Assessment of grasses for soil and water conservation in red soils of Bundelkhand based on overall performance index.

摘要

An investigation was made to determine the overall performance index (OPI) of five-year old grasses, viz. Saccharum munja, Vetiveria zizinoides [V. zizanioides], Chrysopogon fulvus, Heteropogon contortus and Dichanthium annulatum, growing in standard size runoff plots at 2% natural slope at Research Farm of Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute, Research Centre, Datia, Madhya Pradesh, India, on red soils of Bundelkhand. Different performance parameters such as soil binding capacity of roots, root proliferation, infiltration rate under a particular grass species, root volume which have direct bearing on soil and water conservation aspects were given more weight. Other factors included in the study were fodder value/palatability, commercial value and cost and maintenance of grass. These factors were of less importance vis-a-vis soil and water conservation. Based on the rating and weight assigned to different parameters, the overall performance index was worked out for each grass. For Bundelkhand region, D. annulatum and H. contortus were found to have highest OPI values and thus are suited for grazing lands. However, for agricultural lands, vegetative barriers of Vetiveria zizinoides and S. munja were the best options for soil and water conservation and preventing cattle menace in crop fields..