Moisture conservation and utilization in low winter rainfall areas of LDC"s; terminal report

Final contrator evaluation covers the period 6/75-12/80; no methodology is stated. OSU was largely successful in achieving project outputs. The assembly and indexing of 4,700 documents, disseminated through three widely distributed editions of the Bibliography on Dryland Farming and through a computerized bibliographic search system, have substantially increased the availability of literature on dryland agriculture. Information has been made accessible to a wider audience through the sharing of computer tapes with the Consortium for International Development (CID) network. A document delivery system handling requests from developing countries issued 5,000 pages of photocopied material representing 177 items. OSU also took a number of actions to expand dryland training and education such as establishing a practical Master"s program in dryland agriculture; offering a 2-week intensive course on dryland agriculture"s problems and potential; promoting faculty and student participation in an international symposium; financially supporting 14 advanced degree students; and upgrading its experimental facilities at Moro, Oregon. The publication of a state-of-the-art report on dryland agriculture was a major step in developing an institutional research capability. Several information gaps identified in the report became the foci of three mini-grant research projects which produced useful data, including a major finding concerning the effect of chloride on wheat"s susceptibility to disease. Despite a slow start, OSU was increasingly able to conduct advisory activities (e.g., proposal preparation and staff assessments). These activities, along with staff travel and participation in relevant symposia, created linkages with international and domestic institutions, especially with the International Center for Agriculture Research in Dry Areas, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, and with the CID. In fact, OSU"s affiliation with the CID led to its participation in A.I.D. projects to improve agricultural and social conditions in Tunisia and North Yemen.