26
education
SPOTLIGHT
SUNDAY,
SUNday,JULY
june18,
6, 2010
A study on building greenhouses
While aspiring to find effective
ways to avoid present defects,
the first phase of the project has
been completed. Work is under
way on the second
D
M
any agricultural landowners in the Sultanate of Oman resort to building protected
houses to grow several kinds of vegetables
and fruits. This technology, which is currently used on
a large scale in the Sultanate, suits Oman’s dry climate
where the amount of arid land is increasing due to desertification.
The Sultanate, like other countries in the Arabian
Peninsula, is located in an arid part of the globe, where
it is warm and sunny in winter and very hot in summer, with varying degrees of humidity, from very humid in the coastal areas to dry in the interior regions.
Accordingly, water supply is scarce in Oman because
the rainfall is low, erratic, and undependable (100 mm/
yr). Therefore, the use of protected plastic or shaded
houses has become very important to Omani farmers
in order to increase crop production. In these so-called
greenhouses, the farmer can better control the amount
of water used, the internal cooling system, and pests
and crop disease.
The number of greenhouses has strikingly increased
in the last 10 years to cover a total area of 42 hectares
mostly in the Al Batinah region. Yet the problem with
these plastic houses currently used in the Sultanate is
that they have been imported from cold climate countries. This is why Dr Yaseen bin Ahmad bin Ishmael al
Mula, from the Department of Soils, Water, and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Agriculture and
Marine Sciences, has produced a design for protected
houses which suits the Sultanate’s climatic conditions
and is thought to be of a better quality than those currently used. The first phase of his study has been completed and work is under way on the second.
Dr Al Mula elaborates on this issue by saying that
because of the Sultanate’s climatic conditions, there is
a scarcity of groundwater which is exacerbated by excessive extraction. This is especially so in the Al Batinah region, the largest agricultural area in the Sultanate
where the use of protected agricultural houses, plastic
and shaded, has become a crucial issue for increasing
crop production. This can be achieved through control
of the amount of water used, control of internal cooling
systems, and of pests and disease.
Dr Al Mula goes on to say that there are different
kinds of agricultural greenhouses, but the single span
Quonset, which comes like a tunnel covered from all
sides with ventilators and cooling pads is the one most
used in Oman. It is covered by a layer of polyethylene plastic (200 microns) with a length of 38 metres,
a width of 9 metres, a height of 3 metres, and a single
door.
Double-span seawater greenhouse
used through modification of their structures to suit
Oman’s environmental and climatic conditions.
Dr Al Mula adds that phase 1 of this project includes
the study of the existing literature on greenhouse types
and design options, contrasting evaporative cooling
and shades (cover materials) on climatic variables and
crop production. The first phase also focuses on the
study of structure modifications, and the inclusion of
other cooling systems used in the Arabian Peninsula
and other regions with similar environmental conditions.
Workshop
A workshop on the Design and Construction of
Greenhouses for Arid Regions was conducted at SQU.
It included experts from the Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering and the Ministry of
Agriculture in addition to internationally recognised
experts in this field from Greece and India. The workshop resulted in useful recommendations related to
greenhouse design.
While searching for the best cover material to be
used in a greenhouse in Phase 1 of the project, it was
observed that farmers in Oman have already started to
use so-called screenhouses, which are protected agricultural structures (PA) covered by pest-proof screens,
using natural air cooling system.
This followed positive results achieved by the Ministry of Agriculture research on this kind of screenhouse, where it was found that its yield of cucumber,
for instance, was 40 per
cent higher than the
yield of greenhousegrown cucumber in the
same season. This advantage increased the
number of constructed
screenhouses in Oman
by 24 per cent during a
single year: 2006-2007.
Nevertheless, greenhouses are still needed
Dr Yaseen
in arid regions, including Oman, especially in
very hot periods between April and October. Hence,
there are three main types of PA structures currently
used in the Sultanate: single-span greenhouses, double-span greenhouses, and screenhouses.
Scarcity of studies
Dr Al Mula goes on to say that one of the most significant findings in Phase 1 of the project was the scarcity of global research on screenhouse PA structures.
Based on this finding, some goals of Phase 1 of the
project were modified to concentrate on this type of PA
structure in order to explore its biophysical characteristics. Experiments were conducted in co-operation with
the Ministry of Agriculture at the ministry’s research
station in Al Rumais to monitor climatic variables and
to examine their effects on cucumber crop production
inside and outside a single-span Quonset type screenhouse.
The effects of different types of soilless culture
systems on crop production were also investigated in
the same screenhouse PA structure. The results of this
experiment showed that there is a need for more intensive investigation of this matter in this regard to answer questions arising from the experimental findings
in addition to determining the heat transfer modelling
parameters of a screenhouse.
Dr Al Mula goes on to say that crop water requirements, crop production in a conventional greenhouse,
and a new PA structure named a seawater greenhouse
were experimented on during Phase 1 of the project.
It is important to notice that these are two different
greenhouses in terms of structure. The first is a singlespan Quonset type while the latter is a double-span
arch model. In addition, the first uses fresh water for
its cooling system while the second uses seawater for
the same purpose. This part of the project was pursued
through the supervision of a Master’s degree thesis
completed by an employee of the College of Agriculture and Marine Sciences at SQU.
Another study in Phase 1 of the project was conducted with the aim of enhancing the condensation
system used in the seawater greenhouse in order to
increase fresh water production through desalinating
the seawater used in the cooling system of this type
of greenhouse. This study was conducted as part of a
PhD dissertation undertaken by a student from Chlef
University in Algeria. This was a collaborative effort
between the College of Engineering at SQU and Chlef
University in Algeria.
Findings
Dr Al Mula adds that, based on the findings of Phase
1, and for the purpose of achieving the main objective
of the project, the second phase of the project started at
the beginning of 2009 in which the heat transfer modelling parameters inside greenhouses and screenhouses
will be calibrated and then validated. There is need to
conduct more experiments after adding the required
design modifications to work on a preliminary cost
benefit analysis of materials for modified PA structures
and to compare their performance with those currently
used.
Dr Al Mula concludes by thanking Sultan Qaboos
University for supporting and financing this project
and for the continuous support of the College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences. He also thanks his colleagues Mohammed Issa al Balushi and Hamad Ali al
Busaidy, from the Department of Soils, Water and Agricultural Engineering in the College, and employees
at SQU’s Agricultural Experimental Station for their
ceaseless efforts in the project. Finally, he expresses
his appreciation for the co-operation of the Ministry
of Agriculture, (especially of Dr Ahmed al Bakri and
Eng Muther al Rawahi) and for all who contributed to
this project.
Observations
Dr Al Mula, and other GCC experts on the same
subject, have found that most greenhouses currently
used in Oman and neighbouring GCC countries are
imported from European countries where the climate
and environmental conditions are very different and
sometimes opposite (wet and cold) to Omani conditions (dry and hot). This has prompted these researchers to redouble their efforts to increase the cooling and
production efficiency of the greenhouses.
They have concluded that it is of great necessity to
design greenhouses that cope with local environmental
conditions. Other research papers have focused on the
problem of crop infestation by pests in current greenhouses which has caused a major concern about their
design and structure.
Moreover, it has been noticed that two thirds of the
water used in the greenhouses goes to the cooling system while the remaining one third is used in their internal irrigation system. This explains the use of fresh
water, scarce in Oman, in the cooling systems of the
current greenhouses. Hence, there is a need to increase
the production efficiency of the greenhouses currently
An experiment on cucumber
The Humanities Research Centre
The humanities research centre
is the newest research centres
at SQU. Its work includes
examining heritage manuscripts
and publishing research on the
humanities in general
T
he Humanities Research Centre (HRC) is
the latest centre to be launched at SQU and,
as its name suggests, it deals with research
in the humanities. Like existing centres, it aims to
support SQU scholars in their efforts to upgrade
the academic and research position of the university both regionally and internationally. It began to
operate in the Spring of 2010.
Professor Farouq O Fawzi, the HRC’s director, believes that the centre’s importance is made
manifest in the decree of its establishment which
states: “The rapid and turbulent global challenges
which affect the Sultanate’s infrastructure, necessitating adjustments to its economy, social life,
education and commercial and business practices
have produced a pressing need for the development of effective responses and policies to assist
decision-makers in every sphere of Omani life. It
was stipulated in the guiding pronouncements of
His Majesty Sultan Qaboos that SQU should become a powerhouse of ideas and expertise to meet
Oxidative
stress and
autism
the rising expectations of Omani citizens and respond to the demands of public and private institutions.” Professor Fawzi goes on to say that the centre aspires to create bridges of co-operation among
the different disciplines in the humanities and to
achieve a position of excellence both regionally
and internationally.
Professor Fawzi says that the HRC has already
established an organisational structure to serve its
research policy. It comes under the office of the
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies
and Research and includes two committees, one for
consultations and the other for research and activities.
The main function of the first committee is to
supervise the centre’s general policies and plans.
The second committee advises the director on matters related to the centre’s research activities. The
Importance of HRC in society
Professor Farouq
Fawzi, Director
T
he importance of
the Humanities Research Centre stems
from the significance of human sciences and their role
in society in their several
fields: the social, economic,
administrative, educational
and legal. Human sciences,
for all nations, have a special
position because it introduces
to the roots and causes of the
problems we face and offer
their solutions. Moreover, the
function of these sciences is
to lead new generations into
the values, ideals and positive standards which contribute to the formation of an
individual’s normal personality, and, through it, the whole
society.
The objective of sociologists, economists, and educationists, for example, is to
emphasise the positive work
values and downplay the
negative practices so they
can participate in creating effective behavioural patterns
in their societies which the
young generations can take
as models.
The most significant function of human sciences as a
whole is to prepare the individual to live in a dynamic
present which will lead into
a better future. Such function
will only be carried out by
human scientists because the
social worker, the economist
and the educationist belong
to a people and, thus, their
loyalty to that people will
equal their loyalty to truth
and humanity.
Each has the responsibility to enlighten his people of
the impediments which face
their advancement and offer
their solutions, and by doing
this, he/she will help in creating and maintaining the positive personality which is the
core factor in the prosperity
of their communities.
This goal will be achieved
through the guidance and
constants of human sciences
because they represent a
record of human experiences
in all fields. It was once said
that if you do not understand
the age you live in, you will
become its victim.
SQU’s decree to establish the HRC is an emphatic
evidence of the pressing need
for such a centre as it points
out to the global challenges
which face Oman in all walks
of life and the need to find out
solutions for them, as it was
stressed in the guiding pronouncements of His Majesty
to make SQU a powerhouse
of experience to meet the increasing expectations of citizens and respond to the needs
of different institutions.
One of the present responsibilities of SQU is to
support research centres to
be able to perform efficiently
and become the institution’s
research front, without, of
course underestimating the
role of its academic departments. This will enable these
centres to establish research
partnerships with similar institutions.
We need to emphasise that
supporting research in the
humanities is of multi benefits because it does not only
enrich knowledge in these
subjects, but helps to create a research culture which
will spread awareness of the
importance of human sciences in society. Therefore,
conducive environment must
be provided to the centre’s
potential researchers to maintain their research activities.
r Mustafa I Wali,
Assistant Professor
in the Department of
Food Sciences and Nutrition
at SQU’s College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences is
conducting research on the
biological and nutritional
causes of autism by first assessing statistics of its occurrence among Omani children.
The study then examines the
biological and genetic implications among affected
children, defines the extent
of influences from environmental variables, and tests
the importance of folic acid
and vitamin B12 as a possible
cure for the disease.
Autism is a modern condition which shows itself during the second or third year
of life. Autistic children have
impaired social interaction
and communication, fail to
respond to stimuli and can
exhibit abnormally repetitive behaviour. This mental
and neurological handicap
can become life-long. So far,
despite many investigative
studies, its causes are not yet
known. Hence the importance
of this study
Study on
problems of
adolescents
A
dolescence
is
considered one of the
most important stages
in human life because it forms
and defines personality directions which, in turn, becomes
a key element in the development of societies. Therefore,
psychologists and sociologists are keen to more closely
acquaint themselves with the
phenomenon of adolescence
by shedding light on its different dimensions.
Currently, Dr Said al
Thafiri, from the Department
of Psychology in the College
of Education at SQU, is conducting a study on the problems facing Omani adolescents and, by proper guidance
and new methods seeking to
solve them.
Such methods include
identifying adolescents’ psychological and counselling
needs and applying measures
suitable to the Omani environment. The study is based
on a sample of 2,100 students
between 12-18 years of age.
Statistical methods will be
used to examine the relationship between the study’s variables to guarantee reliable
results which can be used as
foundations for adolescents’
care and guidance.
HRC Director is responsible for its general management, research policies and programmes carried out by the centre’s research groups, as well as
for locating sources of funding for its projects and
co-ordinating its relations with institutions inside
and outside SQU.
Professor Fawzi says that the most significant
function of the HRC is to supervise scientific activities and establish research groups with clear objectives headed by responsible co-ordinators. The
HRC’s policy on types of research will be flexible,
especially in the early years. It will not interfere
with, direct, or impose any specific research topic
on potential researchers, but will leave the coordinators free to choose their project and make
appropriate arrangements with the HRC management. After it has been approved by the centre’s
committee for research and activities, work on a
project will start immediately.
Professor Fawzi adds that the most important
objectives of the HRC include deciding on a research mechanism which sheds light on several
aspects related to Omani society in particular and
to Arab society in general by focusing on topics
which need more investigation. It also hopes to
conduct distinguished research on social, administrative and legal matters to raise awareness of the
importance of humanities study and provide conditions needed for its development.
Professor Fawzi says that the HRC’s vision and
mission have defined its objectives which focus on
finding ways to encourage research in the human
sciences and to create a research culture which will
produce scholarly papers publishable in refereed
international journals. The centre already carries
out SQU’s policy of supporting and publishing research projects in the humanities, tracking foreign
research in the area, and translating high quality
selections from that source.