MEXICO-JAPAN JOINT RESEARCH ON PREVENTING DESERTIFICATION

1. 由墨西哥东北生物研究中心（CIBNORI）与鸟托里大学联合研究，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。灌溉引起的农用地盐碱化逐渐发展，沙漠化导致的撂荒地日益增多。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。有必要采取措施迅速满足这些条件。栽培、灌溉和施肥技术似乎不太令人满意。巨型仙人掌是下加利福尼亚州最重要的植物物种。然而，300 ~ 400年树龄植物的枯萎面积正在迅速增加。事故原因尚不清楚。这是下加利福尼亚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的一个大问题。通过对下加利福尼亚的调查，两个小组都能单独或共同认识到下加利福尼亚的问题。研制组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联合研究的重要性。在鸟取大学和西北森林研究所举行了四次专题讨论会，以交流关于防止沙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.