Field studies planning
Season 2009: A field with corn has been selected which is irrigated for the last 10 years with freshwater from a local stream ("Megalomaxairo"). A second field owned by the same farmer (same agricultural practices) which is irrigated traditionally with saline groundwater will be also studied in order to obtain data concerning the physical and chemical properties, production, etc.
During the next crop season (2010): local authorities involvement and cooperation may contribute to freshwater transportation in the groundwater irrigated field. In this case the short-term effects on productivity increase and desertification mitigation will be studied in combination with different amelioration strategies (deep ploughing, gypsum addition).
Strategies incorporating structural measures (new drainage canals, installation of subsurface drainage pipes, decline of groundwater level, etc) will not be performed within the merits of this project unless appropriate contribution by the local authorities is available and this will be decided for the third cultivation period (2011).
