Authors:
Ovalle, C., J. Aronson, A.D. Alejandro and J. Avendan
Publication Date:
1999
Abstract/Summary:
A synthesis of progress achieved thus far is provided for a 10 – year research and development program aimed at the ecological and economic rehabilitation of agro-ecosystems in the un- irrigated portions of the central valley of Chile’s Mediterranean climate region. We review our data on (1) revised management techniques aimed at restoring the gross superstructure and former levels of diversity and productivity of a mixed espinales formation; (2) selection and utilization of ecotypes of the naturalized annual Medicago polymorpha L. and the N2-fixing microsymbiont Rhizobium meliloti, for gradual improvement of espinal soil fertility; and (3) studies of the outstandingly well adapted and fast growing Canary Island tree Chamaecytisus proliferus (L. fil.) Link ssp. palmensis (Christ) Kunkel (Tagasaste), which along with about three dozen other woody nitrogen – fixing legume and several nonlegume multipurpose trees, was considered to be of potential value for deep soil layer rehabilitation combined with economic improvements.
Resource Type:
Peer-reviewed Article
Source:
Arid Soil Research and Rehabilitation
Link:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/089030699263258