WATERSHED APPROACH IN DRYLAND AGRICULTURE, CONCEPT, PLANNIG, DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT - RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

摘要

Indian rainfed agriculture is depends on the South - West monsoon during the period June to September. Its consequent vulnerability is well known. The distribution of rainfall received during this period varies in intensity and periodically giving rise to spells of soil moisture stress adversely hampering growth and yield of crops. Therefore the study on the integrated rain water management in the watersheds is undertaken. The final outcomes of the study are on arable cropped lands with shallow, medium deep and deep soil cover, contour cultivation along vetiver hedge at 1 m vertical interval (VI) is recommended to achieve effective and higher in situ rain water and soil conservation which was significantly reflected in terms of 51.3 per cent lesser run off and 71.59 per cent lower annual soil loss with 60-65 per cent reduction in nutrient losses. The soil deposition along vetiver contour hedge over a period of 4 years was around 30cm-40 cm more prominent at gully and outlet points. Similarly for developing perennial plantation CCT's layout at 5m-6 m HI was found suitable for uniform in situ rain water and soil conservation as well as for better establishment of the agro-horticulture and agro-forestry systems. In silvipasture system one or two lines of pits (30 cm x 30 cm~2) can be taken up on contour strips between two trenches which was significantly reflected in terms of 95-98 per cent reduction in run off therefore minimum soil loss, maximum in situ moisture conservation which has enhanced the establishment of the agro-horticulture and silvipasture systems in watersheds. These measures if adopted in watersheds are helpful to improve the agriculture productivity, moderate the hydrology of watershed, ground water potential and to harvest the ground water judiciously through shallow bores.