Effect of Integrated Moisture Conservation Technology on the Early Growth and Establishment of Acacia tortilis in the Indian Desert

A study was conducted during the years 1982 and 1983 to find out the effect of integration of moisture conservation technology like sub-surface moisture barrier, water harvesting, soil amendments and the mulching on the early growth and establishment of Acacia tortilis seedlings. The results showed that the placement of pond sediments at the bottom of 60 cm deep pit in 5 mm thickness in association with water harvesting from circular catchment (2% slope and 1.5 m radius) and the soil mixed with pond sediment, (10 kg/pit) and the farm-yard manure (5 kg/pit) as amendments markedly increased the moisture storage capacity of the pit,optimized the thermal conditions of soil and thus increased the growth of Acacia tortilis plants as reflected by the increase in plant height, canopy diameter, collar diameter and breast height diameter. The technique can be successfully used in checking the mortality, boosting the early growth and the establishment of trees in the desert and similar areas.