Abstract
In the semi-arid tropics (SAT),33% areas are occupied by Alfisols and related soils. In SAT these soils have low structural stability and thereby tend to form seal and crusts at the surface. Due to this a large proportion of the rain that falls on Alfisols during the early part of the rainy season,is normally lost as runoff thus causing high soil loss as well as moisture stress to crops. Two tillage studies were conducted first at plot scale (320 m2) during 1991-95 and second at small watershed scale (1.45 ha) during 2007-10,at ICRISAT research station,Hyderabad,India. These studies were conducted to find out whether the problem of excessive runoff and soil loss during the early part of the rainy season can be controlled by various inter-row tillage systems in addition to normal intercultivation by breaking the crust or seal and thereby improving infiltration and soil moisture and reducing runoff and soil loss. The observations on rainfall,runoff,soil moisture,soil loss,soil surface roughness and crop yields were collected from both the studies. Results from these studies have shown that inter-row tillage in addition to normal intercultivation is found effective in controlling early season runoff and soil loss and increasing crop yields. The additional tillage systems are found most effective during low and medium rainfall years and not so much during high rainfall years. The additional tillage with shoe cultivators,which creates rough soil surface (11 mm depression storage),is found most effective in increasing crop yields and reducing runoff and soil loss. The additional tillage with blade harrow which generates smooth soil surface is relatively less effective. In most rainfall conditions,the normal intercultivation with one additional tillage is found adequate for controlling early season runoff and improving soil moisture and crop yields.
Highlights
Alfisols are important soils in the semi-arid tropics (SAT), covering nearly 33% of the SAT region
Runoff and Soil Loss The annual runoff was significantly influenced by different inter-row tillage systems (Table 2)
The inter-row tillage in addition to normal intercultivation is found to be effective in controlling the early season runoff and soil loss and increasing crop yields
Summary
Alfisols are important soils in the semi-arid tropics (SAT), covering nearly 33% of the SAT region With their poor water retention characteristics, rainfed cropping of Alfisols is ever threatened with deficient soil moisture conditions even in relatively short dry spells. The cultivated soil layer may often be prone to slumping and hardening reducing rainwater infiltration and making the timely subsequent tillage difficult. Due to these soil related factors and other constraints, low productivity and even crop failure are a common fact which discourages farmers from making substantial investments for improved management. On Alfisols, the problems of surface sealing, crusting and slumping have been observed more during the early part of the crop growing season because of sparse vegetation and poor crop canopy, which does not provide effective protection
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
