Sino-Japanese Governmental Joint Project JICA

　　Project Title: The Desert Afforestation with Peat Composed of Rotten Mosses

　　Cooperative Organization: Japan Peat Society

　　Project Period: 1997~2000

　　Main results:

　　The result suggests that the effect of greening desert with peat composed of rotten mosses is evident and it is a new measure for desertification control (land degradation). Soil conditioner  is developed and awarded the national invention patent. Pilot experiment has been conducted, which provides broad prospects for the industrial production of peat organic compound fertilizer. Inverted T planting method is presented according to the features of aridity, water deficiency and low fertility. The method helps rhizosphere to be suitable for water retention, fertilizer conservation and increased fertility. Related papers have been recognized by international peers and published in Science in China. The implementation of the method creates a new way for desert greening. Related results have been adopted and quoted by domestic and foreign periodicals. The technology fills in the gap of arid zone research. The outcomes of the project include two monographs, Practice and Mechanism of Making the Deserts Green with Peat Composed of Rotten Mosses and Organic-inorganic Compound Fertilizer and Desertification Control, and more than 30 articles. Peat soil conditioner obtained the national invention patent in 2001 and the research outcomes were awarded the second scientific prize by Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in 2002.

　　A group of top researchers were trained during project implementing and have become key members of desertification control after several years’ work. Japan Peat Society grows and has key members of desertification control. Japanese principal investigator of the project, who always insists on desertification control in Xinjiang, was praised by the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for several times. In 1997, Yasuo Niijima was awarded Chinese Tianshan Mountain Prize of Xinjiang. The research on desert afforestation with peat has been distributed to other regions of the world with different languages through the phone interview by NHK. The technology has been extended from Japan to other countries including Egypt.