Page 22 - AWA Vol.41-No.6 2025

IRRIGATION

Farming the unfarmable: How microbes

are reviving life in desert soils

In dry, degraded soil, it’s easy to systems, these approaches can re‑
assume life has gone quiet. But un‑ store fertility, reduce input depen‑
derground, a different story unfolds— dency and help create more stable
one of continuous exchange between growing conditions over time.
plant roots and microbial communi‑ “Microbial life is one of agriculture’s
ties that shape each other in subtle but most overlooked tools,” said co-au‑
powerful ways. A new paper, co‑au‑ thor Professor Junling Zhang. “When
thored by researchers from American we support the living processes in
University of Sharjah (AUS) and pub‑ soil, we create systems that are more
lished in Science, one of the world’s sustainable, more adaptive and better
most prestigious scientific journals, aligned with how ecosystems natural‑
explores this relationship and propos‑ freshwater, this model offers a path ly function.”
es a new model for sustainable agri‑ forward. At AUS, Dr. Klironomos and
culture—one rooted in ecology and his team are already putting the con‑ Alongside ecological practice, the
informed by decades of research. cepts into action. Field trials are un‑ review points to advances in plant
science. By identifying the genes and
The review was developed through derway with microbial inoculants— molecular signals involved in root‑mi‑
beneficial bacteria or fungi added
a year‑long collaboration between to the soil to boost plant health—and crobe communication, researchers
five scientists: Dr. John Klironomos, are now exploring breeding strate‑
Professor in Biology Chemistry and biostimulants, natural substances that gies to develop crop varieties that
help plants grow better and cope with
Environmental Sciences and Associ‑ interact more effectively with soil
ate Dean for Research and Innovation stress like heat or poor soil. Desert microbiomes, an emerging direction
at the AUS College of Arts and Sci‑ crops such as wheat and date palms that bridges molecular biology and
ences, Professors Guangzhou Wang, are tested to measure how they per‑ agronomy.
Fusuo Zhang and Junling Zhang from form under extreme soil conditions
China Agricultural University; and when supported by the right microbi‑ To further localize and scale this
Professor Wim van der Putten from al partners. work, AUS and regional partners have
the Netherlands Institute of Ecology “Plants and microbes have always in‑ launched the Sharjah Sustainable Ag‑
and Wageningen University. fluenced each other,” said Dr. Klirono‑ riculture Research Group. The group
Their focus is on plant—soil feed‑ mos. “The key is managing those in‑ brings together Professors from AUS
including: Dr. Klironomos; Dr. Mo‑
back: the concept that plants shape teractions with purpose, especially in hamed Abouleish, Professor in Biol‑
the microbial makeup of the soil environments where every biological ogy, Chemistry and Environmental
through their roots and chemical sig‑ advantage matters. This work helps Sciences; and Dr. Tarig Ali, Professor
nals, while these microbes, in turn, shift the focus from short‑term yield to in Civil Engineering; as well as Dr.
influence plants’ access to nutrients, long‑term soil function.” Ali El‑Keblawy from the University
water and protection from disease. The paper also revisits traditional of Sharjah. Their combined exper‑
These feedback loops, depending farming strategies—including crop
on how they are managed, can either rotation, intercropping and minimum tise spans soil ecology, spatial analy‑
sis, sustainability science and native
weaken or strengthen a crop system. tillage—not as legacy techniques but plant conservation and biotechnolo‑
For regions like the UAE, where as ecologically informed methods to gy—all directed toward restoring the
farming is challenged by salinity, support soil biology. When imple‑ biological function of arid soils.
limited organic matter and scarce mented with awareness of microbial Circle 28 on enquiry card

Working Characteristics Of CRC80 Vertical Impact

Irrigation Sprinkler Gun

The CRC80 vertical impact irriga‑ irrigation efficiency.
tion sprinkler gun is designed with a The components of the swing arm
vertical swing arm, which has a long spray gun are designed with human‑
range, good atomization, and a wide ization, making disassembly and re‑
coverage range (up to 70 meters un‑ placement easy and convenient. Dai‑
der sufficient pressure). ly maintenance only requires timely
The CRC80 vertical impact irrigation cleaning of the nozzle androcker arm
sprinkler gun has undergone precise to maintain optimal performance of
balancing design and scientific ad‑ the spray gun, significantly reducing flow, which can meet the special wa‑
justment of spring tension to achieve ter requirements of delicate plants and
optimal rotation speed. Whether fac‑ maintenance time and capital costs. avoid damage to plants caused by wa‑
ing large-scale farmlandor complex The unique spraying technology of ter impact, creating an ideal growth
terrain irrigation scenarios, it can op‑ vertical impact irrigation sprinkler environment for plants.
erate stably and significantly improve gun brings uniform and gentle water Circle 29 on enquiry card
20 Vol. 41 No. 6