Development of mixed-cropping techniques to overcome fluctuation of water environment in semi-arid regions

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19KK0158
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research (B))
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 39:Agricultural and environmental biology and related fields
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: Iijima Morio 近畿大学, 農学部, 教授 (60252277)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 庄司 浩一 神戸大学, 農学研究科, 准教授 (10263394) ; 山根 浩二 近畿大学, 農学部, 准教授 (50580859) ; 廣岡 義博 近畿大学, 農学部, 講師 (80780981)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-10-07 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: close-mixed planting / 接触混植 / crack treatment / 亀裂処理 / crack fertilization / 亀裂施肥 / ultra-fine bubble / 超微細気泡

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to develop mixed-cropping techniques that can reduce the stress of floods and droughts caused by climate change in southern Africa. The introduction of rice-based mixed-cropping techniques was done to neighboring country of Botswana by sending many promising rice cultivars from Namibia. In Namibia, the technique of close mixed-planting of pearl millet, cowpea, and/or sorghum, was extended to various provinces. In Botswana, pot experiments were conducted to test the close mixed-planting of rice and cowpea. Experiments on ultra-fine bubble irrigation to rice was conducted in Japan to find out the basic findings contributing to develop paddy fields in permanent wetlands, a common seasonal wetland environment in both countries.

Free Research Field

作物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

南部アフリカの半乾燥地では、気候変動の進行により、水環境の極端化が起こりつつある。本研究では、パールミレット、カウピ－、ソルガムの接触混植技術を農家圃場レベルで拡大し、ナミビア北中部の諸州に実証試験を拡大した。これまでソルガムの栽培が難しかった乾燥傾向の畑地においても接触混植技術を用いればソルガムの栽培が可能となる。そのため、現地農家との協力体制を維持することができれば、研究成果のさらなる社会実装が期待できよう。さらに、ナミビア―ボツワナ―日本の3国間での研究連携の基礎を築いた。今後、若手研究者によって本研究ネットワークを活用した新たな研究展開の契機となることも期待できよう。