications and Curriculum Vitae may be submitted either in hard copy or by e-mail.

Candidates should send the completed application form to the above address, accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae stating degree, qualifications, experience and present occupation. Deadline of submission of application is: 15 July

Registration fees for the course amount to US$1000, covering tuition fees, and expenses for field trips and coffee breaks.

Organization

Venue and date

The course will take place at the Agricultural Research Institute, Nicosia, Cyprus from 1 to 12 October, 2001.

There will be morning sessions from 08:30 to 13:30 hrs. The lectures will be given by well qualified scientists from the Agricultural Research Institute.

Duration of the course : Two weeks

Number of participants : 15-20 selected by the Organizing Committee

Language

The language is English with no translation.

Visas

In cases a visa is required to enter Cyprus, candidates can apply to Embassies or Consulates of the Republic of Cyprus. Entrance in Cyprus should be only through territory under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.

Insurance

The organizers of the course do not accept liability for the payment of any costs or compensation that may arise from damage to or loss of personal property, or from illness, injury, disability or death of a trainee while he/she is travelling to and from or attending the course. The trainees are advised to take out insurance valid for Cyprus against these risks.

Scholarship

Programme

1. Theoretical Training

1.1 Production systems in semi-arid environments

1.1.1 Extensive sheep and goat production systems.

1.1.2 Semi - intensive and intensive sheep and goat production systems.

1.1.3 Intensive dairy cattle production system.

1.2 Production, conservation, and storage of roughage and by products and improving the nutritive value of poor feedstuffs.

1.2.1 Baling of cereal straw

1.2.2 Hay and silage making

1.2.3 Ensiling agro-industrial by-products with high moisture content

1.2.4 Supplementary irrigation of winter forage crops

1.2.5 The use of sewage effluent to produce forage for ruminants

1.2.6 Improving the nutritive value of low quality feedstuffs

1.2.7 Information on protein degradability of feedstuffs

1.2.8 Inventory of locally produced feedstuffs

1.3 Nutrition, management and animal health

1.3.1 Protein and energy requirements for:

1.3.1.1 Growth and development

1.3.1.2 Maintenance

1.3.1.3 Pregnancy

1.3.1.4 Lactation

1.3.1.5 Mineral and vitamin requirements

1.3.2 Improvement of rumen function. (Supplementation with N, carbohydrates,vitamins,

major and trace elements).

1.3.3 Weaning systems

1.3.4 Post weaning feeding and management of early weaned, early bred females

1.3.5 Early weaning and fattening of lambs/kids/calves

1.3.6 Fattening and carcass quality

1.3.7 Housing/Hygienic conditions

1.3.8 Perinatal care of dams/offspring

1.3.9 Prevention and control of livestock diseases

1.4 Genetic improvement

1.4.1 Animal genetic resources

1.4.2 Basic concepts

1.4.3 Selection

1.4.4 Crossbreeding and Heterosis

1.4.5 Data collection and analysis

1.4.6 Genetic improvement programmes in dairy cattle, sheep and goats in Cyprus

1.5 Reproduction

1.5.1 Hormonal control of reproduction

1.5.2 Reproductive traits of economic importance in dairy cattle, sheep and goats

1.5.3 Seasonal reproduction

1.5.4 Oestrus induction/synchronisation and artificial insemination

1.5.5 Use of technology in ruminant reproduction (radio immunoassays, ultrasound scanners).

2. Practical Training

2.1 Practical experience with intensively managed flocks of sheep and goats and cows (Perinatal care of ewes and lambs, artificial rearing, and fattening of lambs and kids, milking of sheep and goats and cows, individual feeding of dairy cows with the computerized management system etc).

2.2 Laboratory work

2.2.1 In vivo digestibility

2.2.1.1 How to construct a crate

2.2.1.2 How to run a digestibility trial

2.2.2 In vitro digestibility

2.2.2.1 Tilley and Terry

2.2.2.2 Cellulase method

2.2.3 Rumen degradability

2.3 Visits to private farms of sheep, goats and cows.

POST-DOCTORAL, PHD AND MSC FELLOWSHIPS

The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Nicosia, Cyprus, has been recently selected by the European Union as a %26quot;Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and Environment%26quot;. Within the framework of this project the EU is supporting Post-doctoral, PhD and MSc research training at ARI. Research competencies include:

1. Post-doctoral training

2. Training for MSc and PHD

The number of candidates and duration of each training are:

The Agricultural Research Institute will provide to selected fellows a return air ticket and subsistence allowance from funds secured under the INCO Program.

Further information may be obtained from:

Dr A.P. Mavrogenis

1516 Nicosia, P.O.Box 22016, Cyprus

Tel.%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; : 357 2 403100/403121

Fax%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp;%26nbsp; : 357 2 316770

e-mail : A.P.Mavrogenis@arinet.ari.gov.cy