Egypt : biological nitrogen fixation research and technology assessment

After a brief inventory of Egypt"s BNF literature and current BNF research capabilities, a review is made of efforts and operating philosophies of the Ministry of Agriculture, Egyptian universities, and the private sector in extending BNF technology and alternative delivery systems are recommended. Egypt"s need for in-country and out-of-country scientific exchange regarding BNF, and for BNF training, especially at the post-doctoral and post-graduate levels, is outlined. A review of research efforts indicates the need to field test rhizobium-legume, azola-flooded crop, associative nitrogen fixing bacterial, blue-green algae, and Frankia root nodulated non-legume systems. A program to remedy inadequate production of rhizobium inoculant is detailed. BNF activities of the Egyptian Major Cereals Improvement Project (EMCIP) are reviewed, and specific changes in EMCIP"s microbiology program and in the design and equipment of its soil laboratory suggested. Assessment of BNF-related needs in Egypt"s rice program is recommended. A research paper on agrotechnologies based on symbiotic systems that fix nitrogen is appended, along with an annual report of cooperative regional BNF projects.