The influence of precipitation regime on the management of three-course crop rotations in northern Syria

Abstract

In the 350–600 mm seasonal rainfall ecological zone in northern Syria three-course rotations are commonly practised under rainfed conditions. The precipitation regimes at three sites in this ecological zone have been examined. These have been shown to exercise a powerful influence on crop management, and an enhanced understanding of the effect of precipitation on crop productivity would therefore assist in the development of improved strategies of agronomic and rotational management. Considerable variability has been demonstrated in characteristic elements of the precipitation regime at the selected sites and this has indicated the unsoundnesa of applying general management recommendations to the ecological zone as a whole.