Relative efficacy of rain water conservation techniques and organic sources under rainfed condition

• Published in: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (India) Vol. 8; no. 4
• Main Author: Pendke, M.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2009
• Subjects: AGRICULTURA ORGANICA; AGRICULTURE BIOLOGIQUE; AGUA DE LLUVIA; ALMACENAMIENTO; ARIDOCULTURE; CULTIVO EN TIERRAS ARIDAS; DRY FARMING; EAU DE PLUIE; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_15911; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_2397; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_25202; http://www.fao.org/aos/agrovoc#c_7427; ORGANIC AGRICULTURE; RAINWATER; STOCKAGE; STORAGE
• ISSN: 0022-457X

Rain water conservation techniques, like large compartmental bunding and furrow opening in between the crop rows in combination with organic sources like FYM (5 tonnes/ha), Glyricidia (6 tonnes/ ha), Neem powder (1 tonne/ha) and Vermicompost (3 tonnes/ha) were evaluated for their impact on increasing the productivity of cotton + soybean intercropping system. The highest productivity of soybean 765.67 kg/ha and cotton 657.34 kg/ha were recorded due to application of FYM followed by Neem powder, Glyricidia and Vermicompost. All the organic sources were tested in combination with rain water management techniques. The highest moisture use (320 mm) was recorded in the treatment of application of Glyricidia with moisture use efficiency of Rs 63.65/kg yield, per unit rainfall (mm) and per hectare. The monetary return of Rs 20,365/ha was recorded in the treatment of application of Glyridicia with rainwater conservation techniques. Organic sources improved the bulk density of soil as well as infiltration rate of soil. The rainwater conservation techniques with Glyricidia reduced the runoff and soil loss from the intercrop of cotton + soybean. Approximately, 48.1% more water was conserved due to above treatment combination. Similarly 37.47% soil was arrested in the field itself due to combined effect of rainwater conservation with organic sources.