Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition

Our sub-programme assists national institutions involved in agricultural production in developing countries to use nuclear and related techniques to develop integrated strategies and technologies for improving the efficiency of nutrient and water use by crops within selected cropping systems, while preserving the natural resource base (soil, water, biodiversity, etc.) and protecting the environment. The overall goal of the development and use of these novel technologies is a more profitable and sustainable agriculture, a secured food production and a healthier environment.

Currently the sub-programme is involved in:

• development of integrated plant nutrient and water management practices for increasing soil fertility and crop yields
• development of soil management and conservation practices for sustainable crop production and environmental protection
• identification and development of crop germplasm with superior resource use efficiency and nutritional value and adapted to harsh environments (jointly with the Plant Breeding and Genetics section).
• Optimal use of scarce water resources in cropping systems to prevent wastage and protect the environment

The development and adoption of innovative strategies/technologies by collaborating National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and assistance in formulating and implementing strategic, applied and adaptive research activities underpinning national, regional and global agricultural production objectives is pursued through Research Networks, Technical Co-operation Projects and Training Courses conducted in collaboration with FAO's Land and Water Development Division (AGL), relevant International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) of the CGIAR system and Advanced Research Institutes.

Our activities are supported through research, training and other services from the Soil Science Laboratory at the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory, Seibersdorf and we promote information exchange among national and regional research organizations through symposia, seminars, workshops and expert consultations, and by dissemination of the results of our activities via various types of publications including special issues and papers in national and international journals, manuals, newsletters, databases and others means.