Technologies

Compost and inorganic fertilizer in saline soils [Oman]

أستخدام الأسمدة العضوية والغير عضوية في الترب المتملحه

technologies_1313 - Oman

Completeness: 67%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

AL Abri Fatima

MOAF

Oman

SLM specialist:

AlWehaibi Hamdan

Oman

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Test institution (TI) - Albania
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) - Oman

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Improving fertility of saline soil applying combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The total area where the technology implemented is 70 feddan. the farm is 35 years since it is established. there are also 4 green houses. There are 2 pumps for pumping irrigation. organic and inorganic fertilizers are used in this farm. crops grown are leafy crops.(onion, alfalfa, Rhodes Grass, Lemon , Date Palm, cassava)

Purpose of the Technology: to improve the productivity of soils under saline conditions . Salinity level of irrigated water is about 2.24 dS/m.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Land preparation is done before planting by plowing and harrowing. then the fertilizer applied before planting. Crops are cultivated by special machinery. The crops are also weeded manually.

Natural / human environment: the technology is implemented in nearly level land. Irrigation water is from wells. the farm is situated in locality where similar small holding are found in the surroundings.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Oman

Region/ State/ Province:

AlBatinah South

Further specification of location:

AlMusinah

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If the Technology is evenly spread over an area, specify area covered (in km2):

0.294

If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • 0.1-1 km2
Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.294 km2.

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through land users' innovation

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period from month to month: Sep to Jan; econd longest growing period from month to month: Jan to May

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): productivity decline, fertility decline and The quality of water is decline

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): decreasing yield due to old age of the farm

Future (final) land use (after implementation of SLM Technology): Cropland: Ca: Annual cropping

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?
  • Yes (Please fill out the questions below with regard to the land use before implementation of the Technology)
Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • full irrigation

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • integrated soil fertility management
  • improved plant varieties/ animal breeds

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V2: Grasses and perennial herbaceous plants
management measures

management measures

  • M2: Change of management/ intensity level
Comments:

Type of agronomic measures: better crop cover, manure / compost / residues, mineral (inorganic) fertilizers, minimum tillage

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -along boundary, aligned: -linear, scattered / dispersed, in blocks

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management, change in temperature, population pressure

Secondary causes of degradation: crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub), droughts, labour availability

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • reduce land degradation
Comments:

Secondary goals: prevention of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: low

Technical knowledge required for land users: moderate

Main technical functions: increase in organic matter

Secondary technical functions: improvement of ground cover, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of biomass (quantity)

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: G : grass

Aligned: -along boundary
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs

Aligned: -linear
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops

Scattered / dispersed
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs

In blocks
Vegetative material: C : perennial crops, G : grass

Change of land use practices / intensity level: crop rotation

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

OMR

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

0.39

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour unit 1.0 1268.0 1268.0
Equipment Machine use unit 1.0 15544.0 15544.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 16812.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 43107.69

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Labour unit 1.0 570.0 570.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 570.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 1461.54

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Labour , salinity

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Agro-climatic zone
  • arid

Thermal climate class: subtropics

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil fertility is low

Soil drainage / infiltration is good

Soil water storage capacity is low

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

for agricultural use only (irrigation)

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • 10-50% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • mechanized/ motorized
Gender:
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • medium-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, not titled
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

fodder quality

decreased
increased

animal production

decreased
increased
Water availability and quality

drinking water availability

decreased
increased

drinking water quality

decreased
increased

water availability for livestock

decreased
increased

water quality for livestock

decreased
increased

irrigation water availability

decreased
increased

irrigation water quality

decreased
increased

demand for irrigation water

increased
decreased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased

farm income

decreased
increased

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased

workload

increased
decreased

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved

health situation

worsened
improved

cultural opportunities

reduced
improved

recreational opportunities

reduced
improved

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved

conflict mitigation

worsened
improved

situation of socially and economically disadvantaged groups

worsened
improved

livelihood and human well-being

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

The use of organic fertilizers improve the quality of soil and the crop production increase due to the soil fertility.Crop rotation may prevents the soil from degradation

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased

water quality

decreased
increased
Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

downstream flooding

increased
reduced

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm not well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

Long-term returns:

slightly positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

neutral/ balanced

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

Links and modules

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