Soil Moisture Conservation Practices Research Articles

Effects of Soil Moisture Conservation and Nutrient Management on Soil Water Content and WUE of Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in Eastern Ethiopia

Water and nutrients are the most constraining factors in sorghum production in semiarids of eastern Ethiopia. Combining soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices may reduce these limitations. The study was carried out to explore the effects of combining soil moisture preservation and integrated nutrient management practices on soil water content and water-use efficiency (WUE) of grain sorghum. A split plot experiment was conducted at Babile and Erer districts amid the 2017 cropping season. Main plots were assigned to soil moisture conservation practices (flatbed and tied ridge) and the sub-plots were assigned to six nutrient combinations of 0N0P kg + t FYM; 46N10P kg + t FYM ha-1; 0N0P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1; 23N5P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1; 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1. Treatments were randomized in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The sorghum variety 'Teshale' was used as a test crop. The results uncovered that both biomass and grain water-use efficiencies considerably improved with tied ridges coordinates with NP and FYM than other treatments. Tied ridges combined with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1 were way better than those of tied edges. The tied edges with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 (M5) as compared to unfertilized flatbeds, had brought about approximately 110 and 99% increment in biomass WUE and around 114 and 124% increment in grain WUE at Babile and Erer areas, respectively. Essentially, soil water content was higher for tied ridges amended with FYM and integrated NP and FYM as compared to other treatments. We, hence, concluded that combining moisture conservation impacts with the integrated nutrient amendment would improve soil water content and water-use efficiency of grain sorghum in eastern Ethiopia.

Effect of In-situ Soil Moisture Conservation Practices on Growth, Moisture Use Efficiency and Kusmi Lac Yield of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana) under Rainfed Condition in Jharkhand

Soil moisture conservation practices have favourable effect on surface soil moisture conditions and consequently on the crop growth. For commercial lac host plants, which are generally grown under rainfed condition, the importance of soil moisture conservation remains high especially during its establishment stage. A field experiment was carried out at Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums Farm, Ranchi, during 2005-2009 to find out the effect of different in-situ soil moisture conservation practices on plant growth and kusmi winter season lac yield of ber (Ziziphus mauritiana), which is one of the most important lac hosts alongside kusum (Schleichera oleosa) and palas (Butea monosperma). The moisture conservation treatments imposed were: half moon terracing, mulching with locally available grasses, compartmental bunding, cover crop (black gram)

Future Outlook of Dryland Crop Production Systems in the Semi-Arid High Plains Amid Climate Change

Dryland agriculture or dry farming is a type of crop production that relies on stored soil moisture and occasional rainfall without providing supplemental irrigation. Dryland agriculture is a predominant crop production system in the semi-arid High Plains of the United States where water resources are scarce, drought is frequent, and grain yields are low. Producers are struggling to balance their pest management needs with soil moisture conservation practices such as no or reduced tillage, as well as loss of efficacy for some herbicide chemistries. The predicted increase in dryland farming acreage due to increasing underground water resource limitations and climate change, it is prudent to understand major pest issues in dryland agriculture to develop research-lead solutions.

Water management and irrigation for bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development in the Papua New Guinea Highlands

Water is crucial for nutrient intake, transportation, temperature regulation, and photosynthesis in bulb onion (Allium cepa L.) growth and development. Water scarcity, caused by climate variability and particularly during prolonged dry periods, has proved to be an obstacle to cultivating bulb onions in the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Highlands. Farmers have a limited grasp of the interdependence of soil, water, and plants. They have traditionally depended on precipitation, and water from streams and rivers, to irrigate their bulb onion crops. The main method for providing irrigation support is manual irrigation, with agricultural organisations assisting with basic irrigation technologies. Despite farmers and organisations efforts to improve irrigation practices, the prolonged dry season still raises labour demands for bulb onion farms. Farmers’ lack of knowledge about irrigation technology and soil water conservation contributes to this issue. Moreover, the lack of irrigation suppliers worsens the issue of limited soil water in onion farms. This paper gives an overview of onion production in PNG, focusing on irrigation practices and constraints in the Highlands region. It aims to stress irrigation’s importance in crop growth and explore PNG’s irrigation methods and soil moisture conservation practices. There is a need for a sustainable irrigation and soil water conservation system that is easy to use and incorporates crop water requirements. This system is vital for watering onions and conserving soil moisture, promoting their growth and yield. In this context, the use of mulch and irrigation systems can preserve and enhance soil moisture during prolonged dry phases.

Potential of Moisture Conservation Practices to Improve Soil Properties and Nutrient Status of Robusta Coffee Plant

Soil moisture conservation practices (SMCPs) have been adopted in Uganda to adapt to the effects of climate variability. However, limited information exists on how conservation measures influence the physico-chemical properties of soil and coffee leaf nutrient concentrations. Thus, we determined the effects of selected SMCPs on the soil physio-chemical properties and leaf nutrient concentrations in Robusta coffee in a randomized incomplete block design, replicated three times, in Kituza, Uganda. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm depths, and analyzed in the laboratory following standard procedures for selected physio-chemical properties. Coffee leaf samples were picked from each treatment (open sun coffee (COSS), coffee cover crop, Desmodium intortum (CCS), coffee mulch, Miscanthidium violoceum (CMS), and coffee A. coriaria (ACS)). Bulk density was significantly (p < 0.001) the highest under ACS (1.61 gcm−3) and lowest under CCS (1.29 gcm−3), and it significantly (p < 0.001) increased with depth. The soil organic matter was higher than the optimum range of 1–3% at the 0–20 cm depth across different SMCPs, but within the optimum range at the 20–40 cm depth. Leaf nitrogen was significantly the highest under ACS (3.19%) and lowest under COSS (2.30%). Overall, the findings suggest that SMCPs improve the soil physio-chemical attributes and leaf nutrients for sustainable coffee productivity. However, ACS improved the leaf plant nutrition better compared to other SMCPs.

Productivity and profitability of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) under varied crop geometry and soil moisture conservation practices

Rice, a vital staple food, plays a critical role in ensuring food and nutrition security for millions of people. Rice production faces various challenges from both biotic and abiotic stresses, with soil moisture stress being a significant limitation, especially in rainfed upland ecologies. While crop improvement strategies have made progress in addressing abiotic stressors, the complex and diverse nature of these challenges requires a combination of crop improvement and agronomic interventions to stabilize rice productivity and profitability. To explore these factors, an experiment was conducted during the Kharif (rainy) season of 2019 at the instructional farm of the College of Agriculture in Kerala. The aim was to investigate how cropping patterns and in-situ soil moisture conservation practices impact the growth and yield of upland rice. The research employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), incorporating two distinct crop configurations and strategies for conserving soil moisture. The findings showed that paired-row planting in conjunction with live cowpea mulching, hydrogel application, and coir pith compost was superior in terms of crop growth, as evidenced by elevated Leaf Area Index (LAI) at 4.81 and increased dry matter production at 5.5 t/ha. Furthermore, this approach resulted in higher grain yield (3.8 t/ha), straw yield (7.7 t/ha), improved moisture content (29.12% at 60 days after sowing and 18.49% at physiological maturity), and reduced proline content (0.26 µmol/g FW). The maximized net returns of 62887 Rs/ha. and a Benefit-to-Cost (B:C) ratio of 1.8 was recorded for upland rice.

Effect of in situ soil moisture conservation practices on maize and its crop residue incorporation on yield and economics of succeeding transplanted rice Var. ADT 46

Crop residue incorporation is a key component of sustainable cropping systems. It reduces the adverse effects of residue burning and enhances soil fertility. Effective usage of crop residue in the field and proper management are required. With this background, a field experiment was conducted during 2020 – 21 in the maize-rice cropping sequence at Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu to find out the residual effect of different mulching practices adopted in preceding maize crop and maize stubble incorporation on the growth, yield and economics of transplanted rice Var. ADT 46. The field experiment was conducted in Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. In factor I, soil moisture conservation in preceding maize crop viz., mulching of sugarcane trash, water hyacinth, hydrogel and control were allotted. In factor II, different levels of maize crop stubble incorporation on rice viz., 0, 33, 66 and 100% were provided. Water hyacinth mulched plot (M3) to the preceding crop registered significantly (þ <0.05) higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns of succeeding rice. The lower values were observed in unmulched (M1) plot. With respect to maize crop stubble incorporation on rice crop, the incorporation of 66% (SI3) of maize stubble registered higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns. In the interaction effects, mulching with water hyacinth to preceding maize + maize crop stubble incorporation at 66% in rice crop (M3SI3) recorded significantly (þ <0.05) higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns than other treatments. The lowest values were recorded with an unmulched + 100% crop residue incorporated (M1SI4) plot. Mulching the preceding maize crop with water hyacinth at a rate of 12 t ha-1 and incorporating 66% maize stubble into the transplanted rice (M3SI3) had a remarkable yield advantage and financial rewards.

Effect of soil moisture conservation practices and foliar fertilization on the performance of hybrid maize (Zea mays) under Cauvery Delta Zone of India 

One of the crucial variables that affects the growth and yield of the maize crop is soil moisture. Soil mulching and foliar nutrition are significantly impacted by the absence of moisture in the soil, which has a favourable impact on the growth and yield of the crops. With this background, a field experiment was conducted during kharif 2020 at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India to maximize the productivity and profitability of maize by adopting various soil moisture conservation techniques and foliar fertilization. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. The experiment consisted of two factors comprising soil moisture conservation techniques viz., sugarcane trash, water hyacinth, hydrogel and control (no mulch plot), and foliar nutrient management practice at both knee high and tasseling stages using 19 : 19 : 19 1%, DAP 1%+MOP 1%, PPFM (Pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs) 1%, 19 : 19 : 19 1%+PPFM 1%, DAP 1%+MOP 1%+PPFM 1% and control (no foliar nutrition). Among the soil moisture conservation techniques, the results indicated that mulching with water hyacinth registered significantly higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns than other techniques. With regards to foliar nutrients, foliar application of DAP 1%+MOP 1%+PPFM 1% (F6) exhibited higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns than other foliar nutrient treatments. Therefore, integration of soil moisture conservation techniques and foliar nutrients, mulching with water hyacinth and foliar application of DAP 1%+MOP 1%+PPFM 1% (M3F6) significantly produced higher yield parameters, yield and economic benefits in maize cultivation.

English

Range pastures constitute the major source of livestock feeds throughout the year in the grazing areas of Uganda. However, pasture yields have been declining overtime, yet there is limited information on efforts of improving pasture productivity through soil moisture conservation and nutrient management. This study assessed soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices used by livestock farmers, sources of information, and constraints hindering adoption of the potential practices in range pasture management. Through simple random sampling, semi-structured questionnaires were administered to 250 livestock farmers in five districts in South-western Uganda. Agroforestry was the dominant soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practice used in the range pastures (87.6%). Farmers’ own knowledge was the major source of information (49.1%) while lack of information (67.2%) and lack of funds (61.1%) were the major constraints for farmers’ adoption of soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices. Therefore, this study recommends farmer participatory testing and adaptation of alternative practices alongside agroforestry, inclusion of soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices for range pastures in extension programs for livestock production and financial incentives to livestock farmers to boost their capacity to invest in soil management practices for sustainable production of range pastures.   Key words: Agroforestry, farmers’ knowledge, range pastures, soil management, sedentary pastoralism.

Influence of Different Moisture Conservation Practices and Crop Sequence on Direct Seeded Rice based Cropping System in Rainfed Ecosystem of Assam, India

Background: Land configuration decides the effectiveness of crop management practices and major land configuration practice includes raised bed preparation, ridges and furrows, broad bed furrows etc. The farmers’ practice of sowing in flatbed without proper land configuration, leads to poor growth and development of crops. A large portion of crop residues is burnt by the farmers in the fields to clear the left-over straw and stubbles. Conservation agriculture involving crop residue management can give new direction for sustaining productivity. The development issue of rainfed agriculture assumes critical importance in India due to slow growth and its impact on livelihood security of rural poor in India. Changes in crop establishment method in rice have significant implications in performing farm operations like tillage, seedbed preparations, transplanting, weeding and other intercultural operations including water management. The current study aimed to study the BF methods as land configuration including crop residue management in rainfed eco system in direct seeded rice based cropping system. Methods: In the field experiment during 2016-17 and 2017-18, different size of bed of Broad bed Furrow (BBF) including Flatbed was made manually consisting four replication. After final land preparation the experimental field was divided into four blocks and each block was divided in to six main plots to allocate the six soil moisture conservation practices randomly, for growing summer (direct seeded ahu rice), kharif (green gram) crops. The main plots were again divided in to four sub-plots to allocate the rabi crops randomly following a split-plot design. Incorporation of crop residues was done in the plots as per treatments. Result: The investigation resulted better performance of both the size of BBF beds as compared to flatbed method in respect of yield attributes and yield of the crops studied. Among the BBF, 60-30 cm size bed showed better than the BBF 120-30 cm size beds. The residue incorporation plots were shown comparatively better result than no residue incorporation treatments. The present study will be a contribution to the study of BBF particularly in pulse crops due to heavy rainfall received during kharif season in Assam.

Nitrogen Dynamics and Sweet Potato Production under Indigenous Soil Moisture Conservation Practices in the Leeward Kohala Field System, Hawai’i Island

Intensive cultivation of ‘uala (sweet potato) in the Leeward Kohala field system on Hawai’i Island supported substantial populations of Native Hawaiians prior to its abandonment in the 19th century. Productivity is influenced by the heterogeneity of the climate and biogeochemical soil characteristics across the substantial ecological gradient. Agricultural infrastructure and associated practices were developed to manage crop production eventuating from the variation in inter- and intra-annual rainfall. Mechanisms of sustaining soil nitrogen (N) are still unclear; however, a pronounced source of N is soil organic matter decomposition. This study investigated in situ the effects of indigenous Hawaiian mulching practices against two control treatments on soil moisture and temperature dynamics to facilitate N mineralization in soil mounds cultivated with ‘uala. Field experiments were set in two agricultural restoration plots with distinct climatic and soil characteristics. Data included soil moisture and temperature, soil and plant N, growth and development of ‘uala, and real-time weather data. Concurrently, N mineralization was also investigated under controlled conditions. All indigenous mulching treatments were found to significantly increase soil moisture, regulate temperature variation, and improve N availability compared to control. Differences in soil properties between treatments translated to significant differences in above-ground biomass. The data suggest that these differences would extend to tuber production, but the use of a long-gestation variety limited tuber production in the study. Increased temperatures in the controlled experiments were observed to increase inorganic N significantly, but less substantially than soil moisture. Indigenous practices in the region could have greatly mitigated plant stress due to moisture, temperature, and N availability, increasing productivity and reducing the variability of the Leeward Kohala Field System.

Influence of tied-ridge-furrow with inorganic fertilizer on grain yield across semiarid regions of Asia and Africa: A meta-analysis

BackgroundIn semiarid areas, low productivity of crops has been attributed to lack of appropriate soil moisture conservation practices since droughts and soil erosion are rampant in most areas of this region. Consequently, ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting is widely used in these regions across the globe. Despite ridge-furrow being widely practiced, tied-ridge-furrow has not been extensively adopted by small-scale farmers in semi-arid regions. Consequently, the effectiveness of tied-ridge-furrow as a viable method of increasing crop yield has received less attention.MethodologyFor large-scale implementation, a detailed assessment of how ridge furrow, tied–ridge-furrow with fertilizer, tied-ridge-furrow with mulching and tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer influence crop yield in different agro-environments under varying climatic conditions is needed. This study used the PRISMA guidelines to determine the impact of tied-ridge-furrow rainwater harvesting technique with mulching or fertilizer on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) grain yields.ResultsSorghum grain yield increased by 17% greater in tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer in comparison to flat planting. This may be due to increase in soil organic carbon in the region (9 g kg−1). Grain yield of millet significantly increased by 20–40% in Africa from 18 study observations in tied-ridge-furrow with fertilizer application as compared to tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer treatments. This might be due to the significant increase in total nitrogen by 13–42% in the soil at <50 mg kg−1 quantity which had an effect size of 469.14 [65.60, 872.67]. In terms of soil texture, grain yield of millet and sorghum significantly increased in heavy textured soils (clay loam, silt clay, and clay soils) with an effect size of 469.14 [65.60, 872.67] compared to light and medium-textured soils of zero effect sizes. Millet and sorghum grain yields in tied-ridge-furrow with mulching, on the other hand, were not significantly different from those in flat planting. This may be due to the mulching materials used in those tests.ConclusionIn view of yields of sorghum and millet increased significantly by 32% and 17% in tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer treatment compared to flat planting and tied-ridge-furrow with fertilizer treatment compared with tied-ridge-furrow without mulching or fertilizer treatment, respectively, this study recommend the use of fertilizers in a tied-ridge-furrow system to increase grain yield in semiarid areas compared to flat planting. Again, the study recommends more research on tied-ridge-furrow systems with other organic mulches and fertilizers in semiarid areas.

Effect of crop geometry and in situ soil moisture conservation practices on yield attributes and yield of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is the most widely grown crop in India. With the decreasing availability of water for irrigation, farmers are now switching towards water efficient production systems such as upland rice. Moisture stress at critical stages is one of the major reasons for low productivity of upland rice. So, the present study was conducted at college of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India. The experiment was conducted in RBD with nine treatments including two crop geometries viz., normal planting (20 cm x 10 cm) and paired row planting (10 cm x 10 cm) with 40 cm between paired rows, three rows of cowpea are grown in between two paired rows and in situ soil moisture conservation practices viz., live mulching of cowpea, hydrogel application and coirpith compost application were compared and analysed statistically on yield parameters and yield. Results revealed that, the treatment T9 (Paired row planting with live mulching of cowpea, hydrogel and coir pith compost application) favorably influenced the yield characters and yield of upland rice through proper conservation of moisture and improved availability of nutrients. The treatment T9 recorded the highest grain and straw yields of 3825 and 7700 kg ha-1 respectively with a harvest index (0.48) and was significantly superior to other treatments. It also recorded the highest moisture content in the soil as well as the maximum uptake and availability of nutrients.

Production potential of rainfed sorghum as influenced by in situ soil moisture conservation practices and FYM

Production potential of rainfed sorghum as influenced by in situ soil moisture conservation practices and FYM

Influence of soil moisture conservation practices and planting geometry on growth, yield and economics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of soil moisture conservation practices and plantinggeometry on growth, yield and economics of safflower under northern dry zone (Zone-3) of Karnataka. Tied ridges(1,061 kg/ha) and plant geometry of 45 x 20 cm (1,093 kg/ha) recorded significantly higher seed yield. Similar trendwas noticed with respect to gross returns and net returns.

Biometric observations of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) as influenced by cropping geometry and In situ soil moisture conservation practices

To study the influence of cropping geometry and in situ soil moisture conservation practices on biometric observations of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), an experiment was conducted at college of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala, India, The treatments were laid out in randomized block design. Altered cropping geometries like normal planting (20cm x 10cm) and paired row planting (10cm x 10cm) with 40 cm between paired rows, different in situ soil moisture conservation practices such as live mulching of cowpea, hydrogel application and coirpith application were studied and evaluated statistically on growth parameters like plant height (30 DAS, 60 DAS and harvest), number of tillers m-2 (60 DAS) leaf area index (60 DAS) and dry matter production (60 DAS, harvest). Results disclosed a significant difference in biometric observations and the treatment T9 (Paired row planting with live mulching of cowpea, hydrogel and coir pith application) showed the highest plant height (109.13 cm), the maximum number of tillers m-2 (349.67), leaf area index (4.34) and dry matter production (5546 kg ha-1).

Maximizing blue water use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum) through irrigation and mulching

A field study was conducted in sub-humid Eastern Ghats region of India to investigate the effect of different soil moisture conservation practices, viz. no-mulch (NM) as a control, ridge and furrow (RF), Gliricidia mulch (GM) and Lantana mulch (LM) on water productivity, and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under three levels of irrigation (CPE100 = 100%, CPE80 = 80% and CPE60 = 60% ). Total water use by wheat was 270.1–365.6 mm during 2016–17 and 210.4–302.5 mm during 2015–16. Averaging both years, wheat used was 88.35 mm (26.8%) and 44.9 mm (13.6%) more water at CPE100 over CPE60 and CPE80, respectively. Among the irrigation levels, higher water productivity (WP) was observed in CPE60 (13.6, 9.8 kg/m3) compared to CPE80 (12.8, 9.3 kg/m3) and CPE100 (11.3, 8.9 kg/m3) for both years, respectively. CPE60 resulted in 5.9 and 15.8% greater WP over CPE80 and CPE100, respectively. Mulching increased WP by 27.8% in GM and 23.3% in LM treatments compared to NM. Irrigation with mulching treatments, CPE60 + GM exhibited WP of 15.9 and 14.7 kg/m3, and CPE60 + LM WP of 11.0 and 10.6 kg/m3 during 2015–16 and 2016–17, respectively. On an average, mulching treatment produced additional total WP of 2.2–2.6 kg/m3, green WP of 0.5–0.7 kg/m3 and blue WP of 1.7–2.0 kg/m3 over NM. Thus CPE80+ GM could be successfully applied during post-monsoon (Rabi) season in wheat production allowing a water savings of 20% without any yield loss.

Yield, soil health and moisture status in bael (Aegle marmelos)-based hortipasture system in semi-arid ecosystem of India

A study was conducted from 2008–2009 to 2012–2013 to evaluate the performance of bael-based hortipasture (agroforestry) system under different soil moisture conservation practices in rainfed condition for optimization of system productivity and improvement in soil health. Two cultivars of bael, NB-9 and CISH B-2 were transplanted under square system of planting with 6 × 6 m spacing. The understorey of each plot was intercropped with perennial pastures (grass + range legume) viz; Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes seabrana to utilize interspaces available between rows. Tree growth, forage yield (green & dry), physico-chemical quality of bael fruit, nutrient buildup and moisture content were found to be better in different moisture conservation treatments over control (without treatment). During the fifth year, tree height (NB-9) ranges from 3.11 to 3.31 m and 2.99 to 3.42 m (CISH B-2) under different treatments. Collar diameter varied from 6.91 to 7.86 cm and 6.81 to 7.56 cm in NB-9 and CISH B-2, respectively. Tree canopy (EW) varied from 1.94 to 2.49 m and 1.68 to 2.17 m and canopy spread (NS) ranges from 1.84 to 2.21 m and 1.85 to 2.28 m in cultivars NB-9 and CISH B-2, respectively. Green and dry forage yield was found to be maximum in staggered trenches (17.88 t/ha and 5.78 tDM/ha). Fruit yield in NB-9 varied from 1.14 to 2.41 t/ha and cultivar CISH B-2 gave 1.74 t/ha fruit yield in staggered trench and 1.11 t/ha in control. Increased Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potash buildup in soil of experimental site ranged from 3.84 to 15.16%, 7.05 to 21.1% and 4.73 to 15.53%, respectively. Moisture content in staggered trench was 37.08% (at 15 cm depth) and 33.51% (at 30 cm depth) higher than control. Overall productivity of fruit and pasture increased with application of in situ moisture conservation treatments in bael-based hortipasture system. Results revealed that bael-based hortipasture system is a potential agroforestry model for degraded land.

Enhancing Water and Phosphorus Use Efficiency Through Moisture Conservation Practices and Optimum Phosphorus Application in Rainfed Maize–Chickpea System in Vertisols of Central India

Conserving soil moisture in the rainfed region is a challenging task as it plays a significant role in crop productivity and livelihood security of rainfed farmers. The soil moisture conservation practices (MCPs) coupled with the addition of root augmenting nutrition are crucial for sustaining crop yields and maintaining soil phosphorus (P) in a rainfed Vertisol of Central India. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effect of MCPs and P application in maize–chickpea in a Vertisol. A five-year study showed that the MCPs integrated with P nutrition significantly helped in growing chickpea (Cicer arietinum) without irrigation or with limited irrigation. Under the normal rainfall conditions such as normal onset time, distribution and cessation time during the experimentation, the MCPs proved useful in obtaining chickpea yields in the range of 776 to 933 kg ha−1. The best MCP was the practice of late intercultural operations + Gliricidia cover in the inter-row spaces of standing maize (@ 5 t ha−1 fresh weight basis) + maize stover application (after sowing up to germination), which recorded higher chickpea grain yield (932 kg ha−1) on account of higher moisture content in the soil and reduced stress in the plants. Another comparable treatment was Gliricidia cover + one pre-sowing irrigation of 6 cm for chickpea, which recorded 933 kg ha−1 of chickpea yield. Both the treatments recorded significantly higher yields than the under control (637 kg ha−1). We also found that the application of Gliricidia cover on the soil surface coupled with either pre-sowing irrigation and/or late intercultural operations had beneficial effect on soil physical conditions increasing soil moisture which in turn affected the crop growth. Under normal monsoon years, the best treatments (MCP4 and MCP5) recorded around 46% higher chickpea yield as compared to the control. It is concluded that these soil MCPs are very useful in rainfed areas for sustaining crop yield.

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.