Soil moisture contents and crop yields as affected by two elevation positions within the field under rainfed conditions

摘要

Barani areas crop yields are mainly constrained by factors like low and erratic rainfalls, severe soil erosion, improper land conditions and inappropriate soil and crop management practices. These conditions cause stress due to excessive wetness and/or drought under different situations and part of the year. A field study was conducted to document the elevation differences within the cropped fields and their effect on soil moisture contents and crop (wheat, maize) yields. The elevation difference in plots selected during 1993-94 ranged from 0.04-0.93 m and during 1995-96 varied from 0.21-1.15 m. The field undulations resulted in uneven soil moisture distribution. On the average the soil moisture contents in 0-15 cm soil depth at sowing of wheat was 35 and 29 per cent greater at lower position in the fields than higher position during 1993-94 and 1995-96, respectively. The increases in wheat grain yield at lower field positions over higher field positions were 185 and 125 per cent during 1993-94 and 1995-96, respectivel.