1
AMNON BUSTAN (BUCHHOLZ)
Curriculum Vitae and List of Publications
Personal Details
Place and Date of Birth:
Address (Work):
Israel, 11 November 1958
The Institutes for Applied Research, Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva
84105, Israel.
Phone: 972-7-6461996. Fax: 972-7-6472984.
E-mail: [email protected]
Address (Home):
15 Kida St., Lehavim 85338, Israel.
Phone: 07-6518468. E-mail: [email protected]
Education
B.Sc. 1981-1983,
Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel.
M.Sc. 1984-1987,
Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, Rehovot, and the ARO, Volcani centre, Israel.
Ph.D. 1991-1996,
Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University
of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. Thesis: “The Availability of
Carbohydrates as a Limiting Factor in Citrus Productivity Simulation Models”.
Employment History
1998 - present
Researcher
Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Institute for Agriculture
and Applied Biology, The Institutes for Applied Research
1996-1997
Postdoctoral research fellow
Institutes for Applied Research, Ben-Gurion University of the
Negev.
1989-1990
"Agis, Pharmaceutical Industries", medical representative.
1987-1989
Roizman, Nir Banim. Farm management.
1984-1986
ARO, Institute of Orchards. Technical field work during M.Sc.
studies.
1984
Weizmann Institute, Dept. Plant Genetics, research assistant.
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Professional Activities
Administrative tasks at the Institutes for Applied Research
1998-1999
Seminar coordinator, Institute for Agriculture and Applied Biology
Other tasks at BGU
2002-present Member of the Committee of the BGU Salinity Center
Significant professional consulting
Manor S, A Bustan. Crop production in arid and semiarid lands. A two weeks
mobile course conducted in Eritrea. Cooperation of MASHAV (Israel
foreign office) and the Ministry of Agriculture of Eritrea, Nov.-Dec. 1997.
Membership in Scientific Committees outside BGU
2001
Israel Ministry of Agriculture Chief Scientist Grant Program
Member of the Scientific Board - Field crops (MOAG)
2002
Israel Ministry of Agriculture Chief Scientist Grant Program
Member of the Scientific Board - Field crops and Fruit trees (MOAG)
2002-3
United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and
Development Fund (BARD)
Member of the Scientific Board, Horticulture
Membership in professional/scientific societies
1994-1998
1998-2000
1998-1999
2000-2003
1995-2000
2002-present
The Israeli Society of Botany
American Society of Horticultural Science
American Society of Plant Physiologists
International Society of Citriculture
International Society for Horticultural Science
American Society of Plant Biologists
Educational Activities
Teaching at BGU
2001-2002
205-2-4681, “Salt Stress in Plants”, dept. of Life Sciences, 3rd year and
graduated students, elective.
Invited Courses
- “Sustainable Orchard Management”, in the frame of collaboration between the
Institute for Agriculture, BGU and Buenos Aires University, February 2002 at BGU.
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Research students
1999-2001,
Ram Assael, M.Sc (jointly supervised with Prof. Pasternak and
Dr. Zaccai).
2000-2003, Bahalul Edna, M.Sc, (jointly supervised with Prof. Mizrahi, Dr.
Sitrit, and Dr. Zaccai).
2002-present, Leon Adrian, M.Sc., (jointly supervised with Prof. Sanchez
(University of Buenos Aires) and Dr. Sitrit).
2003-present, Li Yongfang, PhD, (jointly supervised with Prof. Mizrahi, Dr.
Sitrit, and Dr. Zaccai).
2000-present, Ventura Yvonne, Ph.D (jointly supervised with Prof. RothBejerano, Dr. Zur, and Dr. Mills).
Awards, Citations, Honors, Fellowships
1. 1993 - Rokah Foundation award for research students in citriculture.
2. 1994 - The Baron De Hirsch Foundation, for a 6 weeks visit to UC Davis,
California USA.
Scientific Publications
(A) Refereed Articles in Scientific Journals
Ram A, M Zaccai, D Pasternak, and A Bustan, 2003. Analysis of phenotypic
and genetic polymorphism among accessions of saltgrass (Distichlis
spicata). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution (in press).
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt, 1998. Estimating the cost of flowering in a grapefruit
tree. Plant, Cell & Environment, 21(2): 217-224.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt, 1995. Interactions between developing Citrus
fruit and their supportive vascular system. Annals of Botany 76(6), pp: 657666.
(B) Chapters in Books
Pasternak D, and A Bustan, 2002. The African Market Garden – an integrated
irrigated system for small scale farmers. The Encyclopedia of Water Science,
edited by B.A. Stewart and Terry Howell, Marcel Dekker, Inc. (in press).
Bustan A, M Zaccai, A Ram, and D Pasternak, 2003. Distichlis spicata as a case
study of promising mechanisms of salt resistance in plants. In: H. Lieth and
M. Moschenko (eds.) Cashcrop Halophytes, CA Symposium.
Bustan A and D Pasternak, 2003. The use of saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) as a pioneer
forage crop in salty environments. In: H. Lieth and M. Moschenko (eds.)
Cashcrop Halophytes, CA Symposium.
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(C) Refereed Articles in Proceedings
Heiman A, T Karo, A Bustan, R Neale, EE Goldschmidt, 2002. Fruit quality
perception by growers, retailers and consumers: The case of oranges. Acta
Horticulturae 584, 177-184.
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt, 1999. Examination of ‘hierarchical’ and ‘proportional’
dry matter partitioning models with potted citrus trees. Acta Horticulturae
499: 81-90.
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt, and Y Erner, 1999. Progress in the development of
‘CITROS’ – a dynamic model of citrus productivity. Acta Horticulturae 499:
69-80.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt, 1996. Integrating temperature effects on fruit
growth into a Citrus productivity model. Proceeding International Society of
Citriculture Vol 2: 938-944.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt, 1995. Carbohydrate supply and demand during
fruit development in relation to productivity of grapefruit and ‘Murcott’
mandarin. Acta Horticulturae 416: 81-88.
(D) Submitted Articles
Bustan A., Y Ventura, V Kagan-Zur, and N Roth-Bejerano. Optimizing growth
conditions towards intensive cultivation of the black Perigord truffle (submitted
to J. Horticultural Science & Biotechnology, August 2003).
Bustan A, M Sagi, Y DeMalach, D Pasternak. Irrigation of potato with saline water
under desert conditions. (submitted to Field Crop Research, Nov. 2003).
Cohen S., M Sagi, Y DeMalach, D Pasternak, R Golan, and A Bustan. Frequent
irrigation promotes fruit size and quality in autumn melons grown with
brackish water on sandy soil. (submitted to J Plant Nutrition, Dec. 2003).
Ventura Y., D Mills, V Kagan-Zur, N Roth-Bejerano, and A Bustan. Using
mycorrhized Ri-transformed roots for in vitro inoculation of Cistus incanus
with Tuber melanosporum. (submitted to Plant Cell, Tissue & Organ Culture,
Jan. 2004).
E) Articles in Preparation (research terminated)
Bustan A, S Cohen, M Sagi, and D Pasternak. Use of saline water irrigation to
optimize fruit yield and quality in late summer melons.
Bustan A., S. Cohen, R. Golan, and D. Pasternak. Excess nitrogen fertilization
reduces fruit quality of late summer melons irrigated with saline water.
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Bustan A. Patterns of nitrogen uptake and allocation in late summer melon plants
irrigated with saline water.
Bustan A, A Degen, and D Pasternak. Screening saltgrass accessions for forage
quality.
Bustan A., M Sagi, and D. Pasternak. Screening bermudagrass (Cynodon
dactylon) lines for saline water irrigation.
(F) Published Scientific Reports and Technical Papers
Bustan A, A Degen, and M Durikov (2004). Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) – a new
salt-resistant forage crop for the reclamation of salinized soils. Annual report
for 2003, submitted to AID/CDR/CAR.
Bustan A., S. Cohen, Y. Zvieli, A. Maduel, R. Golan, S. Kremer (2003) Effects of
nitrogen fertilization regime on fruit yield and quality of autumn melon in
north Arava valley. A report submitted to Cucurbitae Board, MOAG (BGUNARI-8-2003, in Hebrew).
Zur V., N. Bejerano, and A. Bustan (2003). Introduction of the black Perigord truffle
(Tuber melanosporum) to Israel. A report submitted to the Chief Scientist of
the Israel Ministry of Agriculture (in Hebrew).
Bustan A, Y Sitrit, and M Zaccai (2002). Isolation and characterization of a family
genes encoding for Na+/H+ antiporters in the roots of the halophyte Distichlis
spicata. A report submitted to the Chief Scientist , MOAG.
Bustan A, A Degen, S Mendlinger, and D Pasternak (2003). Saltgrass (Distichlis
spicata) – a new salt-resistant forage crop for the reclamation of salinized
soils. A report submitted to AID/CDR/CAR (BGUN-ARI-01-2003).
Bustan A and D Pasternak (2003). Irrigation with saline water in the Negev Desert.
Annual report 2001 submitted to the Fohs Foundation of Oregon.
Bustan A, Y Sitrit, and M Zaccai (2002). Isolation and characterization of a family
genes encoding for Na+/H+ antiporters in the roots of the halophyte Distichlis
spicata. A report submitted to the Vice President of BGU (BGUN-ARI-242002).
Bustan A., S. Cohen, D. Pasternak and R. Golan (2002) Effect of nitrogen
fertilization regime on fruit yield and quality of late-summer melons grown in
soilless culture with saline water. A report submitted to Cucurbitae Board,
MOAG (BGUN-ARI-39-2002, in Hebrew).
Zaccai M., R. Shillo, A. Bustan, Y. Sitrit and A. Cohen, 2002. “Improving the
Performance of Flowering Bulbs (Geophytes) by Introducing Genes that
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Regulate Plant Resistance to Heat, Drought and Salinity Stress”. Report to the
Joint Korean-Israeli Research Grant in the Field of Biotechnology.
Zur V., N. Bejerano, and A Bustan (2002). Introduction of the black Perigord truffle
(Tuber melanosporum) to Israel. A report submitted to the Chief Scientist of
the Israel Ministry of Agriculture (in Hebrew).
Bustan A and D Pasternak (2002). Irrigation with saline water in the Negev Desert.
Annual report 2000 submitted to the Fohs Foundation of Oregon (BGUNARI-30-2001).
Zur V., N. Bejerano, and A. Bustan (2001). Introduction of the black Perigord truffle
(Tuber melanosporum) to Israel. A report submitted to the Chief Scientist of
the Israel Ministry of Agriculture (in Hebrew).
Bustan A, H. Klotz, and D. Pasternak. 2000. Examination of Bermuda grass lines
with saline water irrigation (1996-1998). In: Irrigation with Saline Water in
the Negev Desert, Annual Report 1999 submitted to The Fohs Foundation
(BGUN-ARI-14-2000).
Bustan A, A. Reyim, RS Criddle, and D. Pasternak. 2000. Physiological studies of
salt resistance in saltgrass (Distichlis spicata). In: Irrigation with Saline Water
in the Negev Desert, Annual Report 1999 submitted to The Fohs Foundation
(BGUN-ARI-14-2000).
Ram A, M. Zaccai, A Bustan, and D. Pasternak. 2000. Characterization and
molecular fingerprinting of the saltgrass collection. In: Irrigation with Saline
Water in the Negev Desert, Annual Report 1999 submitted to The Fohs
Foundation (BGUN-ARI-14-2000).
Bustan A, T. de Vries, and D. Pasternak. 2000. Patterns of salt resistance among
saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) ecotypes. In: Irrigation with Saline Water in the
Negev Desert, Annual Report 1999 submitted to The Fohs Foundation
(BGUN-ARI-14-2000).
Bustan A, S. Cohen, R. Golan, and D. Pasternak. 2000. Effects of the level of
nitrogen fertilization on fruit yield and quality of autumn-grown melon plants
irrigated with saline water. In: Irrigation with Saline Water in the Negev
Desert, Annual Report 1999 submitted to The Fohs Foundation (BGUN-ARI14-2000).
Zur V., N. Bejerano, and A. Bustan (2000). Introduction of the black Perigord truffle
(Tuber melanosporum) to Israel. A report submitted to the Chief Scientist of
the Israel Ministry of Agriculture (in Hebrew).
Bustan A, H. Dixon, H. Klotz, E. Katz, and D. Pasternak, 1998. New forage crops
irrigated with saline water in the Negev of Israel. In: Irrigation with Saline
Water in the Negev Desert, Annual Report 1998 submitted to The Fohs
Foundation.
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Bustan A, M Sagi, Y DeMal’ach, D Pasternak, 1996. Testing some heat and drought
resistant cultivars of potato under saline water irrigation in Ramat Hanegev.
Negev-Arava Research and Development Reports of 1995-6 (in Hebrew).
Bustan A, M Sagi, S Cohen, R Golan, D Pasternak, 1996. Autumn melon production
under saline water irrigation in Ramat Negev: tests of a trailing system in an
open field. Negev-Arava Research and Development Reports of 1995-6 (in
Hebrew).
Sagi M, A Bustan, S Cohen, R Golan, D Pasternak, 1996. Autumn melon production
under saline water irrigation in Ramat Negev: the effects of timing of saline
water application on fruit yield and quality. Negev-Arava Research and
Development Reports of 1995-6 (in Hebrew).
Siton D, A Bustan, S Cohen, M Sagi, D Pasternak, 1996. Autumn melon production
under saline water irrigation in Ramat Negev: correlations between water
salinity and the sugars content and taste of the fruit melon pulp. Negev-Arava
Research and Development Reports of 1995-6 (in Hebrew).
Bustan A, 1995. Citrus productivity - steps toward a simulation model. A
report submitted to the Citriculture Committee, Israel Ministry of
Agriculture. (in Hebrew).
(G) Non-Refereed Articles
Pasternak D, A Bustan, M Ventura, H Klotz, F Eshetu, and T Mpuisang, 2000. Use
of low-pressure drip irrigation (LPDI) to produce dates in the market gardens
of semi-arid Africa. Proceeding of the International Date Palm Symposium.
Bustan A, E Margalit, EE Goldschmidt, Y Erner, R Goren, N Seligman, 1993. The
influence of lowering the demand for photosynthates on carbon exchange
rates in grapefruit source leaves. Alon Hnotea 47(1): 38-44 (in Hebrew).
(H) Abstracts
Bustan A., Ventura Y, V Kagan-Zur, and N Roth-Bejerano. Optimizing growth
conditions towards intensive cultivation of the black Perigord truffle
(International Conference of Edible Mycorrhitic Mushrooms, August
2003).
Ventura Y, A Bustan, V Kagan-Zur, N Roth-Bejerano, and D Mills, 2003. Using
mycorrhized hairy roots for in vitro inoculation of Cistus incanus with
Tuber melanosporum. (International Conference of Edible Mycorrhitic
Mushrooms, August 2003).
Ventura Y, A Bustan, V Kagan-Zur, N Roth-Bejerano, and D Mills, 2003. Effect
of sugars on in vitro growth of Cistus incanus transformed roots and of
Tuber melanosporum mycelium. ICOM4, Montreal, Canada.
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Ventura Y, V Kagan-Zur, A Bustan, D Mills, and N Roth-Bejerano, 2002. In vitro
mycorrhization of Cistus incanus seedlings by Tuber melanosporum
mycelium. ICOM3, Oslo, August 2002.
Bustan A. Development of Citrus Productivity Models (1977-2000): A Review.
Proceedings of the Ninth ISC, December 2000.
Bustan A., S. Cohen, R. Golan, and D. Pasternak, 2000. Effects of nitrogen
fertilization and saline water irrigation on melon plants at desert conditions in
soilless culture. World Congress on Soilless Culture on ‘Agriculture in the
Coming Millenium. Maale Hahamisha, Israel, May 2000.
Bustan A, M Zaccai, A Ram, and D Pasternak, 2000. Distichlis spicata as a case
study of promising mechanisms of salt resistance in plants. Cashcrop
Halophytes, CA Symposium, Germany, May 2000.
Bustan A and D Pasternak, 2000. The use of saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) as a pioneer
forage crop in salty environments. Cashcrop Halophytes, CA Symposium,
Germany, May 2000.
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt. Examination of ‘hierarchical’ and ‘proportional’ dry
matter partitioning models with potted citrus trees. 5th International
Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard
Management, Wageningen, Holland, Aug. 1998.
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt, and Y Erner. Progress in the development of ‘CITROS’ –
a dynamic model of citrus productivity. 5th International Symposium on
Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management,
Wageningen, Holland, Aug. 1998.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt, 1996. Integrating temperature effects on fruit
growth into a Citrus productivity model. International Society of Citriculture.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt. Carbohydrate supply and demand during fruit
development in relation to productivity of grapefruit and ‘Murcott’ mandarin.
4th International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and
Orchard Management, Avignon, France (INRA), Sep. 1995.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt. Testing carbon partitioning models with potgrown, fruiting calamondin trees. The International Conference on the
Transport of Photoassimilates, Canterbury, Kent, UK, Aug. 1995. Journal of
Experimental Botany 47: 1319.
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt. Fruit-pedicel interactions: does transport limit
fruit growth? The International Conference on the Transport of
Photoassimilates, Canterbury, Kent, UK, Aug. 1995 Journal of Experimental
Botany 47: 1319.
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Bustan A, E Margalit, EE Goldschmidt, Y Erner, R Goren, N Seligman, 1992.
Effects of source-sink ratio on carbohydrate level and photosynthesis in Citrus
source leaves. Plant Physiology 99(1): 144 (Abst. 857).
Blumenfeld A, A Bustan (Buchholz), Y Erner, 1989. Sink-source relationships in the
partitioning of carbohydrates in Avocado. ISGS International Symp. on the
Culture of Subtropical and Tropical Fruits and Crops, Nelspruit, November
1987. (Working Abst. 116).
Lectures and Presentations
Invited plenary lectures at conferences/meetings
Bustan A., Ventura Y, V Kagan-Zur, and N Roth-Bejerano. Optimizing growth
conditions towards intensive cultivation of the black Perigord truffle.
International Conference of Edible Mycorrhitic Mushrooms, August 2003.
Bustan A. Principles of Irrigation: From rain-fed agriculture to Low Pressure Drip
Irrigation. A lecture given in the IPALAC international workshop, September
2001, Beer Sheva.
Bustan A. Development of Citrus Productivity Models (1977-2000): A Review.
Proceedings of the Ninth ISC, December 2000.
Bustan A., S. Cohen, R. Golan, and D. Pasternak, 2000. Effects of nitrogen
fertilization and saline water irrigation on melon plants at desert conditions in
soilless culture. World Congress on Soilless Culture on ‘Agriculture in the
Coming Millenium. Maale Hahamisha, Israel, May 2000.
Bustan A, M Zaccai, A Ram, and D Pasternak, 2000. Distichlis spicata as a case
study of promising mechanisms of salt resistance in plants. Symposium on
“Cashcrop Halophytes: Potentials, Pilot Projects, Basic and Applied Research
on Halophytes and Saline Irrigation. Osnabruek, Germany, May 28-June 4,
2000.
Bustan A and D Pasternak, 2000. The use of saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) as a
pioneer forage crop in salty environments. Symposium on “Cashcrop
Halophytes: Potentials, Pilot Projects, Basic and Applied Research on
Halophytes and Saline Irrigation. Osnabruek, Germany, May 28-June 4, 2000.
Presentation of papers at conferences/meetings
Bustan A. Salinity problems in agriculture. A lecture given in the international course
for agriculture in arid land, conducted by The Institutes of Applied Research
and MASHAV in Beer Sheva, Nov. 1999.
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Bustan A. Salinity problems in agriculture. A lecture given in the international course
for agriculture in arid land, conducted by The Institutes of Applied Research
and MASHAV in Beer Sheva, Nov. 1998.
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt. Examination of ‘hierarchical’ and ‘proportional’ dry
matter partitioning models with potted citrus trees. 5th International
Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard
Management, Wageningen, Holland, Aug. 1998. (An oral presentation).
Bustan A, EE Goldschmidt, and Y Erner. Progress in the development of ‘CITROS’ –
a dynamic model of citrus productivity. 5th International Symposium on
Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and Orchard Management,
Wageningen, Holland, Aug. 1998. (An oral presentation).
Bustan A, D Pasternak, M Sagi, Y DeMal’ach. Spring potato production, irrigated with
saline water in Ramat Negev. Professional Potato Panel, Israel Ministry of
Agriculture, Ma‘ale Hahamisha, Israel, Dec. 1997 (An oral presentation).
Bustan A. Salinity problems in agriculture. A lecture given in the international course
for agriculture in arid lands, conducted by The Institutes of Applied Research
and MASHAV in Beer Sheva, Nov. 1997.
Bustan A, D Pasternak, S Cohen, M Sagi, R Golan. Autumn melon production in
Ramat Negev: (a) the effects of timing of saline water application on yield and
quality. (b) trailing system for open field melon. Melon Professional Panel,
Israel Ministry of Agriculture, Tel-Aviv, Israel, Sep. 1997 (An oral
presentation).
Bustan A, D Pasternak, M Sagi, Y DeMal’ach. Spring potato production, irrigated with
saline water in Ramat Negev. Potato Professional Panel, Israel Ministry of
Agriculture, Ma‘ale Hahamisha, Israel, Nov. 1996 (An oral presentation).
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt. Carbohydrate supply and demand during fruit
development in relation to productivity of grapefruit and ‘Murcott’ mandarin.
4th International Symposium on Computer Modelling in Fruit Research and
Orchard Management, Avignon, France (INRA), Sep. 1995. (An oral
presentation).
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt. (a) Testing carbon partitioning models with potgrown, fruiting calamondin trees. (b) Fruit-pedicel interactions: does transport
limit fruit growth? The International Conference on the Transport of
Photoassimilates, Canterbury, Kent, UK, Aug. 1995 (Posters).
Bustan A, Y Erner, EE Goldschmidt. Interactions between the vascular system and
fruit growth in grapefruit. The Israeli Society of Botany, Rehovot, Israel, Feb.
1994 (An oral presentation).
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Seminar presentations at universities and institutions
1996 The Institutes for Applied Research, BGU
1997 The Institutes for Applied Research, BGU
1999 Annual Meeting of Israel Potato Growers, kibbutz Erez.
2000 R&D Ramat Negev
2001 Gilat Station, ARO
Research Grants (Principal Investigator is underlined)
2003-4
Authority for Negev Development & Ministry of Absorption.
Y Anatoly, A Bustan, R Ofenbach, A Bartal, S Cohen. Growth medium
cooling system in sweet pepper grown in the Arava (24000$/year, R&D
Arava).
2003
Chief Scientist, Ministry of Agriculture, Market Oriented Research
Fund. A Bustan, V Kagan-Zur, N Roth-Bejerano.
Introduction of Black Truffle to Israel (35000$, last year of funding).
2002
Vegetable Board, Ministry of Agriculture, A Bustan, Y Zvieli, R
Ofenbach. Nitrogen fertilization regime for late summer melons.
(3500$/year, R&D Arava).
2002-2005
Chief Scientist, Ministry of Agriculture
A Bustan, Y. Sitrit, and M. Zaccai
Isolation, Characterization and Localization of a Gene Family
Encoding for Na+/H+ Antiporters in the Roots of the Halophyte
Ditichlis spicata. (35,000$/year, total 105,000$)
2002
Desert Agriculture Program, Collaboration between Univ. of Buenos
Aires, Argentina, and BGU, Israel. S. Mendlinger, A Bustan, Y Sitrit,
M Zaccai. (4000$/year).
2002
Vegetable Board, Ministry of Agriculture, A Bustan
Nitrogen fertilization regime for late summer melons. (3500$/year).
2001-2004
AID/CDR/CAR. A Bustan, S Mendlinger, A Degen, M Durikov
(Turkmen PI). Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata: a new forage crop for saline
environments (24000$/year for Israeli side, total budget: 150000$).
2001-2002
Seed money from BGU for German Israel Fundation (GIF) high
ranking. Y. Sitrit, A Bustan and M. Zaccai
Isolation, Characterization and Localization of a Gene Family
Encoding for Na+/H+ Antiporters in the Roots of the Halophyte
Ditichlis spicata. (total 10,000$)
2001
Vegetable Board, Ministry of Agriculture. A Bustan
Nitrogen fertilization regime for late summer melons. (3500$/year).
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2000-2002
Joint Korean-Israeli Research Grant in the Field of Plant
Biotechnology, Ministry of Science.
M. Zaccai, A. Bustan, Y. Sitrit, Y-P. Lim (Korean PI)
Improving the Performance of Flowering Bulbs (Geophytes) by
Introducing Genes that Regulate Plant Resistance to Heat, Drought and
Salinity Stress (23,500$/year, total 47,000$)
1998-2002
Chief Scientist, Ministry of Agriculture, Market Oriented Research
Fund. A Bustan*, V Kagan-Zur, N Roth-Bejerano.
Introduction of Black Truffle to Israel (45000$/year) (*PI from 2001).
1997-2001
Fohs Foundation of Oregon. D Pasternak and A Bustan*.
Irrigation with saline water in the Negev desert. (116000$/year) (*PI
during the last two years).
SYNOPSIS OF RESEARCH AND PRESENT ACTIVITIES
1984-1986 (M.Sc.): Avocado orchards in Israel had low yields as compared to other
fruit tree species and to the assumed potential productivity. Insufficient
pollination was found to be only partial cause of low yields. Fruit drop during
early stages of fruit development appeared to be of more significance. It was
suggested that fruit drop was associated with young vegetative growth and that
competition for carbohydrate could account for that fruit drop. In my M.Sc.
studies (Supervised by Blumenfeld, ARO), we determined the accurate
synchronization between fruit development and vegetative growth among
various cultivars. Using radioactive probes we analyzed the partitioning of
currently assimilated carbon between young fruit and leaves. Our conclusions
were that whether competition between young leaves and fruit did occur,
carbohydrate was not the direct subject.
1990-1996 (Ph.D.): Dry matter production and allocation was again at the focus of my
Ph.D. research (Supervised by Prof. Goldschmidt, HUJI). In order to conduct
broad and deep analyses of the factors that limit citrus (and other evergreen
fruit trees) productivity we constructed a dynamic computer model.
Physiological studies were undertaken to determine the major parameters of the
model as realistic as possible. Models of citrus tree photosynthesis were already
available at that time, but we had to modify them to the arid/semiarid climate
of Israel. Feedback inhibition of photosynthesis was found to limit dry matter
production when demand for carbohydrate declined. In the modeling work, we
concentrated on the estimates of carbohydrate demands by the reproductive
organs. The significance of carbohydrate demands during bloom was
determined. A new method was suggested to improve the integration of
temperature effects on fruit growth, effective heat units (EHU). That method
allowed more accurate estimates of carbon demand by the citrus fruit during its
development and thus improving our understanding of the confrontation
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between overall carbohydrate reproductive demands with the current supplies.
Transport limitations were shown to be a considerable parameter during the
period when fruit number was determined. Although not included yet in the
productivity model, different approaches of dry matter allocation among
various organs were analyzed. This may be of significant importance for the
understanding of carbon allocation modes in plants.
1996-1997 (postdoc): In the Institutes for Applied Research, BGU, I joined Prof.
Pasternak and my research subjects shifted into salinity problems in agriculture.
Naturally, the aspect of dry matter production and allocation and the effects of
salt stress on that important parameter still had much interest. The accelerating
scarcity of fresh water on one hand, and the high availability of saline water in
the Negev desert of Israel on the other hand, promoted intensive research
efforts to test the use of saline water for irrigation among large number of
crops. The development of appropriate agricultural methods to overcome
problems associated with salinity was required as well.
1996-1997: We investigated the response of various potato cultivars to increased
levels of salinity in irrigation water. That research had been started on 1992,
however, results of 3 years of experiments were ambiguous. On one hand, it
was confirmed that in principal, potato could be grown with saline water
irrigation on sandy soil. On the other hand, yields severely fluctuated among
years. In years 1996-7, we could demonstrate that successful production of
potato irrigated with saline water negatively correlated with the frequency and
severity heat wave events during the stage of intensive tuber development (6080 days after emergence). In this research, we have provided the knowledge
required for the present winter and spring production of regular and
"baby potatoes", which increases every year in west Negev desert using
saline water irrigation. (Cooperation with Pasternak, DeMal’ach, and Sagi.
Supported by the Fohs Foundation of Oregon).
1996: Irrigation with saline water and other environmental parameters brought about
significantly high fruit quality, hence high prices in export markets. Therefore,
late summer production of melon in Ramat Negev has increased rapidly in
recent 8 years. However, when irrigated with saline water, yields declined. In
order to compensate fruit quality and yield, timing combinations of fresh and
saline water irrigation were examined. It was concluded that the combination of
fresh water irrigation until bloom and saline water irrigation from bloom to
harvest resulted in good fruit quality as well as considerable yields.
(Cooperation with Pasternak, Cohen, Sagi, and Golan).
1996-1998: Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is a well-known forage crop in USA.
It is also known for its relative salt resistance, however, the response of yield
and quality of certain improved genotypes to increased levels of salinity had
never been tested. Six varieties of bermudagrass were grown in Ramat Negev
under salinity gradient of irrigation water. Salinity threshold of most varieties
was at about 8 dS·m-1. Varieties differed significantly in basic parameters of
yield and quality. It was concluded that Tifton 68 and Tifton 85 produce forage
of high yield and quality and therefore, can be cultivated successfully with
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saline water irrigation at desert conditions. These results still require economic
evaluation. (Cooperation with Pasternak and Sagi. Supported by the Fohs
Foundation of Oregon).
Activities since 1998
Saltgrass
Salinity has become a worldwide problem of agriculture, due to soil salinization and
lack of fresh water. The future agricultural environment is expected to be more saline
while the majority of crop species are salt sensitive. Salt resistant plant species
(halophytes) are the ultimate genetic source for the improvement of salt resistance
among crop species. This can be achieved by: 1) domestication of wild plant species to
become new crop plants; 2) use of classic breeding methods among related wild and
domestic plant species; and 3) use of molecular methods to identify and isolate genes
encoding for salt resistance in halophytes and to transfer them to domestic crop plants.
Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) is an American halophytic grass, which is a first choice
candidate to be used either for domestication as a forage crop or as a source of genes
for salt resistance. Together with Prof. Pasternak we established a collection of
ecotypes from many sites in North and South America (Supported by the Fohs
Foundation of Oregon).
1998-present: This collection enables us to select and breed saltgrass types suitable as
a pioneer forage crop in the reclamation procedure of salty soils, such as in the
proposed project in Turkmenistan (funded by AID/CDR/CAR). The collection
is screened for genotypes displaying both considerable growth rate and forage
quality at various salinity levels (refs. B2, B3). (Cooperation with Pasternak,
Mendlinger, and Degen. Supported by the Fohs Foundation of Oregon).
1999-2002: Using RAPD, we investigated the genetic distance among genotypes and
populations of saltgrass (from our collection). We tested the relation between
genetic and geographic distances (ref. A1). This characterization of our
saltgrass collection will enable future decisions regarding selection, breeding,
and extension of the collection. (Cooperation with Zaccai and M.Sc. student
Ram Asael. Funded by the Fohs Foundation of Oregon.
2000-present: Since saltgrass displays impressive capacity for salt avoidance and
since evidence exist for salt extrusion mechanisms in the roots as responsible
for a large portion of that salt avoidance, we have suggested to isolate and
identify the relevant genes. Together with Sitrit and Zaccai (funded by Joint
Korean-Israeli Research Grant), early steps were made and we obtained
molecular evidence for the occurrence and activity of such genes. We expect to
complete this year (2003-4) the cloning of the gene. We plan to test the
expression of the gene in transformed crop species, aiming at creating saltresistant lines of vegetables (tomato), cereals (rice) and to develop salt-resistant
rootstocks for relevant fruit tree species. Although no publications have yet
emerged from this research, it carries a considerable potential for patented
genes and other products with high economical values in the near future. (This
project is currently supported by the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of
Agriculture. Additional funding has been requested this year from BARD).
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Black Perigord truffles
1998-present: The introduction of the black Perigord truffle to Israel is of great
economic and scientific challenge. I joined the research group of Dr. Zur and
Prof. Bejerano to assist in the agricultural aspects of the project. Our general
goal is to develop an intensified agricultural system that hopefully will provide
relatively high truffle yield within shorter time. The scientific objectives were
1) to find efficient and inexpensive inoculation technique; 2) to determine and
provide optimum environmental conditions for simultaneous sufficient growth
and development of the host plant and rapid development and maintenance of
the mycorrhiza; and 3) to identify the trigger for fruit-bodies induction,
initiation, and development. At present, we have successfully obtained
objective #2: our system is comprised of large size host plants strongly
mycorrhized with Tuber melanosporum, ready for carpophore induction signals
(ref. D2). We expect that whenever proved efficient and ready-to-use, the
intensified system will result in a breakthrough in the global truffle production,
of which pioneers will gain most benefits. The project is supported by MOAG
until March 2004. Much progress has been also achieved in developing in vitro
technique to inoculate cistus plantlets with T. melanosporum. At present we
are negotiating with investors from the private sector to precede further
research (in BGU) and to establish a pilot plant to evaluate economical
feasibility of our intensified production system for the black Perigord
truffles.
Controlled Rhizosphere temperature
2003-present: Land and water resources limit the expansion of agriculture in the
Central Arava Valley. Soilless culture and recycled irrigation water can be the
technological solution to those problems. On top of that, better control of
environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity) can extend the
growing season and improve produce yield and quality. Rhizosphere
temperature appears to be very high (>32ºC) during summer. We hypothesize
that reducing that temperature by about 10ºC will improve plant performance,
yield and quality. We have planned and built a cooling system based on the
recycling irrigation water. This system is currently examined on sweet pepper.
If examinations prove to be satisfactory (from horticultural and economical
aspects), the system will be adjusted for farmers' scale and will be tested in
other vegetable and ornamental crops in the Arava (First year supported by
MOAG and Arava R&D).
LPDI
2000-2001: Low pressure drip irrigation (LPDI) is an innovative method that allows
the use of drip irrigation with its advantages without the need for expensive
auxiliary equipment. Therefore, LPDI can open new horizons for third world
farmers who have not yet practiced drip irrigation due to its high cost. Together
with Prof. Pasternak, we investigated the feasibility of LPDI in lettuce and
maize grown on local fine-texture and sandy soils. We followed water and salt
distribution in the soil profile at three different irrigation regimes. Results
indicate that LPDI was at least equal to the conventional irrigation method.
This project is no longer supported in Israel. However, the distribution and
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assimilation of that technology has been recognized by UN and World Bank as
of high priority for combating famine in Africa and is heavily supported
accordingly (ref B1).
Stabilizing melon fruit quality
1999-present: It has been suggested that nitrogen fertilization practices should be
modified to further improve fruit quality and to optimize the use of fertilizers.
After three subsequent years of experiments, we can conclude that nitrogen
fertilization should take place only during the vegetative phase of the autumn
melon production. Continuous nitrogen fertilization during the reproductive
phase resulted in decrease in important parameters of fruit quality. This
research was transferred a year ago to open field experimental work in the
Arava valley. In addition to improved fruit quality, the outcome of this research
may have important environmental consequences, as a result of the significant
reduction in fertilizer inputs (Cooperation with Cohen, Zvieli, and Golan.
Supported by the Fohs Foundation of Oregon and the Vegetable Board,
MOAG).