MEXICO-JAPAN JOINT RESEARCH ON PREVENTING DESERTIFICATION

1.通过CIBNORI和Tottori大学的联合研究，调查了墨西哥下加利福尼亚州干旱地区的生态系统和农业现状。灌溉引起的农用地盐碱化逐步发展，荒漠化弃耕土地日益增多。地下水的枯竭和盐碱化将很快成为下加利福尼亚州农业的一个大问题。此外，线虫对农作物的危害也在增加。有必要迅速采取措施满足这些条件。栽培、灌溉、施肥技术不尽如人意。巨型仙人掌是下加利福尼亚州最重要的植物物种。然而，300到400年历史的植物枯萎的面积正在迅速增加。原因尚不清楚。这是下加利福尼亚州的一个严重的环境问题。耕地和荒地的土壤侵蚀是下加利福尼亚州的一个大问题。两个小组可以通过对下加利福尼亚州的调查，单独和相互地认识到那里的问题。CIBNOR团队参观了鸟取大学的环境控制、作物和水资源管理、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举办了四次研讨会，以交流关于防治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.