Moisture Conservation Measures Research Articles

Energy budgeting, carbon footprint and economics of sunflower and pigeonpea system under moisture conservation practices in rainfed semi-arid tropics

In drylands, soil water availability in the profile during crop period, especially at critical stages is most vital. System which is productive, energy efficient with a minimum carbon (C) footprint under limited water condition is a concern. Therefore we evaluated sunflower and pigeonpea crops over two-years in terms of productivity, energy, C-footprint and profitability under different moisture conservation measures. These were raised bed, ridge and furrow, tied ridges and furrow, conservation tillage, flatbed sowing and opening furrow after every three rows at 30 days, and flatbed sowing under sole crops of sunflower and pigeonpea and intercropping at 1:1 adopted split-plot design. The results showed in-field moisture conservation by ridge and furrow produced considerably greater sunflower (59.6–66%) and pigeonpea (85.2–128.7%) yields and profitable (604.1 US$ ha−1) over traditional flatbed sowing. It also exhibited greater output energy (37.8–83.0%), energy use efficiency(4.2 kg GJ−1),and lower energy intensity (21.57 × 10−3 GJ US$−1). Sunflower and pigeonpea sole crops produced higher seed yields over intercropping. But it has yield advantage in terms of greater pigeonpea equivalent yield (0.53–1.13 Mg ha−1), profitability (691.8 USD ha−1), output energy (42.4 GJ ha−1) and energy ratio. Among the input energy sources, chemical fertilizers accounted 53.6 % of the total input energy. Interestingly, least C-footprints were recorded under ridge and furrow (182 kg CE kg−1grain)and intercropping (0.248 kg CE kg−1 grain). Results confirmed sunflower and pigeonpea intercropping on ridge and furrow was productive, energy saving, C-footprint reduction and economical practice under rainfed condition.

Enhancing productivity and sustainability of ravine lands through horti-silviculture and soil moisture conservation: A pathway to land degradation neutrality

Ravine lands are the worst type of land degradation affecting soil quality and biodiversity. Crop production in such lands is impossible without adopting proper conservation measures. In-situ moisture conservation techniques could play an instrumental role in restoring ravine lands by improving soil moisture. We hypothesized that restoring ravine land through a combination of tree planting, fruit crop cultivation, and in-situ moisture conservation practice would result in significant improvements in productivity, profitability, and soil fertility. An experiment was conducted involving the combination of Malabar Neem (Melia dubia) and Dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) in conjunction with in-situ soil moisture conservation measures specifically involving half-moon structures (HM). The experiment was conducted under randomized block design (RBD) comprising eight treatments. These treatments include sole Melia cultivation (MD 3m × 3m), sole cultivation of dragon fruit (DF 3m × 3m), silviculture system (MDF-3m × 3m), horti-silviculture system with larger spacing (MDF-4m × 4m), sole Melia cultivation with in-situ moisture conservation (MDH-3m × 3m), sole Dragon fruit cultivation with in-situ moisture conservation (DFH-3m × 3m), horti-silviculture system of Melia and Dragon fruit with in-situ moisture conservation (MDFH-3m × 3m), and horti-silviculture system with larger spacing and in-situ moisture conservation (MDFH-4m × 4m). Each treatment was replicated thrice to evaluate their impact on productivity, profitability, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration for 8 years (2016–2023). The results revealed that the horti-silviculture system (MDFH-3 × 3 m) exhibited the highest total tree biomass and total carbon sequestration with an increase of 183.2% and 82.8% respectively, compared to sole Melia cultivation without HM and sole Melia with HM. Furthermore, sole Melia with HM augmented soil nutrients (N, P, K, and SOC) by 74.4%, 66.4%, 35.2%, and 78.3%, respectively, compared to control (no planting), with performance at par with MDFH-3 × 3 m. Similarly, sole Melia with HM enhanced SOC stock and SOC sequestration rate by 79.2% and 248% over control. However, it was found at par with MDFH-3 × 3 m. The horti-silviculture system (MDFH-3 × 3 m) consistently produced the highest fruit yield throughout the years surpassing other treatments. This treatment increased the average dragon fruit yield by 115.3% compared to sole dragon fruit without HM. Hence, the adoption of the horti-silviculture system (MDFH-3 × 3 m) could be a promising strategy for achieving enhanced environmental and economic benefits in ravine lands. Therefore, dragon fruit based horti-silviculture system (MDFH-3 × 3 m) could be recommended for restoration of ravine lands, improving land productivity, and mitigating impact of soil erosion particularly in Western India or similar agro-climatic regions of the world.

Effect of Seed Priming and Moisture Conservation Measures on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) under Rainfed Upland Situation

A field experiment was conducted during rabi, 2019-20 and 2020-21 at the PG experimental plot of the Department of Agronomy, BNCA to assess seed priming and moisture conservation measures on productivity and profitability of baby corn under the rainfed situation. The soil of the experimental site was acidic (pH 4.64), sandy loam in texture, medium in organic carbon (0.64%), low in available N (232.06 kg ha-1), P2O5 (13.84 kg ha-1) and K2O (115.27 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with 4 levels of seed priming methods. S0: No priming; S1: Seed priming with 1% urea solution; S2: priming with 1% potash solution (MOP); S3: priming with 3 times diluted cow urine and 3 levels of soil moisture conservation measures viz. M0: No mulching; M1: use of bio mulch; M2: use of black polythene mulch. Results revealed that the highest and quickest seedling emergence (11.96 numbers m-2) was recorded under the treatment of seed priming with three times diluted cow urine which was at par with the treatment of seed priming with 1% urea and 1% KCl (MOP) solution. The total number of leaves m-2, total leaf area plant-1 and leaf area index (LAI) of baby corn were also changed significantly due to different moisture conservation measures but those parameters remain static due to different seed priming methods. The CGR (g m-2 day-1), RGR, (g g-1 day-1) and NAR (mg cm-1 day-1) of baby corn were also changed significantly due to different soil moisture conservation measures. The highest and most significant baby corn yield without husk(22.59 q ha-1) with 305.61 q ha-1 of green fodder yield along with harvest index (6.00), production efficiency (25.67 kg‑1 day-1 ha-1) and nutrient use productivity (9.41 kg‑1 ha-1 kg-1) were recorded under the treatment where black polythene mulching was used as soil moisture conservation measure.

Spatial and Temporal Rainfall Analysis of the Bidi Tobacco Growing Areas of India.

The monsoon extremities, such as heavy rainfall, drought, and cyclones are becoming frequent across India and causing substantial damage to commercial crops. To predict/identify the trend in rainfall of Bidi tobacco growing areas were studied for variability, trend, and detection of any change in monthly rainfall over the years (1990-2020) using Mann-Kendall trend analysis and Sen’s slope tests. Monthly rainfall in three unique Bidi production zones has shown distinct trends. A positive trend was observed in March, April, August, September, November, and December while negative trends were in June and July months in Gujarat. During the crop growth period, the trend is positive except in October, the magnitude of change was negligible. However, supplemental irrigation is to be planned during water deficit periods of the nursery (June and July) and critical crop growth periods. In Karnataka, a positive trend from February to October was observed while a negative trend during November, December, and January. The magnitude was high in January (+) and September (-) and significant. The period of negative trend has coincided with the harvesting hence, the crop may not get affected. However, high rainfall during the crop growth period causes a detrimental effect. To mitigate the inundation proper drainage facility should be created through field channels to flush out excess water to avoid saturation at the root zone as this crop is especially extremely sensitive to poor aeration and anaerobic conditions. A positive trend was observed in January, February, March, June, August, and September months in Andhra Pradesh, whereas a negative trend was high in October & November which coincided with crop growth and might significantly affect Bidi tobacco. The positive trend in rainfall during June is high and the same can be utilized for nursery during July-August through proper moisture conservation measures.

Ecology of village ecosystems of Odisha, India

Abstract. Upadhyay VP, Nayak BK, Mishra MK. 2022. Ecology of village ecosystems of Odisha, India. Asian J Ethnobiol 5: 138-155. The present study was conducted in eight villages in the Niyamgiri Hills of Odisha, India. The human population varies from 83 to 312 in uphill villages and 76 to 150 in foothill villages. The cultivated area constitutes 3.37% to 18.85% of the village’s total area. Per capita cultivated area varies from 0.117 to 0.329 ha. The families generally devote more time to agriculture, followed by Minor Forest Products (MFP) collection. The women and children collect leafy vegetables, tubers, fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Collecting and marketing firewood in head loads is commonly practiced in the rainy season. The area of forest cover is not affected much, but the quality of the forest has changed. This suggests appropriate steps to restore the forest and enhance its productivity. All villages depend on rain-fed agriculture. The natural stream water is available to the paddy fields by gravity flow in valleys. The agriculture practices include shifting (podu) cultivation in high hill areas, mid-hill orchards below the podu area, home gardens adjoining habitation, and valley cultivation near Nala beds (streams). Podu is a mixed cultivation practice where cereals, pulses, and oil seeds are grown together. The village productivity is much lower than in other areas of settled agriculture. Improvements in seed quality, Soil and Moisture Conservation (SMC) measures, and the health condition of the tribal community will help support the sustainability of the traditional cultivation and livelihood system. To help protect the indigenous biodiversity, we suggest in this paper other alternatives of livelihood to the local population and options for shifting cultivation areas.

Impact of Forestry Interventions on Groundwater Recharge and Sediment Control in the Ganga River Basin

Water related services of natural infrastructure will help to combat the risk of water crisis, and nature-based solutions involve the management of ecosystems to mimic or optimize the natural processes for the provision and regulation of water. Forested areas provide environmental stability and supply a high proportion of the world’s accessible freshwater for domestic, agricultural, industrial and ecological needs. The present work on “Forestry Interventions for Ganga” to rejuvenate the river is one of the steps toward the Ganga River rejuvenation programme in the country. The consequences of forestry interventions for Ganga will be determined on the basis of water quantity and water quality in the Ganga River. The study conservatively estimated the water savings and sedimentation reduction of the riverscape management in the Ganga basin using the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCS-CN) & GEC, 2015 and Trimble, 1999 & CWC, 2019 methodologies, respectively. Forestry plantations and soil and moisture conservation measures devised in the programme to rejuvenate the Ganga River are expected to increase water recharge and decrease sedimentation load by 231.011 MCM·yr-1 and 1119.6 cubic m·yr-1 or 395.20 tons·yr-1, respectively, in delineated riverscape area of 83,946 km2 in Ganga basin due to these interventions. The role of trees and forests in improving hydrologic cycles, soil infiltration and ground water recharge in Ganga basin seems to be the reason for this change. Forest plantations and other bioengineering techniques can help to keep rivers perennial, increase precipitation, prevent soil erosion and mitigate floods, drought & climate change. The bioengineering techniques could be a feasible tool to enhance rivers’ self-purification as well as to make river perennial. The results will give momentum to the National Mission of Clean Ganga (NMCG) and its Namami Gange programme including other important rivers in the country and provide inputs in understanding the linkages among forest structure, function, and streamflow.

Cascading Impacts of Change in Carbon Dioxide Concentration, Temperature and Precipitation on Horticulture Crops: A Review

The impacts of an increase in carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and precipitation on physiology, yield and biochemical contents of horticulture crops including its mitigation measures are evident globally. This study mainly focuses on South-East Asia and Africa. We have reviewed crop-wise published literature mainly from 2000-2021 regarding the impacts of rising carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and precipitation on horticulture. Visible phenophase changes in horticultural crops such as budburst, leaf initiation, flowering, fruiting, seedling and the overall development stages of the crops are evident from the available literature. The prevalence of many diseases like blight, mildew, abaca, black sigatoka and Pierce’s disease are the results of climate change. Changes in the biochemical content of the horticulture crops such as tannins, flavonol, alcohol level, acidic content, starch, amino acids, lipids, chloroplasts, sugar, organic acids and antioxidants were observed. The recommended mitigation measures throughout the literature are delayed sowing dates, efficient seed varieties, controlled fertilizer use, soil moisture conservation and other biotechnological measures. Salinity, moisture and environmental stress-tolerant crops need to develop for better management of climate change. Breeding of short-duration and heat-tolerant varieties, vulnerability quantification and early warning disease forecasting are some of the important research areas.

Different types of soil mulches in the leaf anatomy and physiology of 'BRS Platina' banana in a non-irrigated management

• The mulches increased chlorophyll content in leaves of banana plants. • The mulches increased gas exchanges characteristics. • The mulches does not influenced anatomical characteristics. • The mulches does not influenced relative water content. • The mulches does not influenced in the protoplasmic tolerance. Banana is among the world´s most popular fruits and it is consolidated in the international market. The largest abiotic constraint threatening banana production is water stress, in rainfed area, judicious use of water is essential for increasing the area under crop production with inadequate water supply. Under such situation the uses of moisture conservation measures are essential, such as the use of mulching of organic materials and synthetic materials. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of different mulches types in physiological and anatomical characteristics of banana 'BRS Platina' in a non-irrigated management. The experiment was conducted on a farm, located in the city of Lavras. The treatments were: black polyethylene films, double-sided polyethylene films (white and black), organic mulch and control (bare soil). The analyzes performed in the first and second crop were: anatomical analyses, gas exchanges, chlorophyll content, relative chlorophyll index, relative water content, and protoplasmic tolerance. Correlation analysis evidenced the association between yield parameters photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance, with high and medium correlation values respectively. Correlations were also observed between chlorophyll a and b , and number of fruits, and number of hands, with high and medium correlation values respectively. Both organic and inorganic (plastic film) mulch are efficient in increasing chlorophyll content and gas exchanges characteristics, but do not influence the anatomical characteristics, relative water content, and protoplasmic tolerance in the first and second crop. Both organic and inorganic (plastic film) mulch can be used in the cultivation of banana 'BRS Platina' under non-irrigated management.

Crop productivity, soil health, and energy dynamics of Indian Himalayan intensified organic maize-based systems

The sustainability of prevailing maize-fallow system in rainfed ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayan region (EHR) of India is often questioned due to poor economic return and negative impact on soil health. Hence, the six cropping systems, maize-fallow (M-F), maize + cowpea-rapeseed (M + C-Rs), maize + cowpea-buckwheat (M + C-Bw), maize + cowpea-barley (M + C–B), maize + cowpea-garden pea (M + C-GP) and maize + cowpea–rajmash (M + C-R) in the main plot and three soil moisture conservation measures, no-mulch (NM), maize stover mulch (MSM) and maize stover + weed biomass mulch (MSM + WBM) in sub-plot were evaluated for four consecutive years (2014-18) at a Research Farm in fixed plot fashion. Results indicated that cowpea co-culture with maize and inclusion of winter crop increased maize yield by 6.2–23.5% over M-F. Among the systems, the M + C-GP recorded the highest crop productivity. The residual effect of MSM + WBM increased maize grain yield by 19.1% over NM. Cultivation of maize + cowpea-winter crops significantly improved the available N (3.2–12.9%), P (3.6–12.7%), K (1.9–26.3%), organic carbon (9.2–16.8%), microbial biomass carbon-MBC (15.2–43.9%) and dehydrogenases-DHA (17.2–42.3%) in soil at 0–15 cm depth as compared to M-F. The M + C-GP also recorded maximum net return (US $2460 ha−1), benefit:cost (B: C) ratio (2.86) and energy use efficiency (7.9%). The MSM + WBM recorded higher net return (US $1680 ha−1) and B:C ratio (2.46) over NM. Hence, cowpea + maize-garden pea (M + C-GP) along with the application of MSM + WBM is a sustainable production practice to intensify the organically managed maize-fallow system in rainfed regions of the EHR of India and other similar ecosystems.

Effect of mulching on crop production under rainfed conditions: A review

Mulching is an agricultural and horticultural technique in which the use of organic materials and synthetic materials for the purpose of increasing soil productivity is involved. In rainfed area, judicious use of water is essential for increasing the area under crop production with inadequate water supply. Under such situation the uses of moisture conservation measures are essential. Therefore, mulching has been advocated as an effective means for conserving soil moisture. This technique is very useful in protecting the roots of the plants from heat, cold or drought or to keep fruit free from diseases and insect pests. As mulching checks evaporation and modifies the soil and air microclimate and thus provides the congenial environment in which a plant is growing for the better growth and development and also helps in controlling the weed growth. Mulching is also applicable to most field crops. However, it is preferred in fruit orchard, flower, vegetable production, nurseries and forest where frequent cultivation is not required. Most commonly used mulch is black plastic which is also called as agricultural mulch. Due to increased soil warming characteristics of clear plastic mulch, it is used only in some areas. White or aluminum reflective mulch is used where soil cooling is desired. Research has shown that white or aluminum reflective mulch also repels aphids which spread some viral diseases in many horticultural crops.

Double mulching improves soil properties and productivity of maize-based cropping system in eastern Indian Himalayas

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years at North Eastern Indian Himalayan region to assess the effect of soil moisture conservation measures on soil and water productivity of different rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) - based cropping sequences. Results revealed that double mulching with in-situ maize stover mulch (MSM) + fresh biomass of white hoary pea (WHP-Tephrosia candida) and MSM + fresh biomass of ragweed (RW- Ambrosia artemisiifolia) improved soil moisture content (SMC) and leaf relative water content of crops during dry season. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content and stocks under MSM + WHP and MSM + RW mulches were significantly higher than that under no mulch at 0–15 cm depth. The soil microbial biomass carbon and dehydrogenase activity were maximum under MSM + WHP/RW. The highest system productivity was obtained from maize-French bean (Pole type-PT) sequence under MSM + RW followed by MSM + WHP. The water productivity was the highest under MSM + WHP. While SOC content was the highest under maize-French bean (PT), the maximum plant available nitrogen and phosphorus were obtained under maize-black gram sequence.Thus, double mulching technology involving MSM and RW (available in plenty) is a viable option for improving soil, crop and water productivity under rainfed hill ecosystems of eastern Indian Himalayas.

Long-term in situ moisture conservation in horti-pasture system improves biological health of degraded land

In situ moisture conservation practices can conserve fertile topsoil and enhance available water in soil profile. We hypothesised that reclaiming degraded land ecologically through tree + pasture + in situ moisture conservation practices would significantly improve soil organic carbon (SOC) and health. Hence, the objectives were a) to identify changes in nutrient cycling enzymes and SOC status due to different in situ soil moisture conservation options in surface and subsurface soil layers, and b) to test the potentiality of soil enzymes to determine long-term nutrient availability. We conducted a long-term experiment involving aonla (Emblica officinalis) trees + pasture (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes seabrana) + in situ soil moisture conservation measures viz. staggered contour trenches (T1), continuous contour trenches (T2), stone mulch (T3), vegetative barriers (T4), control (T5) and fallow land (T6) since 2007. Recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) were added to all treatments, except T6. SOC concentration increased by ~51 and 31% in T1 and T2, respectively, over T5 in surface (0–15 cm) soil. Culturable bacterial and fungal populations increased by ~20 and 95% in T1 over T5 in surface soil. Activities of all soil enzymes increased in T1 and T2 (ranging from 42 to 289%) over T5 and T6 in both surface and sub-surface (15–30 cm) layers. However, specific activity of phenol oxidase was ~25% lower for T1 than T6, suggesting more efficient SOC sequestration in T1. Moreover, geometric mean enzyme activity of T1 was ~65 and 33% higher than T5 and T3, respectively, in surface soil. Treated soil quality index (T-SQI) of T1 was ~184% higher than T5. Soil functional diversity was also ~1.24 and 1.22 times higher in T1 and T2 than T5, respectively. Peroxidase was the major C degrading enzyme in this ecosystem. Protease, urease and phosphatase significantly influenced N and P availability along with fruit and pasture yields. Importantly, ~96, 62 and 82% variability of SOC, N and P concentrations, respectively, could be attributed to their corresponding enzyme activities. Principal components analysis (PCA) revealed one-way operational role of soil enzymes. Thus, enzymes are potentially important for recycling nutrients from litters, root biomass of fruit trees and grasses to boost their availability in the long run. Adoption of horti-pasture system combined with moisture conservation practices and staggered contour trenches or continuous contour trenches ensured higher above ground biomass yield, SOC, nutrient availability and soil quality. Thus, long-term use of these practices could be recommended for reclamation and improving soil health and crop productivity of degraded lands of central India.

Degraded land restoration ecological way through horti‐pasture systems and soil moisture conservation to sustain productive economic viability

AbstractAlternate land uses that restore ecological balance with economic viability are desirable. Alternate land uses, that is, horti‐pasture systems (HPSs) with Emblica officinalis and Psidium guajava trees and pasture (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes seabrana), were introduced with different soil moisture conservation measures (staggered contour trenches [T1], continuous contour trenches [T2], stone mulch [T3], vegetative barriers [T4], and control [T5]) for reclamation of degraded land and to test their capacity to perform ecological functions and provide economic return to the farmers. After 10 years, T1 increased soil organic carbon by ~58% and 15% over control in Emblica‐ and Psidium‐based HPS, respectively. T1 stipulated fruit and pasture yield by ~45% and 90% and 32% and 22% over control plots, in those HPS, respectively; T1 also improved fodder and fruit quality. Changing climates significantly affected the fruit and pasture yield. Despite this, T1 assured a benefit–cost ratio of 3.78 and 4.23 in those HPSs, respectively. The sustainable yield index for fruit and pasture in T1 were approximately (a) 1.85 and 1.68 and (b) 1.33 and 1.25 times higher than control, for Emblica‐ and Psidium‐based HPS, respectively. Soil moisture conservation could enhance profit by ~30% and 20% in those HPSs, respectively over control. T1 can potentially recycle approximately (a) 83%, 77%, and 71% and (b) 62%, 122%, and 81% higher N, P, and K than control in those HPSs, respectively. Thus, Emblica‐ and Psidium‐based HPS with staggered trenching could be replicated on a wide scale to enhance income, ensure fodder supply, and improve degraded land.

Increased water use efficiency for higher yield and quality in guava under rainfed conditions through in situ soil moisture conservation

Field experiments were conducted to standardize in situ soil and moisture conservation measures in rainfed guava production. Mulching with polythene enhanced soil moisture (upto 111%) and the impact was much visible for longer periods (160 days) after cessation of rainfall. Further, higher soil organic carbon built up (from 0.68 to 0.92% O.C. over a period of three years) was observed with polythene mulching. It was also reflected in the nitrogen content of the soil which increased from 109.4 to 354.8 kg/ha during three years period. Polythene mulching with raised soil around the root zone showed 39.8% higher fruit yield in guava over control on three years pooled mean basis. The treatment recorded 12.30 t/ha at sixth year of guava planting. Mulching with polythene although recorded slightly lower gross returns (Rs.6, 19, 870/ha), recorded higher benefit cost ratio (1: 5.25) and was followed by mulching with enriched coir pith (1: 4.83).

Long-term effect of in-situ soil moisture conservation (SMC) measures on soil properties in Emblica officinalis based agroforestry system

Long-term effect of <i>in-situ</i> soil moisture conservation (SMC) measures on soil properties in <i>Emblica officinalis</i> based agroforestry system

Effect of moisture conservation measures on runoff, soil loss and yield of crops

A study was undertaken in sub-humid southern plain zone and Aravalli hills of Rajasthan at Changedi, Udaipur to assess the effect of vegetative as well as mechanical measure on runoff, soil loss and productivity of crops. The six treatments consisted of sowing along the slope, sowing along the earthern bund in cross section of 0.2 m2 at 30 m horizontal interval (HI), contour sowing along the vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), Munj (Saccharum munja), lemon (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Mehandi (Lawsonia inermis) grass key line with ‘V’ ditch in cross section of 0.09m2 at 30 m HI. The plot size of each treatment was 2, 200 m2 with slope length of 90 m having a uniform slope of per cent. The runoff and soil loss were highest in sowing along the slope while these were lowest under sowing across slope during all the years. Among various treatments sowing along the earthern bund and contour sowing along lemon/Munj/vetiver grass key line resulted in lowest runoff and soil loss thus resulted in significantly higher grain yield of maize and guar.

Efficient Water Management in Sugarcane with Composted Coir Pith and Sugarcane Trash Under Tropical Indian Conditions

A field experiment on water management with composted coir pith and sugarcane trash under two irrigation levels (100 and 75% of recommended level of irrigation) with the aim of assessing performance of bud chip settling in 150 × 45 and 150 × 60 cm spacing was conducted in split-plot design at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, during 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016. The soil of the experimental site was sandy clay in texture, taxonomically classified as typic haplustalf, low in organic carbon, medium in available N and available P and fairly high in K, slightly alkaline in reaction with normal electrical conductivity. The prevailing climatic condition during experimentations represented tropical Indian conditions, wherein mean temperature ranged in between 21.24 and 33.10 °C with a mean relative humidity of 54.58–85.5%. As against the normal rainfall of 674.2 mm, only 356, 537 and 679 mm of rainfall was received during 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 crop seasons indicating the erratic behaviour of rainfall. The results revealed that application of 10 t/ha composted coir pith or 5 t/ha of sugarcane trash in furrow at the time of planting and scheduling irrigation in sugarcane at 75% of recommended level of irrigation saved 387, 344 and 255 mm irrigation water; in addition, it gave higher irrigation water use efficiency (0.82 t/ha/cm), net returns (99,039 Rs/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (1.79) over scheduling irrigation at 100% level. Further it was also observed that setts planting at 90 cm recorded 15.47 and 25% higher cane yield than bud chip settling planting at 150 × 45 and 150 × 60 cm, respectively. Amongst two soil moisture conservation measures, i.e. composted coir pith and trash, application tried in sugarcane conserved soil moisture efficiently and recorded higher soil moisture by 8.10 and 7.62% and cane yield 19.59 and 12.91%, respectively, over the control. Planting bud chip settling at 150 × 45 cm spacing was found superior over bud chip settling planting at 150 × 60 cm spacing. Hence for efficient water management in sugarcane under tropical Indian condition, use of composted coir pith @ 10 or 5 t/ha of chopped trash with 75% of recommended level of irrigation in bud chip settling (150 × 45 cm) planting is recommended.

Performance of different in-Situ soil &amp; moisture Conservation measures on establishment and productivity of aonla based hortipasture systems in Semi-Arid region of Central India

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of soil and moisture conservation measures on establishment performance of Aonla based hortipasture system in in semi-arid regionsof central India during 2007–2012. This experiment consisted with five in-situ soil and water conservation measures viz., contour staggered trenches (T1), continuous contour trenches (T2), deep basin stone mulch (T3), vegetative barriers (P. maximum) (T4) and control(T5) with Aonla (Cv. NA-7 + Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata). The contour staggered trenches had significant effect on survival, plant height, collar diameter, canopy spread and productivity followed by continuous contour trenches, vegetative barriers. Fruit yield was 65, 39.7, and 28.3% higher with (T1), (T2) and (T3) than control. Contour staggered trenches also produced significant higher dry matter yield (6.04 t DM/ha) followed by continuous contour trenches (5.43 t DM/ha) during study period.

Prediction of soil moisture scarcity using sequential Gaussian simulation in an arid region of China

Soil moisture plays a vital role in maintaining the sustainability of dryland ecosystems. Accurately predicting soil moisture scarcity (SMS) has an important interest of guidance to soil and water conservation. In this study, we gathered a time series of soil moisture measurements throughout the growing season (from April to October) in an area of approximately 100km2 in a desert oasis of northwestern China. Sequential Gaussian simulation was applied to investigate the spatial variability and scarcity of soil moisture across multiple land use types. Soil moisture exhibited considerable spatial heterogeneity with different magnitudes of spatial dependence at different times. Two hundred simulated realizations depicted the possible spatial variations of soil moisture in the geographic space. SMS was characterized as the natural event that occurred when the spatial probability of soil moisture not exceeding 0.15cm3cm−3 was greater than a critical threshold. With the increasing of probability thresholds, the proportion of SMS locations in each land use decreased at different rates. Given the spatial probability threshold of 0.6, 1.3–3.8% of the cultivated land, 2.6–5.2% of the forest land, 3.2–4.6% of the grassland, and 2.7–7.4% of the shrub land were of SMS during the measuring period. The newly cultivated land and the ecotone of desert and oasis were the major regions SMS occurred. Some soil moisture conservation measures such as precision irrigation should be taken to prevent the probable land degradation and agricultural disasters in these areas. The prediction of SMS using stochastic simulation contributes to improving soil water management in the oasis and provides a methodology reference for similar studies in risk analysis.

Seed priming and in situ moisture conservation measures in increasing adaptive capacity of rain-fed upland rice to moisture stress at Eastern Himalayan Region of India

In the uplands of Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR) of India, dry-seeded rain-fed rice occupies considerable area. However, productivity of rice in this region is very low and is mainly due to frequent occurrence of intermittent soil moisture stress, weed infestation, and poor crop establishment. Keeping this in view, a field experiment on rain-fed direct-seeded rice was conducted during two consecutive years 2011 and 2012 at the EHR of India (27° 95′N latitude and 94° 76′E longitude, 662 m above MSL) to evaluate the effect of seed priming (SP) with different durations (0, 12, 18, and 24 h) and in situ furrows at various row intervals as moisture conservation measures (MCM) on seed germination, plant stand, profile moisture recharge, rice productivity, water and energy use efficiency, and harvest monetary benefits. Results revealed that SP for 24 h duration significantly (p < 0.05) improved the seed germination and crop stand, rice grain yield by 30–36 %, water use efficiency by 29–36 %, and energy productivity by 15–22 %. In situ furrows at regular and alternate row intervals also registered 1.89–3.2-fold increase in profile moisture recharge, 20–34 % higher rice productivity, 23–33 % improvement in water use efficiency, and 6–16 % increase in energy productivity over without MCM. Seed priming helped in improving seed germination, seedling establishment, and plant stand, while MCM was useful in mid-season rainfall capture and profile moisture recharge during intermittent moisture stress for better plant growth. However, adoption of in situ furrows (regular and alternate row intervals) as MCM increased the cost of cultivation by 13–27 % over normal practices but was compensated by the significant increase in grain yield, water use efficiency, benefit:cost ratios, and farmers’ profit.