International Journal of Agricultural Sciences

D. D. Pardhe ¹, G. L. Chunale ¹

Affiliations
1 Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Sub-montane Zone, Kolhapur, M.S., IN

Abstract

The cultivable area situated on sloppy marginal land is the most vulnerable situation in sub-montane zone (M.S.), where there is maximum runoff and soil loss during continuous heavy rains and neither vegetative nor mechanical measures alone will hold good for conserving soil and rainwater. Under such situation, vegetative bunds - combination of vegetative and mechanical measures are found effective for conserving maximum rainwater in-situ and reducing the soil loss. Vegetative bunds are the small earthen bunds of 0.35 to 0.45 sqm cross section laid on contours at suitable vertical interval and planted with grasses having good soil binding abilities. The bunds planted with grasses like Dichanthium annulatum, Panicum maximum, Themeda triandra and Panicum antitotle were studied at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Shenda park fam, Kolhapur during 1991 to 1998 for their efficiency and structural stability in conserving maximum rainwater in-situ and thereby reducing soil erosion. The bunds once stabilized with grasses were found effective in controlling runoff and soil loss to the considerable extent of 66.67 per cent. Field plot treated with vegetative bunds conserved maximum rainwater in-situ and developed uniform soil moisture status ranging from 25.14 to 28.79 per cent, which was ultimately found beneficial to growth and yield of Kharif crops. The average yield levels of finger millet, soybean and groundnut were increased by 37 to 40 per cent. In addition the vegetative bunds were found structurally stable against any kind of damage or breach even during continuous heavy rains. The hydrological study also proved that the flood peaks resulted during heavy rainstorms was reduced considerably; thereby the bunds reduced its erosive capacity. In present context vegetative bunds are having maximum scope for adoption under NWDP on cultivable area situated on sloppy marginal land in sub-montane zone.

Keywords

Soil Binding, Structural Stability

Full Text

     

G. L. Chunale ¹, D. D. Pardhe ¹, R. D. Bansod ¹

Affiliations
1 Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Sub-montane Zone, Kolhapur, M.S., IN

Abstract

The study deals with the quantitative evaluation of ten different grass species for their soil binding characteristics, soil aggregation properties, survival performance and fodder potential under sub-montane zone situation of Maharashtra. The study was conducted during 1994 to 1997 in research watershed at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Shenda Park farm, Kolhapur. The area of watershed represents the typical situation of sub-montane zone condition i.e. undulating topography covered with shallow and lighter types of soils on hill slopes from 5 to 15 per cent and medium to deep soils at foot hills. The soils are lateritic in nature. Pennisetum hohenackeri was ranking first among the ten grass species for having the highest value of soil binding factor 516.51 kg/cm² i.e. it has comparatively better soil binding abilities as compared to other grass species. It survived better (76.5 %) on sloppy marginal soils and its ischolar_main system developed better water stable aggregation (48.14 % up to >0.25 mm and M.W.D. 0.616 mm). It was followed by Themeda triandra, Dichanthium annulatum and Panicum maximum, which were not only found better in soil binding ability, survival performance and water stable aggregation, but also found promising for green fodder yield to the extent of 26.0 to 28.0 t/ha. Pennisetum hohenackeri has no fodder potential, but it has better soil binding abilities. Its ischolar_mains can provide natural reinforcement to the mechanical structures like gully control, runoff disposal and stream bank control etc. and can give better stabilization and effective protection. This grass can be adopted on vulnerable places in combination with mechanical structures for soil and water conservation, where the site protection is the sole object rather than fodder. The other grass species such as Dichanthium annulatum, Panicum maximum and Themeda triandra can be used for vegetative bunds, farm bunds, grass water and riser bunds of terraces etc. for soil and water conservation as well as they can also be used for green fodder.

Keywords

Binding Factor, Structural Stability, Water Stable Aggregation

Full Text