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Runoff Farming in the Desert. III. Microcatchments for Improvement of Desert Range¹

A technique of utilizing surface runoff from microcatchments was adapted to grow pasture shrubs (Atriplex halimus L.) on a barren saline loessial plain in the desert. The average annual rainfall of the region is about 90 mm. Microcatchments varied in size from 16 m₂ to 1,000 m₂. Maximum yields were obtained from a 32 m₂ microcatchment which produced an average annual yield of 160 feed units/ha/yr, as compared to 5 to 10 feed units/ha, on the untreated plain. Protein yield was about 40 kg/ha. The system costs $5 to 20 per ha to construct and can repay its construction cost within 2 to 3 years. The method is also being adapted to the growing of fruit trees.

Key Words: Waterharvesting

² Research Scientist, Senior Lecturer, and Professor, respectively, Department of Botany, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel; and Soil Scientist, Institute for Atomic Sciences in Agriculture, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

Received for publication October 15, 1969.