title: The only elements required by plants that are deficient in seawater are nitrogen, phosphorous and iron.
abstract: It has been known for some time that mangroves grow in the intertidal areas of desert countries where fresh water flows into the sea, but this phenomenon has not been understood. In Eritrea we observed that mangroves grow where infrequent rains flow into the Red Sea. We theorized that the fresh water must bring elements needed for plant growth that are absent in seawater. We compared the composition of seawater to that of Zarrouk's algae medium. All the elements in algae medium are in sufficient quantity in seawater except for nitrogen, phosphorous and iron. If we supply these elements we can grow any plant that can grow in seawater. We have also begun planting plants that can grow in sea water in the Sahara desert with sea water irrigation and fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. We believe this will be major step in reducing hunger and poverty in the world.
authors.affiliation: The Manzanar Project, 27 Cedar St., Wenham, MA, 01984, USA, manzanarmangrove@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Negassi
authors.forename: Adel Zaggaf
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Tahiri