2. Materials and methods
2.1. Study area and experimental design
The study area is part of the Damascus Ghouta, an
area surrounding Damascus city in the East with
intensive agricultural and horticultural production.
The Barada and the Ahwash are the main rivers
crossing the Ghouta. They originate from the Anti-
Lebanon-Mountains. The average precipitation is
about 225 mm/year. The main potential evapotranspiration
is more than 1000 mm/year.