Bed Furrow Research Articles

Effect of sowing dates and establishment methods on quality parameter, uptake of NPK and economics of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Konkan region of Maharashtra

The present investigation entitled “Effect of sowing dates and establishment methods on quality parameter, uptake of NPK and economics of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Konkan region of Maharashtra” was conducted at Agronomy Farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra during kharif season of 2015. The results revealed that, the gross return (Rs. 209162 ha-1), net return (Rs. 69446 ha-1) and B: C ratio (1.50) was appreciably higher in 23rd MW as compared to the other sowing dates. However, broad bed furrow method of sowing obtained highest gross returns (Rs. 206615 ha-1), net profit (Rs. 68790 ha-1), and B: C ratio (1.50) as compared to flat bed method of sowing. The highest total nitrogen uptake (142.67 kg ha-1, total phosphorus uptake (11.45 kg ha-1) and total potassium uptake (67.82 kg ha-1) recorded under 23rd MW. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium uptake was significantly higher in crop sown by broad bed furrow than flat bed.

Yield and economics of pigeon pea based intercropping systems as influenced by different land configurations

A field experiment was conducted at experimental farm of AICRP for Dry Land Agriculture, V.N.M.K.V., Parbhani during kharif season of 2015-16 and 2016-17 to study yield and economics of pigeon pea based intercropping systems as influenced by different land configurations. Soil of experimental field was medium deep black with low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in available potassium. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three main plot treatments and four sub plot treatments. The main plot treatments were three land configurations as (L1) Broad bed furrow (BBF), (L2) Ridges and furrow and (L3) Flat bed method. Sub plot treatments were four intercropping systems i.e. (I1) pigeon pea + soybean (2:1), (I2) pigeon pea + greengram (2:1), (I3) pigeon pea + black gram (2:1) and (I4) pigeon pea + Cowpea (2:1). The highest pigeon pea equivalent yield and net returns of Rs. 67814 ha-1 were obtained with broad bed furrow (L1), which was closely followed by treatment L2 (ridges and furrow) with net returns of Rs. 64095 ha-1. Among intercropping systems the highest pigeon pea equivalent yield and net returns of Rs. 68908 ha-1were obtained in pigeonpea+greeengram (2:1) intercropping system and was followed by pigeonpea+blackgram and pigeonpea+soybean intercropping system.

Study of moisture conservations as influenced by tillage and land configuration practices on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill.) Under rain fed condition

An agronomic investigation “Effect of tillage and land configuration practices on growth and yield of rainfed soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill.)” was carried out at Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during Kharif 2016. The experiment was conducted under dryland condition which consisted of three treatments of tillage practices as main plots and four treatments of land configurations as sub plots constituting twelve treatment combinations which were replicated thrice in split plot design. Three tillage practices i.e. T1 (conventional tillage), T2 (rotary tillage) and T3 (sub soiling tillage) were tested with four land configurations i.e. L1 (broad bed furrow), L2 (flatbed), L3 (ridges & furrow) and L4 (opening of furrow) in the investigation. In this study, the moisture storage was induced by tillage practices using sub soiling tillage. Results of the study revealed that, sloughing + cultivator +harrowing + subsoil recorded highest moisture storage of soil. From the results of the study it can be revealed that, the moisture content at various growth stages were recorded viz. at sowing, at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and at harvest. At sowing there was almost uniform moisture content in all the treatments. At 15 DAS measured moisture content was higher in sub soiling tillage practice and it 37.02% for 30-45 cm depth, 36.02% for 15-30 cm depth and 34.39% for 0-15 cm depth which was found to be higher than rest of the tillage practices. At 90 DAS measured moisture content was higher in sub soiling tillage practice and it 38.00% for 30-45 cm depth, 37.85% for 15-30 cm depth and 36.00% for 0-15cm depth which was found to be higher than rest of the tillage practices i.e. rotary tillage and conventional tillage. At harvest measured moisture content was higher in sub soiling tillage practice and it 27.37% for 30-45cm depth, 26.08% for 15-30cm depth and 25.33% for 0-15cm depth which was found to be higher than rest of the tillage practices. Among land configurations, at sowing there was almost uniform moisture content in all the treatments. At 15 DAS measured moisture content was higher in broad bed furrow and it 32.10% for 30-45cm depth, 31.25% for 15-30cm depth and 30.08% for 0-15cm depth which was found to be higher than rest of the land configuration. At 90 DAS measured moisture content was higher in bed furrow and it 36.85% for 30-45cm depth, 35.88% for 15-30cm depth and 35.20% for 0-15cm depth which was found to be higher than rest of the land configuration i.e. ridges and furrow, flat bed and opening of furrow. At harvest moisture content was higher in broad bed furrow and it 28.61% for 30-45 cm depth, 27.97% for 15-30cm depth and 26.40% for 0-15cm depth which was found to be higher than rest of the land configuration i.e. ridges and furrow, flat bed and opening of furrow.

Raised bed planting through broad bed furrow

In recent years, it is imperative to improve sowing techniques through preferred seedbed preparation and early crop growth. Sowing techniques and type of seeding machines play an important role in seed placement and seedling emergence which ultimately affect crop growth and grain yield. The selection of suitable planting methods is dependent upon the time of planting, irrigation methods, amount of residue in the field and type of planting machines. The present work deals with the review of research work done by using broad bed furrow (BBF) worldwide to study the effect of raised bed planting on soil health, yield, water saving, fertility of soil etc. From the study it is revealed that raised bed (RB) farming systems combine most of the elements of conservation agriculture and have produced encouraging production results under various environmental conditions. RBs offer the opportunity of reducing field compaction and restoring physically degraded soil structure, as well as, the potential to reduce irrigation water and increase crop yield while reducing the risk of water logging. Different raised planting configurations are used throughout the world depending on soil type, available machinery, farmer preference and expertise. In general, increasing the width of the bed reduces total water used and increases land use efficiency and yield by reducing the uncropped furrow area.

Impact of Establishment Techniques and Maturity Duration of Pigeon Pea Cultivars on Yield, Water Productivity and Properties of Soil

India is the leading country with respect to area and production of pulse crop pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.). However, the productivity of this crop is too low and almost static for the last five decades due to cultivation of long-duration cultivars that are prone to climatic variations causing temporary water logging, drought and frost. Proper selection of the cultivar and use of appropriate crop establishment may help in enhancing productivity. Therefore, a field investigation was carried out for 3 consecutive years to determine the impact of establishment techniques on cultivars of two maturity durations—long (250–280 days; cv. JA-4) and short (130–145 days; cv. ICPL-88039), grown using the conventional tillage (CT), minimum tillage (MT), zero tillage (ZT) and broad bed furrow (BBF). The BBF method significantly improved the growth, biological yield, harvest index ratio, water productivity and physicochemical properties compared to the CT, MT and ZT. The yield of pigeon pea seed and stalk under the BBF increased 9.9 and 4.1% compared to the CT. The short-duration cultivar produced higher yield (16.8%) in frost-affected year (2012–2013) but was at par with the long-duration cultivar during the normal climatic condition year (2013–2015). Overall, the short-duration cultivar produced significantly higher yield. Land use efficiency and total water use were significantly higher for the long-duration cultivar a compared to the short-duration cultivar, whereas production efficiency and water productivity were higher for the short-duration cultivar. Compared to the other tillage practices, BBF showed significantly higher organic carbon and infiltration rate but decreased pH. The trend of infiltration rate was in the order BBF > ZT > MT > CT. The bulk density of surface (0–15 cm) and sub-surface (15–30 cm) layers were significantly lower under the BBF compared to the other tillage practices. Maximum increment of available N, P, K and S in surface soil (0–15 cm) was recorded under the BBF. For the short-duration maturity cultivar of pigeon pea the BBF method appeared beneficial in terms of assured higher yield, improved water productivity and physicochemical properties of soil under variable climatic conditions in Central India.

On farm abiotic stress management in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and its impact on yield, economics and soil properties

The major abiotic stress limiting productivity of pigeon pea includes undulated topography, waterlogging, drought, frost, poor soil fertility. Management techniques of abiotic stresses significantly increased yield, net profit and B:C ratio as compared to farmers practice (FP). Adoption of abiotic stresses resulted in an increase of grain yield by 7.2 to 38.5% over FP. Major technological impact on grain yield compared to FP was in order: broad bed furrow (BBF) sowing method (38.5%) > nutrient management (21.0%) > seed treatment (14.9%) > short duration cultivar (7.3%) > precision land shaping (PLS) method (7.2%). Maximum additional cost on nutrient management was 2,360 ha-1 and it was minimum on seed treatment (265 ha-1), whereas saving due to BBF was .1,554 ha-1 and maximum additional net returns were obtained with BBF (30,551 ha-1) and minimum with PLS (4,804 ha-1) compared to FP. Maximum additional energy used was on nutrient management and minimum on seed treatment, whereas energy saved under BBF compared to FP. Higher additional net energy gain was with BBF followed by nutrient management, seed treatment, PLS and short duration cultivar over FP. PLS, BBF, seed treatment and nutrient management significantly increased infiltration rate and available N, P, K, S and Zn but decreased bulk density. Management of abiotic stresses by proper technologies increased pigeon pea production three times compared to average productivity of the country, resulted in increased economic benefits, energy productivity and improved soil physicochemical properties.

Soil moisture conservation practices on growth and yield of cotton under rainfed conditions of Tamil Nadu

A field experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Station, Veppanthattai, Perambalur district of Tamil Nadu between October 2012 to March 2013 to study the effect of different in situ moisture conservation practices on cotton. The main plot treatments (4) comprised of summer ploughing + harrowing, chisel ploughing + harrowing, summer ploughing + chisel ploughing + harrowing and incorporating coir pith (5 tons/ha) by coir pith applicator. The subplot treatments (5) included broad bed furrow, ridges and furrow, random tied ridging, basin listing and conventional method. Significantly higher and consistent availability of soil moisture (9.4-29.1 %) was recorded by incorporating coir pith using coir pith applicator as compared to other main plot treatments and among subplots, broad bed furrow conserved higher soil moisture (29.5 %) followed by ridges and furrows (27.2 %). Maximum plant height (142.3 cm) and dry matter production (4632.0 kg/ha) was observed in coir pith application with broad bed furrow treatment. Broad bed furrow increased the yield by 19.23 % (2167.5 kg/ha) over the control. Hence coir pith application with broad bed furrow is found to be the best practice for enhanced soil moisture availability as compared to other conservation practices for deep clay soils.

Effect of broad bed furrow method for rainfed soybean cultivation at Balodabazar district of Chhattisgarh

Effect of broad bed furrow method for rainfed soybean cultivation at Balodabazar district of Chhattisgarh

Effect of planting methods and irrigation levels on water productivity of onion (Allium cepa L.)

To investigate the effect of planting methods and irrigation levels on irrigation water productivity and onion (Allium cepa L.) yield, a field experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at the Research Farm of Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during rabi 2011-12. Three planting methods tested include drip irrigated beds, furrow irrigated beds and flat flood irrigation. In drip irrigated beds and furrow irrigated beds three onion rows were planted on 55 cm wide beds at a spacing of 15 cm from row to row. Three levels of irrigation water were tested i.e. IW/PAN-E ratio of 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 in drip irrigated onions and 1.2, 1.6 and 2.0 in both bed furrow and flat flood methods of irrigation. The results of the experiment indicated that in drip irrigated beds by applying same quantity and 50 per cent of water as of flat flood irrigation, the yield was increased by 43 and 25 per cent, respectively. Irrespective of irrigation levels, highest onion yield (32.5 t ha-1) was recorded under drip irrigated beds followed by furrow irrigated beds (28.5 t ha-1) and least under flat flood irrigation method (25.0 t ha-1). The onion yield increases with the increase in irrigation level in all the planting methods. The highest irrigation water productivity was observed under drip irrigated beds (1.26 t ha-1 cm) followed by furrow irrigated beds (0.84 t ha-1 cm) and least under flat flood irrigation (0.48 t ha-1 cm) with equivalent IW/PAN-E ratios. Bigger size onions (40 mm and 50 mm) were observed under drip irrigated beds followed by furrow irrigated beds and smallest size bulbs under flat flood method of irrigation. The results revealed that drip irrigation could successfully be used for onion production with significant water saving and higher production.

Evaluation of Induced Microclimate Modification via Changing Planting Dates and/or Irrigation Methods on Maize Water Productivity in Two Locations in Egypt

A field experiment was executed in2015 summer season, at Gemmeiza (Middle Nile Delta, Lat. 30.47, Long. 31.00) at El-Gharbia Governorate and Mallawi (Middle Egypt, Lat. 28.05 Long. 30.44) at El-Minia Governorate to find out the extent to which grain yield, water use and water productivity for SC10 maize hybrid were influenced by irrigation schemes and planting dates and itinteraction. Irrigation schemes (furrow and bed irrigation schemes) were combined with three planting dates (May, 15; May, 30 and June, 14), and assessed in Randomized Complete Block Design andarranged in split plot design. Irrigation schemes were tested in main plots, while the split plots were assigned to planting dates, and each treatment was replicated three times. The important findings could be summarized as follows: * Maize grain yield at Gemmeiza location insignificantly increased thatatMallawi location. The adopted irrigation schemes significantly influenced the grain yield, and furrow irrigation surpassed bed furrow irrigation by 9.15%. Maize grain yield was significantly influencedby planting dates, whereplanting on May, 15 was superior, and the grain yield was increased by 3.77 and 7.42%, comparable with May, 30 and June, 14 planting dates, respectively. * The highest consumptive use (CU) value (600.5 mm) was recorded under Mallawi conditions, which exceeded that under Gemmeiza by 17.86%. Such findings are mainly attributable to prevailing weather conditions during the growing season, which encourages higher crop water use under Mallawi conditions. Water use value under furrow irrigation scheme was higher by 22.24% more than that with bed irrigation. The lowest CU value (542.3 mm) was found for May, 15 planting date, and increased by 2.34 and 4.79%,respectively, comparable withMay, 30 and June, 14 planting dates. *Water productivity (WP) value proved that maize plants, under Gemmeiza conditions, used the irrigation water efficiently by 10.74%, higher than that recorded under Mallawi conditions. Bed irrigation scheme exhibited higher WP value than that recorded with furrow irrigation scheme by 5.15%. The highest WP value (7.74 kgfad-1mm-1) resulted from May, 15 planting date, and delaying the planting date to May, 30 or June, 14 caused reductions in WP values being13.05 and 17.05%, respectively, lower than that with May, 15 planting date. Based on the obtained results, maize production at Gemmeiza (Middle Nile Delta, Lat. 30.47 Long. 31.00), compared with Mallawi (Middle Egypt, Lat. 28.05 Long. 30.44) is preferred due to lower water use and higher water productivity as well.

Effect of Maize/Haricot Bean Intercropping on Soil Fertility Improvement under Different Tied Ridges and Planting Methods, Southeast Ethiopia

Mono cropping is the dominant factor influencing plant nutrient uptake and loss of soil quality in Ethiopia whereas intercropping of cereal/legume has positive environmental qualities. Likewise drought and moisture stress condition is widely expanding from all direction to the center of the country. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate influence of planting methods, tied ridge and cropping system on different soil chemical properties in case of Madda Walabu district, Southeast Ethiopia. It was undertaken at Bidire from March 2016 to January, 2017. In this experiment, one maize variety (Melkassa 2) and one haricot bean variety (Nasir) were used. Treatments include open end and closed end tied ridge; sole cropping and intercropping; and in furrow, on ridge and flat bed planting. Each treatment has been triplicate and the experiment plots were laid out in randomized complete block design. Intercropping of maize-haricot bean with tied ridge and planting methods were highly influenced soil pH, exchangeable potassium, available phosphorous, soil organic matter and total soil nitrogen. Generally, the use of intercropping and closed end tied ridge in combination with in furrow planting significantly increased (p0.05) soil fertility in the system, which could be promising for sustainable improvement of crop production and productivity for semi arid areas of Bale zone.

Spatial and temporal estimation of soil loss for the sustainable management of a wet semi-arid watershed cluster.

The ungauged wet semi-arid watershed cluster, Seethagondi, lies in the Adilabad district of Telangana in India and is prone to severe erosion and water scarcity. The runoff and soil loss data at watershed, catchment, and field level are necessary for planning soil and water conservation interventions. In this study, an attempt was made to develop a spatial soil loss estimation model for Seethagondi cluster using RUSLE coupled with ARCGIS and was used to estimate the soil loss spatially and temporally. The daily rainfall data of Aphrodite for the period from 1951 to 2007 was used, and the annual rainfall varied from 508 to 1351 mm with a mean annual rainfall of 950 mm and a mean erosivity of 6789 MJ mm ha(-1) h(-1) year(-1). Considerable variation in land use land cover especially in crop land and fallow land was observed during normal and drought years, and corresponding variation in the erosivity, C factor, and soil loss was also noted. The mean value of C factor derived from NDVI for crop land was 0.42 and 0.22 in normal year and drought years, respectively. The topography is undulating and major portion of the cluster has slope less than 10°, and 85.3% of the cluster has soil loss below 20 t ha(-1) year(-1). The soil loss from crop land varied from 2.9 to 3.6 t ha(-1) year(-1) in low rainfall years to 31.8 to 34.7 t ha(-1) year(-1) in high rainfall years with a mean annual soil loss of 12.2 t ha(-1) year(-1). The soil loss from crop land was higher in the month of August with an annual soil loss of 13.1 and 2.9 t ha(-1) year(-1) in normal and drought year, respectively. Based on the soil loss in a normal year, the interventions recommended for 85.3% of area of the watershed includes agronomic measures such as contour cultivation, graded bunds, strip cropping, mixed cropping, crop rotations, mulching, summer plowing, vegetative bunds, agri-horticultural system, and management practices such as broad bed furrow, raised sunken beds, and harvesting available water using farm ponds and percolation tanks. This methodology can be adopted for estimating the soil loss from similar ungauged watersheds with deficient data and for planning suitable soil and water conservation interventions for the sustainable management of the watersheds.

Dry root yield, nutrient uptake and economics of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) as influenced by planting layouts, spacings and nutrient management under drip irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season for two years to study the response of Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] to planting layouts, spacings and nutrient management levels under drip irrigation at Rahuri (Maharashtra). There were twenty four treatment combinations consisting of three planting layouts (broad bed furrow, ridges and furrow, flat bed) along with two treatments of spacings (30 cm x 20 cm, 45 cm x 20 cm) were embedded in main plots. Four levels of nutrient management (75 : 37.5 : 37.5 kg N,P2O5, K2O + 5 t FYM/ha, 50 : 25 : 25 kg N, P2O5, K2O + 5 t FYM/ha,25 : 12.5 : 12.5 kg N, P2O5, K2O + 5 t FYM/ha and control) were taken in sub plots. Broad bed furrow planting layout recorded significantly higher values of yield attributes viz., number of roots, root length, root diameter, dry root weight, number of berries and seed yield per plant and consequently recorded higher dry root (790 kg/ha) and seed yield (11.46 q/ha), nutrient uptake and harvest index (18.86%) as compared to ridges furrow and flat bed. The closer spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm registered significantly high dry root yield, seed yield, nutrient uptake and harvest index than wider spacing of 45 cm x 20 cm. At 30 cm x 20 cm spacing, the increase in dry root yield and seed yield was 19.89 and 15.20% over 45 cm x 20 cm, respectively. Significant increase in dry root yield, seed yield and nutrient uptake was noticed with increase in fertilizer levels from control to 75 : 37.5 : 37.5 kg N, P2O5, K2O + 5 t FYM/ha. Application of 75 : 37.5 : 37.5 kg N, P2O5, K2O + 5 t FYM/ha recorded significantly higher yield attributes as well as dry root yield (837 kg/ha), seed yield (13.29 q/ha), N (130.34 kg/ha), P (30.07 kg/ha) and K (159.49 kg/ha) uptake and harvest index (21.33%) than rest of fertilizer levels. Economic evaluation indicated that broad bed furrow planting method produced higher gross returns (‘ 2,20,379/ ha), net returns (‘ 1,60,796/ha) and B:C ratio (3.67) followed by ridges furrow and flat bed. The spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm and fertilized with 75:37.5:37.5 kg N, P2O5, K2O + 5 t FYM/ha obtained maximum gross returns (‘ 2,56,946/ha), net returns (‘ 1,92,496/ha), and B:C ratio than others.

Study of sediment movement in an irrigated maize–cotton system combining rainfall simulations, sediment tracers and soil erosion models

Summary Although soil erosion is one of the main threats to agriculture sustainability in many areas of the world, its processes are difficult to measure and still need a better characterization. The use of iron oxides as sediment tracers, combined with erosion and mixing models opens up a pathway for improving the knowledge of the erosion and redistribution of soil, determining sediment sources and sinks. In this study, magnetite and a multivariate mixing model were used in rainfall simulations at the micro-plot scale to determine the source of the sediment at different stages of a furrow–ridge system both with (+T) and without (–T) wheel tracks. At a plot scale, magnetite, hematite and goethite combined with two soil erosion models based on the kinematic wave approach were used in a sprinkler irrigation test to study trends in sediment transport and tracer dynamics along furrow lengths under a wide range of scenarios. In the absence of any stubble cover, sediment contribution from the ridges was larger than the furrow bed one, almost 90%, while an opposite trend was observed with stubble, with a smaller contribution from the ridge (32%) than that of the bed, at the micro-plot trials. Furthermore, at a plot scale, the tracer concentration analysis showed an exponentially decreasing trend with the downstream distance both for sediment detachment along furrows and soil source contribution from tagged segments. The parameters of the distributed model KINEROS2 have been estimated using the PEST Model to obtain a more accurate evaluation. Afterwards, this model was used to simulate a broad range of common scenarios of topography and rainfall from commercial farms in southern Spain. Higher slopes had a significant influence on sediment yields while long furrow distances allowed a more efficient water use. For the control of runoff, and therefore soil loss, an equilibrium between irrigation design (intensity, duration, water pattern) and hydric needs of the crops should be defined in order to establish a sustainable management strategy.

A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF FURROW IRRIGATION SYSTEM

ISHS International Conference on Agricultural Engineering: New Technologies for Sustainable Agricultural Production and Food Security A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF FURROW IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Soil Drainage and Nutrient Management to Improve Productivity of Waterlogged Vertisols for Small-scale Farmers

Vertisols cover large part of the high rainfall areas of Ethiopia. However, the potential of these soils is not well exploited because of heavy water logging during the main rain season. A study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of soil drainage and fertilizer application on the productivity of Vertisols. Factorial combinations of four planting beds (Broadbed and furrow (BBF) with 100 cm bed size, broadbed and furrow with 80 cm bed size, ridge and furrow (RF) with 30 cm bed size, and flatbed) and two fertilizer levels (unfertilized and fertilized with 64 kg N ha-1 & 46 kg P2O5 ha-1) in RCBD were experimented for the sustainable use and improved productivity of Vertisols in Northeastern Ethiopia in the 2006/2007 cropping season. Results revealed that ridge and furrow bed (RF) drained more excess water than the broadbed and furrow beds (BBF) and the flatbed (F), but with yield penalties. Soil drainage using broadbed and furrows (BBF) and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization reduced days to heading and maturity by 12 and 15%, respectively. The broadbed and furrow and the nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization package increased grain yield by 90%, grain nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes by 183 and 252%, and stover nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes by 152 and 121%. Thus, planting in broadbed and furrows (BBF), disregard of the bed size, with fertilizer application is recommended for bread wheat production on vertisols in Northeastern Ethiopia.

Ensuing economic gains from summer pearlmillet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) due to different dates of sowing and land configuration

This study was undertaken at Navsari, India (20.95°N 72.93°E, elevation of 10 m above Sea level) during summer season 2010 to work out effect of different land configuration and dates of sowing on pearlmillet. The results gained confirm that ridges and furrow along with early sowing date during summer season is beneficial to obtain higher net returns from pearlmillet crop. Ridges and furrow sowing of pearlmillet showed superiority in all needed agronomic trait of pearlmillet crop during summer and the increase in grain and stover yield under ridges and furrow was 20.00 and 17.71% over flat bed sowing, respectively. The economic returns by application of ridge and furrow bed sowing gave net returns of Rs.14081 ha-1 and B:C ratio of 1.88 while, in flat bed treatment those were Rs.10181.04 ha-1 and 1.67, respectively. Sowing pearlmillet during last week of January or first week of February increases the yield as well as net returns from the crop. Pearlmillet sown on 5 February (3.24 t ha-1) gave significantly highest grain yield followed by 25 January (3.04 t ha-1) sowing, while 15 February sowing gave significantly lowest yield. Highest net returns of Rs.15541 ha-1 with B:C ratio of 2.03 were obtained with 5 February sowing treatment, followed by 25 January sowing treatment with Rs.13971 ha-1 and 1.93 B:C ratio respectively. Whereas, the lowest net returns and B:C ratio was acquire from 15 February, that is, Rs. 8341 ha-1 and 1.55, respectively. Key words: Summer pearlmillet, land configuration, ridges and furrow, dates of sowing.

Soil Surface Profile Computation Using Portable Profile Meter with Image Processing and Tracking Technique

New measurement method for soil surface profile has been described in this study. This method includes new designed soil profile meter, digital imaging equipment and image tracking & analysis software. Using such modified soil profile meter can help to observe and measure changes occur in irrigation channels, small ditches and to quantify changes at specific cross sections within soil furrows. By using image processing and tracking system we can trace marked points in fixed level of meter pins, these points have vertical displacements and vary according to existing profiles and cross-sectional shape in different locations, which give us ability to record presented form of different profiles. The modified profile meter used to measure and track changes in different profiles; two types of ditches and two types of furrow. The recorded profiles heights for different locations gave us perspicuous knowledge about the geometry of furrows and ditches shapes before and after seasonal irrigation process. The differences in measurements for same locations and sites have been noted. Designed soil profile meter successfully demonstrated changes in profiles pattern due to surface irrigation erosion in term of height variations, for shallow and wide ditches, the differences in measured heights by soil profile meter after and before the irrigation generally ranged from 0 to 11 mm, while in deep ditches, differences in heights ranged from 0 to 44 mm. With ridge profiles, soil profile meter tracked variation in measured heights from 0 to 13.88 %, also, high percentage of variation obtained by studying flat top bed furrow changes, the largest percentage was 17.1 % at beginning of the furrow line. This clarifies the ability to track and record erosion effect in different furrows and ditches by using soil profile meter as a part of used image processing and tracking system.

Constraints and opportunities for water savings and increasing productivity through Resource Conservation Technologies in Pakistan

Increasing the productivity of rice–wheat cropping systems is critical for meeting food demand in rapidly growing South Asia. But this must be done with increasingly scarce water resources, bringing greater attention to Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs) such as zero tillage, laser land leveling and furrow bed planting. While the impacts of RCTs on yields are easy to measure and explain, impacts on water savings are not well understood beyond the field scale because of the complex movement of water. This paper uses both physical measurements and farmer survey data from the rice–wheat cropping system of Punjab, Pakistan to explain the main drivers of RCT adoption and their impacts on land and water productivity and water savings across scales. The primary drivers for RCT adoption (zero tillage wheat and laser land leveling) were reduced costs of production and labor requirements, reduced field scale irrigation water application, and higher yield. While the large proportion of farmers benefitting from RCTs explains overall increases in RCT adoption, a considerable proportion (30% of zero tillage adopters for wheat cultivation) reported yield loss, highlighting the need for further technological refinement and enhancing farmers’ ability to implement RCT. The study also indicates that the field scale reduction in irrigation application did not always translate into real water savings or reductions in water use at farm, cropping system and catchment scales, especially in areas where deep percolation from the root zone could be reused as groundwater irrigation. Finally, the evidence shows that medium and large farmers tended to use the field scale irrigation savings to increase their cropped area. This finding suggests that without regulations and policies to regulate the use of “saved” water, adoption of RCTs can result in overall increased water use with implications for the long-term sustainability of irrigated agriculture.

Soil Drainage and Nutrient Management to Improve Productivity of Waterlogged Vertisols for Small-scale Farmers

Vertisols cover large part of the high rainfall areas of Ethiopia. However, the potential of these soils is not well exploited because of heavy water logging during the main rain season. A study was conducted to investigate the interactive effects of soil drainage and fertilizer application on the productivity of Vertisols. Factorial combinations of four planting beds (Broadbed and furrow (BBF) with 100 cm bed size, broadbed and furrow with 80 cm bed size, ridge and furrow (RF) with 30 cm bed size, and flatbed) and two fertilizer levels (unfertilized and fertilized with 64 kg N ha-1 & 46 kg P2O5 ha-1) in RCBD were experimented for the sustainable use and improved productivity of Vertisols in Northeastern Ethiopia in the 2006/2007 cropping season. Results revealed that ridge and furrow bed (RF) drained more excess water than the broadbed and furrow beds (BBF) and the flatbed (F), but with yield penalties. Soil drainage using broadbed and furrows (BBF) and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization reduced days to heading and maturity by 12 and 15%, respectively. The broadbed and furrow and the nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization package increased grain yield by 90%, grain nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes by 183 and 252%, and stover nitrogen and phosphorus uptakes by 152 and 121%. Thus, planting in broadbed and furrows (BBF), disregard of the bed size, with fertilizer application is recommended for bread wheat production on vertisols in Northeastern Ethiopia.