Greenhouse practices along the northern Lebanese coast: melding tradition and intensification | La serriculture de la cote nord du Liban: entre tradition et intensification
2000
Atallah, T. (Universite Libanaise de Beyrouth (Liban). Faculte d'Agronomie) | Darwish, T. | Ward, R.
In Lebanon, since its introduction in the 1 960s, protected cultivation first expanded and then regressed due to local and regional conditions. This sector - one of the most intensive production systems - is currently flourishing, but information on cultural practices and input management is lacking. In particular, apart from a study documenting soil salination in greenhouses, no information is available on the soil and water status and their sustainability. A survey was conducted with growers along the coastline between Beirut and Chekka to determine farmers'cultural practices and decision-making criteria. Socioeconomic aspects, manpower, production unit sizes and management - cultural succession, crop protection, water and fertilizer inputs - were evaluated while focusing on the impact of these practices on soil fertility, including salinity. The area covered by greenhouses is increasing, especially above 400 m elevation. Growing units were found to be medium- to small-sized (67% 5,000 m2) and all had employees. This manpower takes care of all agricultural operations and is not salaried, i.e. workers are paid in products. Tomato and cucumber crops prevailed. Cultural techniques, especially fertilization, were traditional, despite the use of localized irrigation systems. Farmyard manures were widely used, in addition to low-solubility fertilizers. Nutrient types and doses were determined empirically since no soil or plant analyses are carried out. Water quality was satisfactory and soil analysis showed overfertilization but no long-term salinity build-up
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