MEXICO-JAPAN JOINT RESEARCH ON PREVENTING DESERTIFICATION

1. 2.通过与鸟取大学的合作，对墨西哥下加利福尼亚干旱地区的生态系统和农业现状进行了调查.灌溉引起的农田盐碱化逐渐发展，荒漠化弃耕地不断增加。地下水的枯竭和盐碱化将很快成为下加利福尼亚农业的一个大问题。线虫对农作物的危害也在增加。有必要采取措施迅速满足这些条件。栽培、灌溉、施肥技术不合理.巨型仙人掌是下加利福尼亚最重要的植物种类。然而，300至400年的老植物枯萎的面积正在迅速增加。原因未知。这是下加利福尼亚州一个严重的环境问题。耕地和未耕地的土壤侵蚀是下加利福尼亚州的一个大问题。通过对下加利福尼亚的调查，双方可以单独或相互认识到那里的问题。CIBNOR的团队参观了鸟取大学的环境控制，作物和水管理，化学分析和信息分析等设施。他们认识到与鸟取大学进行联合研究的重要性。在鸟取大学和CIBNOR举行了四次专题讨论会，以交流有关预防荒漠化和可持续农业的信息。

1. The present condition of ecosystem and agriculture of arid areas in Baja California, Mexico was investigated by joint research between Centro de Investigaciones Biologicas del Noroeste (CIBNORI) and Tottori University.2. Salinization and alkalization of agricultural lands caused by irrigation have been gradually developing and abandoned lands by desertification are increasing. The depletion and salinization of ground water will soon be a big problem in agriculture in Baja California. Also a damage of crops by nematode is increasing. It is necessary to take steps to meet these conditions rapidly.3. The technology of cultivation, irrigation and fertilization seemed to be unsatisfactory.4. The giant cactus is the most important plant species in Baja California. However, the area of withering of 300 to 400 year old plants is rapidly increasing. The cause is unknown. It is a serious environmental problem in Baja California.5. Soil erosion of cultivated and uncultivated lands is a big problem in Baja California.6. The both teams could lecognize the problems in Baja California individually and mutually by the investigation there.7. The team of CIBNOR visited the facilities of environmental control, crop and water management, chemical analyses and information analyses etc. of Tottori University. They recognized the importance of joint research with Tottori University.8. Four symposia were held four times in Tottori University and CIBNOR in order to exchange information about preventing desertification and sustainable agriculture.