An Asian Journal of Soil Science

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Impact of Land Configurations on Soil Moisture and Productivity of Cotton under Rainfed Conditions


Affiliations
1 Post Graduate Institute Dr. Pajabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.), India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


In order to study the in situ soil and water conservation measures and the impact of soil and water conservation measures in terms of increase in soil moisture content, biometric observations, moisture use and production efficiency, reduction in runoff, soil and nutrient losses, three land configurations were studied for soil-water management, viz., cultivation along the slope with opening of tide furrow (T1), contour cultivation with opening of alternate furrow (T2) and contour cultivation with opening of ridges and furrows (T3). The present investigation revealed that the treatment T3 was more prominent and favourably influenced the crop growth, soil moisture, moisture use and production efficiency, cost benefit ratio due to the drastic change in the runoff hydrograph characteristics and reduction in runoff, soil loss and nutrient losses, followed by treatment T2 over the treatment T1. In the context of above results, it is concluded that the in situ soil and water conservation measures is the need of day in rainfed agriculture for the management of erratic and vagarious rainfall under the changing climatic conditions. From the study of the rainfall characteristics like duration, intensity classification, frequency distribution of rainy days, kinetic energy of rainstorms and erosion index, it is revealed that out of 47 rainy days, 41 rainy days were commenced with rainfall intensity <25 mm hr-1 and 6 rainy days were commenced with 25-50 mm hr-1 rainfall intensity.

Keywords

Land Configurations, Soil Moisture, Cotton Under Rainfed Conditions.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Ahuja, L.R., Naney, J., Williams, W.R.D. and Ross, J.R. (1998). Vertical variability of soil properties in small watershed. J. Hydrology, 99(3) : 307-318.

  • Ali, M. H., Chatterjee, R.K. and Biswas, T. D. (1966). Soil moisture tension relationships of some Indian soils. J. Indian Soc. Soil. Sci., 14 : 61-62.

  • Anonymous (2013). Agrosco. report AEEC, P.K.V., Akola Research report of work done by the Vidarbha Soil Conservation and Demonstration Scheme.

  • Hadda, M.S., Khera, K.L. and Kukal, S.S. (2000). Soil and water conservation practices and soil productivity in NorthWestern sub-mountainous tract of India: A review. Indian J. Soil Cons., 28 : 187-192.

  • Michael, A.M. and Ojha, T.P. (1983). Principles of Agricultural Engineering, Vol 2. Jain Brothers, Ratanda Road, Jodhpur (Rajasthan) India.

  • Payal, S. D. and Bhuibar, B. W. (2001). Study on effect of land management practices and cropping syste on runoff soil loss and yield of cotton. M-Tech Thesis, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani, M.S. (India).

  • Singh, Pratap and Verma, R. S. (1996). Nitrogen uptake and quality of pearlmillet as influenced by moisture conservation practices and N fertilization. Indian J. Soil Conserve., 24 (1): 85-89.

  • Wischmeier, W.H. (1959). A rainfall erosion index for a universal soil-loss equation. Soil Sci. Soc. America Proc., 23: 246-249. http://dx.doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1959.03615995002300030027x.


Abstract Views: 288

PDF Views: 0




  • Impact of Land Configurations on Soil Moisture and Productivity of Cotton under Rainfed Conditions

Abstract Views: 288  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

M. P. Sathe
Post Graduate Institute Dr. Pajabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.), India
S. A. Lad
Post Graduate Institute Dr. Pajabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.), India
M. G. Kale
Post Graduate Institute Dr. Pajabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.), India

Abstract


In order to study the in situ soil and water conservation measures and the impact of soil and water conservation measures in terms of increase in soil moisture content, biometric observations, moisture use and production efficiency, reduction in runoff, soil and nutrient losses, three land configurations were studied for soil-water management, viz., cultivation along the slope with opening of tide furrow (T1), contour cultivation with opening of alternate furrow (T2) and contour cultivation with opening of ridges and furrows (T3). The present investigation revealed that the treatment T3 was more prominent and favourably influenced the crop growth, soil moisture, moisture use and production efficiency, cost benefit ratio due to the drastic change in the runoff hydrograph characteristics and reduction in runoff, soil loss and nutrient losses, followed by treatment T2 over the treatment T1. In the context of above results, it is concluded that the in situ soil and water conservation measures is the need of day in rainfed agriculture for the management of erratic and vagarious rainfall under the changing climatic conditions. From the study of the rainfall characteristics like duration, intensity classification, frequency distribution of rainy days, kinetic energy of rainstorms and erosion index, it is revealed that out of 47 rainy days, 41 rainy days were commenced with rainfall intensity <25 mm hr-1 and 6 rainy days were commenced with 25-50 mm hr-1 rainfall intensity.

Keywords


Land Configurations, Soil Moisture, Cotton Under Rainfed Conditions.

References