Page 208 - Bahrain Gov annual reports (V a)_Neat

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Although Agriculture in Bahrain depends on irrigation, very little is known as regards soil
and water relations and the movement and energy with which water is attracted to soil particles,
and this field requires further investigation to ascertain the “wilting point” and water require­
ments of various crops.
Plants absorb water mainly through the root hairs and if the attraction of the roots for
moisture exceeds moisture stresses, water moves inwards. Wilting usually takes place when the
roots arc no longer able to absorb any appreciable quantities of water and when the transpor-
ation rale exceeds the replacement rate during periods of low humidity, high temperatures and
high winds. From observations in the past year it has been noticed that when water supplies
have been reduced salinity is likely to be increased and plants suffer from water unavailability
when the soil seems to be comparatively moist.
In Bahrain, although the pH is not sufficiently high to injure most crops, plants may be
affected by their inability to assimilate water due to high salt concentrations, the disturbance of
nutrition, metabolism and the alteration of soil structure and permeability. In many low-
lying areas in Bahrain where inadequate drainage has been carried out a further complication is
waterlogging and not only do plants have to contend with poor arealion, and a high water
table for long periods, but also a high concentration of salts.
Crop tolerance to saline conditions covers a very wide field of investigation and many
factors such as soil conditions, stage in the growth of plants when the observations are made,
the position of the salt concentrations in the root zone and climatic conditions have to be taken
into consideration.
For practical purposes in Bahrain it may be assumed that a crop is tolerant to the saline
conditions existing on the Island if it produces a relatively good yield and any crop that merely
exists has no practical value.
Crop Tolerance
Although it is not possible to lay down any hard and fast rules regarding crop tolerance
at present the undermentioned list may serve as a rough guide in the production of crops in
Bahrain.
FRUIT CROPS

Fairly High Moderate Poor
High Tolerance Tolerance Tolerance Tolerance

Date Palm Fig Cape Gooseberry Almond
Grape Custard Apple Apple
Guava Grape Fruit Pear
Pomegranate Lemon Peach
Olive Mango Plum
Orange
Pa paw
Sapota _

MARKET GARDEN CROPS

Beet Asparagus Artichoke Globe Beans
Kale Cantcloupe Cabbage Peas
Sugar Beet Carrot Cauliflower Potatoes
Sweet Corn Lettuce Celery
Onion Egg Plant
Peppers Kohl Rabi
Radish Ladies Fingers
Spinach Mangolds
Sweet Melon Parsley
Tomatoes Pumpkin
Water Melons Sweet Potato
Turnip
Swede