Semi-arid Region Of Rajasthan Research Articles

Assessment of hydrological and hydrochemical vulnerability of groundwater in semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

The aim of this study was to provide the overall assessment and identification of vulnerable area using the quantitative, qualitative and socio-economic assessment of groundwater resources in Kishangarh Tehsil of Ajmer district, Rajasthan, India. In quantitative assessment, the runoff and net recharge was estimated using the Soil Conservation Service Curve Number (SCN-CN) and water balance methods, respectively. While qualitative assessment was performed by conducting groundwater sampling and analyzing the different hydrochemical parameters. Finally, socio-economic assessment (SEA) was done by gathering information through questionnaire survey focused on groundwater issues with the native people. All three assessments were integrated to evaluate groundwater resource vulnerability. The water balance of area shows very low recharge rate, even during the monsoon season. The soil in the area has only a 0.04% total annual net recharge coefficient and extremely high concentrations of copper, and fluoride, as well as high salinity, and hardness. The hydro-geochemical condition of the drinking water was extremely worse. PCA analysis indicates that an increase in first principal component was associated with the increase in copper and chromium, while the increase in second component was linked to the increase in fluoride, iron and cadmium. Sampling locations tends to be clustered into three quadrants of the Cartesian plane. This suggests an increase in contamination when moving along the bisecting line away from the origin of the Cartesian plane. The groundwater from the location of the first group (Ankauriya, Sinodiya, Nosal, and Jajota) tends to be highly polluted because of the parameters of both first and second components. Furthermore, socio-economic assessment also reported that the groundwater resources showed high vulnerability. This study may help in planning groundwater management strategies and technological approaches for the sustainable natural resources development.

Estrus Induction and Artificial Insemination in Acyclic Ewes under Field Conditions of Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan

Estrus Induction and Artificial Insemination in Acyclic Ewes under Field Conditions of Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan

The ability of two fungi to dissolve hardly soluble phosphates in solution

ABSTRACTLow phosphorus availability in soil is one of the major causes that hamper crop yield. The main objectives of this work were to isolate efficient phosphate-solubilising strains from semi-arid soil and to check their efficiency to solubilise different inorganic phosphorus forms (viz., dicalcium phosphate (DCP), tricalcium phosphate and Udaipur rock phosphate) at different temperatures. Initially, 40 strains were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Sesamum indicum grown in semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India, of which 24 isolates showed phosphate-solubilising ability. Further, screening of these isolates for their phosphate solubilisation efficiency in solid media and broth led to the selection of two most competent isolates viz. SI32 and SI39. Both the isolates were effective in solubilising phosphorus at wide range of temperatures with different inorganic insoluble phosphorus sources. Amongst various insoluble phosphate sources tested, DCP was solubilised the most at all the temperatures but the performance was especially good in the range of 25–35°C.

GIS-based assessment of non-equilibrium pattern between groundwater recharge and irrigation draft in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

Over-exploitation of groundwater for irrigation can result in drastic reduction in groundwater level in Jodhpur district of western Rajasthan, India. In this study, we used the long-term trend analysis of seasonal groundwater level data to predict the future groundwater scenario in 33 villages of Jodhpur district, assessed the impact of water harvesting structures on groundwater recharge and explored the non-equilibrium between groundwater recharge and irrigation draft in the study area. Analysis of groundwater level data from 26 observation wells in 33 villages in the pre-monsoon period showed that groundwater level decreased continuously at the rate of 2.07 m/a. With this declining rate, most of the tube wells (including the well with the maximum depth of 193 m) are predicted to become completely dry by 2050. Behavior of temporal groundwater level data in the study period (from 2004 to 2012) can be explained by different geospatial maps, prepared using ArcGIS software. Statistical analysis of the interpolated maps showed that the area with the maximum positive groundwater recharge occupied 63.14% of the total area during 2010–2011 and the area with the maximum irrigation draft accounted for 56.21% of the total area during 2011–2012. Higher groundwater recharge is attributed to the increase in rainfall and the better aquifer condition. Spatial distribution for the changes of average groundwater recharge and draft (2008–2009 and 2011–2012) showed that 68.50% recharge area was in positive change and 45.75% draft area was in negative change. It was observed that the area of the irrigation draft exceeded that of the groundwater recharge in most of the years. In spite of the construction of several shallow water harvesting structures in 2009–2010, sandstone aquifer zones showed meager impact on groundwater recharge. The best-fit line for the deviation between average groundwater fluctuation due to recharge and irrigation draft with time can be represented by the polynomial curve. Thus, over-exploitation of groundwater for agricultural crops has result in non-equilibrium between groundwater recharge and irrigation draft.

Productivity and Suitability Evaluation of Orange (Citrus reticulata)-Growing Soils of Hot and Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan (AESR 5.2)

Fourteen pedons were evaluated for their productivity and suitability on the basis of variation in physiography, parent materials, soils and productivity of orange in Jhalawar district of Rajasthan. The pedons were developed by sandstone and shale (P1-P6) and basalt parent materials (P7–14) in Vindhyan and Malwa region, respectively and classified as Vertisols (P3, P5, P7-P13) and Inceptisols (P1, P2, P4, P6 and P14). In general, sand silt and clay contents ranged from 3.4 to 48.1, 27.8 to 71.0 and 18.6 to 60.9% in different horizons, respectively. The soils were calcareous and moderately alkaline to strongly alkaline in reaction and sub-soil sodicity is just arising mostly in soils of Malwa region (P3, P9 and P12). The organic carbon ranged from 0.36 to 9.13 g kg−1 and cation exchange capacity from 22.5 to 62.5 cmol(p+)kg−1 soil. The soils were low to optimum in available N and K and low to excess in available P. The Riquier productivity index appears to be more reliable as compared to Storie index and these ratings are not in reliance with the Sys and proposed suitability criteria and yield of orange realized. On computation of the existing limitations, a new criterion has been proposed (against Sys suitability criteria for citrus species) which indicated that P2, P3, P7, P9, P10, P11 and P12 were moderately suitable, P1, P4-P6, P8, P13 and P14 were suitable for orange production.

Technical efficiency of fenugreek production in the semi arid region of Rajasthan, India: A stochastic frontier approach

This paper examines the technical efficiency of fenugreek production in Rajasthan and also identifies key variables affecting technical efficiency using primary data collected from 120 randomly selected fenugreek cultivating farmers by applying a stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The results obtained in an empirical model indicated that mean technical efficiency of all categories of farmers was 70%. This suggests that still there is scope for increasing the output by 30% with the same level of input uses. Small farmers were found to be more efficient in terms of judicious and timely application of irrigation and fertilizers as well as reaping more yields. Around 50% of the farmers attained a technical efficiency more than 80% because of employing the uniform cultivation practices. The results of the technical inefficiency effects model suggest that age, education and contact with extension agencies positively influenced technical efficiency of fenugreek cultivation. Key words: Cobb-Douglas production function, fenugreek cultivation, semi-arid region, stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), technical efficiency.

Genetic diversity of a nucleus flock of Malpura sheep through pedigree analyses

Malpura sheep is one of the heaviest sheep breed of India, known for its adaptability to harsh environment and potential for high meat production. It is distributed in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. The pedigree information estimated by the number of equivalent generation traced was good (7.21). For reference cohort, effective number of founders (fe) was 58, representing 29.15% of the potential number of founders. The effective number of ancestors (fa) was 36 and the genetic contribution of the 13 most influent ancestors explained 50% of the genetic variability in reference cohort. The realised effective population size of the flock was 91.74±2.02. The ratio fe/fa which expresses the effect of population bottlenecks was 1.61. The average inbreeding coefficient for reference population was 3.32%. The average relatedness coefficient between individuals of the reference population was 5.10%. The generation interval was lowest for ram daughter pathway (2.72 years) and highest for ewe to son (4.13 years). Study revealed non-significant effect of individual inbreeding or change in inbreeding on the lamb live weights. Introduction of new sires with the lowest possible average relatedness coefficient and the use of appropriate mating strategies are recommended to keep inbreeding at acceptable levels and increase the genetic variability.

Rainwater Harvesting to Augment Groundwater Levels: A Case Study

A rainwater harvesting structure in Rajsamand district in semi-arid region of Rajasthan was evaluated by rainfallwater level dynamics, surface-ground water interaction and potential/actual groundwater recharge. Daily rainfall and evaporation, water level of the water harvesting structure, weekly groundwater levels of ten wells and pre- and post-monsoon groundwater quality were monitored during 2007-10, and analysed. Results indicated that rainfall had strong influence on the surface water and groundwater levels. Groundwater quality was found to be satisfactory for drinking and irrigation purposes. The potential recharge rate in the area was 1 m.day-1. However, the actual groundwater recharge varied from 4.3 to 30.4 cm (8.3-26.1% of monsoon rainfall). Thus, the study reaffirmed that rainwater harvesting structures have adequate potential in rainwater recharging to augment the groundwater levels in the study area.

Estimation of extracellular lipase enzyme produced by thermophilic bacillus sp. isolated from arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

AbstractThermophilic organisms can be defined as microorganisms which are adapted to live at high temperatures. The enzymes produce by thermophilic bacteria are capable of catalyzing biochemical reactions at high temperatures. Thermophilic bacteria are able to produce thermostable lipase enzymes capable of degradation of lipid at temperatures higher than those of mesophilic bacteria. Therefore, the isolation of thermophilic bacteria from natural sources and their identification are quite useful in terms of discovering thermophilic lipase enzymes. Due to great temperature fluctuation in hot arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, this area could serve as a good source for new thermophilic lipase producing bacteria with novel industrially important properties. The main objective of this research is the isolation and estimation of industrially important thermophilic lipase enzyme produced by thermophilic bacteria, isolated from arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan. For this research purpose, soil samples were collected from Churu, Sikar and Jhunjunu regions of Rajasthan. A total of 16 bacterial strains were isolated, and among these bacterial isolates only two thermophilic lipase producing bacteria were identified. The thermophilic lipase enzyme was estimated by qualitative and quantitative experiments. The isolate was identified as Bacillus sp. by microscopic, biochemical and molecular characterization. The optimum enzyme activity was observed at pH 8, temperature 60°C and 5% salt concentration at 24 hrs time duration. Lipases are useful in a variety of biotechnological fields such as food and dairy (cheese ripening, flavour development), detergent, pharmaceutical (naproxen, ibuprofen), agrochemical (insecticide, pesticide) and oleochemical (fat and oil hydrolysis, biosurfactant synthesis) industries. Lipases can be further used in many newer areas where they can serve as potential biocatalysts.

Estimation of extracellular lipase enzyme produced by thermophilic bacillus sp. isolated from arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

Estimation of extracellular lipase enzyme produced by thermophilic bacillus sp. isolated from arid and semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

Diagnosis of Micronutrient Imbalance in Lime Crop in Semi-arid Region of Rajasthan, India

Low and unstable fruit yield, poor quality of fruits, and excessive fruit dropping are major problems in a lime crop and are due to either micronutrient deficiencies or nutrient imbalance. A study was conducted to assess the micronutrient status in a lime orchard at the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (CSWCRTI)’s research farm in Kota, Rajasthan, India. Plant and soil samples were collected during September and October in 2006–2007. The micronutrients extracted with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) in soils were in the order of manganese (Mn) > iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu). The mean values of DTPA Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu in surface soils varied from 13.98 to 22.70, 2.48 to 8.66, 0.79 to 1.19, and 0.14 to 0.46 mg kg−1, respectively, whereas in subsurface soils they varied from 12.94 to 23.06, 4.84 to 6.52, 0.51 to 0.83, and 0.07 to 0.20 mg kg−1, respectively. Results reveal that except for Fe, the other DTPA-extractable micronutrients decreased with depth. Total Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu in plant leaves varied from 22 to 83, 70 to 630, 40 to 932, and 37 to 3057 mg kg−1, respectively, indicating greater or toxic concentrations of total micronutrient in leaf samples. Total Mn, Fe, Zn, and Cu in petiole samples varied from 7 to 60, 235 to 574, 70 to 827, and 101 to 2623 mg kg−1, respectively. High concentration of Cu and Zn in leaves resulted in Fe and Mn deficiencies (exhibited as leaf chlorosis) in lime plants. Results of the study indicated that Fe and Mn deficiencies are major disorders in lime plantation. Similarly, the measure of DTPA-extractable micronutrients showed the low statuses of Fe and Cu and marginal status of Zn in soils along the Chambal region.

Scope of Indirect Selection for Wool Traits in Bharat Merino Sheep in Semi Arid Region of Rajasthan

Gowane, G.R., Chopra, A., Prince, L.L.L. and Arora, A.L. 2010. Scope of indirect selection for wool traits in Bharat Merino sheep in semi arid region of Rajasthan. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 37: 97–100. Estimates of covariance components along with genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlation were obtained for different wool traits, viz. greasy fleece yield (GFY), staple length at six month (SL), medullation percentage (MED) and, fiber diameter (FD) in Bharat Merino Sheep developed and maintained at the Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, India. Twenty years data were analyzed by restricted maximum likelihood, (REML) fitting univariate and bivariate animal models. Additive genetic variability for all the traits was low except greasy fleece yield (h2 = 0.16). Permanent environmental variance as a proportion of phenotypic variance (c2) for GFY was 0.26. Genetic correlation between GFY and SL was 0.21, between SL and MED 0.19 and SL and FD 0.20. For further genetic improvement in this breed, MED and FD should be kept restricted at present level (MED: 18.08μ and FD: 1.25%) and emphasis should be given on GFY and SL, which are positively (favorably) associated with each other.

Soil biological properties under different tree based traditional agroforestry systems in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

An investigation was carried out in an Entisol at farmers’ field in Jaipur district, Rajasthan, India during 2002–2004 to evaluate the effect of traditionally grown trees on soil biological characteristics. Traditionally grown trees in farm lands for study consisted of Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) and Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. having a canopy diameter of 8 m. Results revealed significant and substantial improvement in soil biological activity in terms of microbial biomass C, N and P, dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activity under different tree based agroforestry systems as compared to a no tree control (cropping alone). Soil microbial biomass C, N and P under agroforestry varied between 262–320, 32.1–42.4 and 11.6–15.6 μg g−1 soil, respectively, with corresponding microbial biomass C, N and P of 186, 23.2 and 8.4 μg g−1 soil under a no tree control. Fluxes of C, N and P through microbial biomass were also significantly higher in P. cineraria based land use system followed by D. sissoo, A. leucophloea and Acacia nilotica in comparison to a no tree control. Thus, it is concluded that agroforestry system at farmers’ field enhance soil biological activity and amongst trees, P. cineraria based system brought maximum and significant improvement in soil biological activity.

Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India

Litterfall and decomposition are the two main processes accounting for soil enrichment in agroforestry. The extent of enrichment in soil properties depends on the tree species, management practices and the quantity and quality of litter. A field investigation was carried out to study litterfall production, decay rates, release of nutrients and consequent changes in soil physicochemical properties under crowns of four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) in irrigated conditions in farm fields. The species were Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. and Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Annual accretion of litter ranged from 36 to 54 kg tree−1 year−1 and was highest under D. sissoo and lowest under A. nilotica. Total litterfall production was in the order: P. cineraria > A. leucophloea > A. nilotica > D. sissoo. P. cineraria showed the highest NPK concentration in litter. For all MPTs, a large pulse of litterfall coincided with the winter season (November to February). Litter of P. cineraria decomposed fastest while that of A. nilotica was slowest. More than 95% of the leaf litter of P. cineraria decomposed in 6 months, of D. sissoo in 7 months and A. leucophloea and A. nilotica in 9 months. Decomposition rate of litter was highly correlated with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (r = −0.94) and P (r = −0.91) concentration. N, P and K release were best correlated with NDF, acid detergent fibre (ADF), P, lignin, lignin/N and C/P ratios and NDF alone explained 88% to 94% of the variability in litter decomposition and nutrient release rates. There was significant build up of soil organic carbon and available NPK in the agrisilvicultural systems but also a decrease in soil pH. Build up in soil fertility was significantly correlated with litterfall and soil improvement was greatest under P. cineraria.

Carbon stock and organic carbon dynamics in soils of Rajasthan, India

Soil carbon stock (CS), was estimated in the 0–25 and 0–100 cm soil depths of arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. Carbon stock was 2.13 Pg in the 0–100 cm soil depth, of which 1.23 Pg was soil organic carbon and 0.90 Pg was soil inorganic carbon. The surface horizon (0–25 cm) stored 31% of the soil carbon stock. Soil carbon stocks were higher in Entisols (0.72 Pg or 33.6% of CS on 43.6% of the land area) and Aridisols (0.70 Pg or 32.7% of CS on 28.9% of the land area) than in Inceptisols (0.61 Pg or 28.6% of CS on 24.01% of the land area), Alfisols (0.015 Pg or 0.007% of CS on 0.76% of the land area) and Verisols (0.105 Pg or 0.005% of the CS on the 3.2% of the land area). Torripsamments, Haplocambids and Haplustepts together held 80% of CS and 86.9% of soil organic carbon stock, whereas Haplocambids, Petrocalcids and Haplustepts comprised 72% inorganic carbon stock. Soil organic carbon density (SOC) ranged from 4000 to 7000 kg/km 2 in Haplustalfs, Haplusterts, Haplustepts and Torripsamments, while its inorganic counterpart (SIC) was of higher range (10,000–19,000 kg/km 2) in Petrocalcids, Haplocalcids, Halpogypsids and Torrifluents. Under scrub vegetation of semi-arid Rajasthan the mean SOC in the 0–25 cm and 0–100 cm depths were 170 and 203.9 kg/km 2, respectively. In the arid region with similar situation the mean SOC was 5.5 and 14.0 kg/km 2, respectively. Excessive tillage and intensive cultivation in semi-arid region reduced soil organic carbon density from 60 kg/km 2 under single cropping to 10.5 kg/km 2 under double cropping. Subsistence farming in the arid region maintained 47 kg/km 2 SOC under croplands. SOC declined regularly from 1975 to 2002 in the arid region. A multiple linear regression model that includes rainfall together with tillage, silt, clay, available water capacity (AWC) and period of canopy cover accounted for 97% of the variation in soil organic carbon density for arid regions. The regression model further pointed out that a 4200–4600 kg/km 2/year SOC could be sequestered in untilled soils of the arid region, which have year-round canopy cover.

Planning and Design of Cost-effective Water Harvesting Structures for Efficient Utilization of Scarce Water Resources in Semi-arid Regions of Rajasthan, India

Water-harvesting structures have the potential to increase the productivity of arable lands by enhancing crop yields and by reducingthe risk of crop failure in arid and semi-arid regions, where water shortages are common because of scanty rainfall and its uneven distribution. In semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, India, existing practice of harvesting rainwater is through anicut and earthen embankments. Because of higher costs and higher technical skills involved in the construction of these structures, these structures have not been accepted by the resource-poor local people. Therefore, in the present paper, the detailed design of some low-cost water-harvesting structures using locally available materials and adaptable to the socio-economic conditions of the beneficiaries is discussed. Two types of cost-effective water-harvesting structures, which include dry stone masonry and upstream-wall cement masonry of heights 1, 2, and 2.5 m for catchments of less than 10, 10 to 20, and 20 to 30 ha, respectively are proposed and designed. The analysis of costs involved in constructing dry stone masonry and upstream-wall cement masonry water-harvesting structures, emergency spillway, anicuts and earthen embankments revealed that the earthen embankments have the least cost of construction whereas the anicuts have the highest construction costs for all the selected heights. However, based on the past experiences, earthen embankments are not suitable for the semi-arid regions of Rajasthan. The economic evaluation of the proposed structures indicated that the dry stone masonry structures are very cost-effective for the region with a benefit-cost ratio of 3.5:1 and the net present worth value of Rs. 102978. Although the economic indicators ranked the upstream-wall cement masonry structures lower than the dry stone masonry structures, the former has greater stability and strength compared to the latter. In practice, both the cost-effective water-harvesting structures (i.e., dry stone masonry and upstream-wall cement masonry) are gaining wide acceptance and popularity in the region through some nongovernmental organizations, which have adopted the design presented in this paper.

Influence of planting pattern and sulphur on mungbean (Vigna radiata) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) intercropping under semi-arid region of Rajasthan

The study was carried out during kharif season of 2009 to study the effect of different intercropping systems and sulphur levels on mungbean [ Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and sesame ( Sesamum indicum L.). Among the dif- ferent row ratios, sole planting of both the crops gave significantly maximum seed yield and uptake of nutrients. The highest productivity in terms of mungbean equivalent yield (1.21 t/ha) was obtained under sole mungbean, which remained on par with mungbean + sesame grown in 4:1 ratio. Mungbean + sesame grown in 4:1 ratio also gave significantly highest land equivalent ratio. Application of increasing levels of sulphur up to 30 kg S/ha re- corded significantly highest seed yield of mungbean. However, significant improvement in seed yield of sesame, total uptake of nitrogen and sulphur by mungbean and sesame, protein content in seed of mungbean, oil content in seed of sesame, mungbean equivalent yield and land equivalent ratio were observed up to 45 kg S/ha.

Fuelwood and fodder extraction and deforestation: mainstream views in India discussed on the basis of data from the semi-arid region of Rajasthan

The assumption that fuelwood and fodder extraction leads to deforestation has so far been the dominant mainstream view in deforestation discourses accepted by researchers, state agencies and conservationists. These mainstream views on deforestation ignore the local-specific strategies, which include substitution of crop residues and animal dung for fuelwood, changing livestock composition that reduces dependency on natural forest and local informal institutions that regulate the resource exploitation. Communities adjacent to forests mostly use dry wood as fuelwood and grasses for fodder that normally does not involve cutting of trees. Household fuelwood and fodder extraction patterns in villages in and out of the Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), Rajasthan, India, were therefore analyzed. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 180-sample households, followed by field observations and focus group discussions in 37 villages. Certain household characteristics and distance to the source of fuelwood and fodder point to the role of opportunity cost as a determinant of biomass extraction. Fuelwood and fodder extraction may not be the major reason for deforestation. However, state agencies find it convenient to use the mainstream views related to deforestation and exclude local communities from forests and protected areas. Local people would prefer that their access rights to resources should continue. Co-management of forests involving local people and institutions, and restoration of their rights may help to resolve conflicts related to resource use and lead to a better management of natural resources.

Seasonal variation in primary production in relation to some limnological features in Lakhotia lake (India)

The primary production of lake Lakhotia in the semiarid region of Rajasthan, India is reported. The results are compared with other tropical and temperate water bodies. Primary production revealed positive relationship between water temperature and chlorophyli-a. High production was observed when temperatures ranged from 27–33° C.

Accession and origin of certain ions found in rainwater over the Indian desert

Monsoon rainwater collected at five different stations in the arid and semiarid regions of Rajasthan, displayed large local and monthly variations in electrical conductivity (EC) and in concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride. The extent of these variabilities was determined from results obtained over three years. Total accession of ions is related to the amount of precipitation, while correlations between EC and ions, as well as between different ions, indicated among other things, the occurrence of sodium chloride in the rainwater. Ionic ratios implied that terrestrial, rather than oceanic salts, are the principal source of dissolved ions.