Research partnership in the field of sustainable agricultural practices which aim to reduce the excessive use of chemicals

The National Agricultural Research Center in Amman Jordan is a governmental institute conducting research on dry lands and water harvesting for sustainable management. Besides we are working on control slow released natural fertilizers using Carbon nanoparticles such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).

Revolutionizing Carbon Management: Homegarden Permaculture with Compost-Volcanic Tuff integrated with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the Jordan Valley
Dr. Riyad Al-Sharif, Dr Ayman Ayesh
Dept. of water and soil- The National Agricultural Research Center (NARC).

The implementation of permaculture practices in the sandy loamy soils of the Jordan Valley offers both opportunities and challenges. Despite their low water and nutrient retention capacity, sandy soils boast attributes like good drainage and aeration that can be leveraged for sustainable land management. Introducing a homegarden permaculture system holds great potential for addressing soil carbon dynamics and CO2 emissions in this region. Characterized by diverse plant species arranged in layered structures, homegardens create hubs of biodiversity and resilience. By integrating nitrogen-fixing legumes, perennial crops, and agroforestry techniques, these systems can boost soil fertility, augment carbon inputs, and facilitate natural carbon sequestration processes through the proposed integrated system. This unique landscapes not only secure food sources and livelihoods but also act as dynamic laboratories for sustainable agriculture and carbon management. In this study, a composite constructed from compost from animal manure-volcanic tuff-multiwalled Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) will be integrated into a newly established permaculture system featuring subtropical trees and shrubs in the Jordan Valley. As a result of its slow dynamic release, organic matter from composted animal manure tends to become immobilized in the soil. This occurs as microorganisms in the soil consume carbon to build their microbial biomass. The nitrogen content immobilized in the microbial biomass will subsequently be released into the soil following the breakdown of these microorganisms. As expected, compost animal manure-volcanic tuff system together with addition of MWCNTs will support the slow nutrient release dynamics in soil media. Due to its unique randomly distributed porous structure, volcanic tuff can serve as an environmental matrix that ensures a strong affinity to capture essential nutrients from added compost and retain them close to the root zone. It can improve soil structure, water retention and aeration. As received MWCNTs will be functionalized using nitric acid to form negatively charged carboxylic acid on carbon surfaces. negatively charged nano-nutrient, as aresult such system will bind NH4 release after mineralization of organic matter, renders low (N-min) availability in soil profile, which is susceptible to get leached within the soil profile.
The carbon budget inventory will be quantitatively analyzed by both direct experimental measurements and calculations to investigate soil carbon stock buildup at different depths, while CO2 e-flux will be calculated using an Infra-Red Gas Analyzer Gas Chamber (IRGA-gas analyzer). By employing these methodologies, we aim to better understand and harness the potential of permaculture systems for carbon sequestration and soil health restoration in arid environments with a minimum CO2 emission levels. Through such endeavors, we strive to pave the way for sustainable and resilient ecosystems that benefit both present and future generations.

Permaculture, Sandy loamy soils, Homegarden, Carbon dynamics, CO2 emissions, Resilience, Carbon, Volcanic tuff, Multiwalled Carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs).

Nano-nutrient
NH4 release
N-min availability
Carbon budget inventory
CO2 e-flux
Infra-Red Gas Analyzer Gas Chamber (IRGA-gas analyzer)
Soil carbon stock

We are looking forward to intergrade the introduction of fish and Azola sppin to the water ponds used in irrigation to contribute to high quality of irrigated water.
We are looking to hear a kind response from your side.