|
|
|
|
| All
India Coordinated Research Project(AICRP) for Dryland
Agriculture, Dr.PDKV, Akola |
| |
| About
Project |
Indian
council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) started
All India Coordinated Research Project for
Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) in 1970 with
the assistance from the Government of Canada.
The unique feature of this project was its
reliance on multidisciplinary research approach
in identifying constraints and providing viable
solutions to location specific problems in
all the agro-ecological situations of rainfed
agriculture. The project presently has 25
co-operative centres. The locations of the
various centres are depicted in Fig. 1. The
establishment of Central Research Institute
for dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) at Hyderabad
in 1985 gave an impetus by providing basic
and strategic research support. Some centres
were supported with AICRP on Agro-meteorology
in 1995. Akola centre is one of them. The
profile briefs the outcome of various research
activities during the past 10 years. |
|
Network
of Dryland Research Center |
|
|
|
| Agro
Climatic Information |
| Region |
| Vidarbha
region of Maharashtra state is mostly characterized
by dryland farming. The climatic conditions
of this region can be broadly described as semi-arid.
The jurisdiction of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi
Vidyapeeth is entire Vidarbha region. It is
richly endowed with natural resources of varied
types. Akola centre strives to solve location
specific complexities through a cohesive, multi-pronged
approach, emphasizing farmers’ point of
view all the time.
The region comprises eleven districts viz. Buldana,
Akola, Washim, Amravati, Yavatmal, Wardha, Nagpur,
Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.
It lies in between 170 57’ - 210 46’
N Latitude and 750 57’ - 800 59’
E Longitude. It covers an area of 97762.9km2,
which is 31.92 percent area of Maharashtra.
Satpuda hill ranges in North bound the region,
Ajanta hill ranges at the South West and a series
of high hill ranges along the eastern border.
It is divided into Godavari and Tapi river basins.
There are two revenue administrative divisions
viz., Amravati and Nagpur. |
| Weather
and season of the region |
| The
mean annual rainfall ranges from 700 mm at the
West to 1700 mm at the East. The day length
and temperature varies giving a rise from North
to South and rainfall from West to East. Thus
it gives rise to various agro climatic situations.
This region mostly receives adequate rainfall
in aggregate in monsoon period but suffers from
vagaries of distribution and consequently the
scarcity and semi-scarcity conditions. Some
pockets in Khamgaon tahsil of Buldana district
are drought prone.
Monsoon sets in from 8th June regularly and
rains commence in between 18th to 25th June
gives highest rainfall during July and August
and withdraw on 8th October. However, rains
are meagre after first fortnight of September,
Total rainy days ranges in between 47 to 65.
The coefficient of variation of monthly rainfall
is 40 to 50 per cent even for the wet month
i.e. July indicating the uncertainty of rains
during the season.
The climatic conditions of the region can be
broadly described as semi-arid type on annual
basis. The region experiences sub-humid to humid
conditions in monsoon season, semi-arid in winter
season and arid in summer season. Vidarbha region
has been divided into three agro-climatic zones
based on rainfall, soil types and vegetation
viz., Western Vidarbha Zone (Rainfall 700 to
950mm), Central Vidarbha Zone (Rainfall 950
to 1250mm) and Eastern Vidarbha Zone (Rainfall
<1250mm). |
| Agro-ecological
characterization of the location |
| Akola
is situated at the latitude of 200.42’
North and Longitude of 770.02’ East. The
altitude of this place is 307.41m above MSL.
The climate of the place is sub-tropical and
characterised by hot dry summer and cool winter.
Rains are mostly received from South-West monsoon
during June to October with mean annual precipitation
of 824.8mm, which is generally received in 41
rainy days. Winter rains are uncertain but has
an average of 86.9mm during October to January.
The annual mean minimum temperature varies from
10.5 to 27.10C, while the mean maximum temperature
ranges from 28.2 to 42.60C. The bright Sunshine
hours ranges between 4.1 - 10.0/day and wind
speed from 4.3to14.8km/hr. The morning relative
humidity ranges between 35 to 87 and evening
humidity between 14 to 68 per cent. |
| Soils |
| Western
Vidarbha soils are derived from trap rock and
have varying depth depending upon their physiography.
Most of the soils are calcareous, highly base
saturated, fairly well drained, well supplied
with potash, moderate to low in phosphate, but
low in organic matter content and slightly alkaline.
Soils deeper than 1.5 m and clay in texture
pose problem of waterlogging. Such conditions
occur in Purna Valley. Deep soils are poor in
infiltration and permeability. At Dryland Research
Farm of the centre, the soil belongs to Vertic
Inceptisols.
Soils of the Central Vidarbha are derived from
basalt rock, black in colour and having varying
depth depending upon their physiography. Inceptisols
and Entisols are developed from basalt and they
are very shallow to shallow. Inceptisols show
vertic characteristics, whereas, the Vertisols
are developed in basaltic alluvium brought out
by rivers. These soils are medium to heavy in
texture, high in lime content with high base
saturation.
Vertisols
are predominant in the zone with montmorillonite/smectite
clay. Swelling after wetting and shrinkage following
drying results in deep and wide cracks.
Eastern
Vidarbha soils are chiefly derived from mixed
rocks like granite, geniuses and schist’s.
They are yellowish brown to red in colour and
having pH in the range of 6 to 7. These soils
predominantly contain Kaolinite (1:1), non-expanding
clay mineral.
Medium
deep black soils are predominant (45%) followed
by coarse shallow (35%) and deep black soils
(20%). |
| Major
problems of the region |
| Vidarbha
is mainly a rainfed farming region, the crops
being dependent on vagaries of monsoon. This
makes living of the farmers unstable and difficult,
because of uncertainty in yield and income.
Due to lack of agro-based and cottage industries,
employment and monetary returns are meagre.
Important problems of the region are |
| (a)
Fragile environment |
| Total
annual mean precipitation of the region is,
though, above 700mm, its distribution is not
even. Due to erratic and irregular rainfall
pattern, crops suffer and there is also a risk
of crop failure under aberrant weather situation.
Due to frequent occurrence of dry spell, delayed
onset of monsoon and early withdrawal, prospects
of good crop cannot be assured. Sometimes excessive
and intensive rainfall may cause runoff and
severe erosion |
| (b)
Soil degradation |
| Soils
of the region have been degraded due their susceptibility
to soil and water erosion, inadequate restoration
of soil organic matter due to tropical climate
and lack of supply of organic manures and thirdly
due to improper use of land. In some pockets,
there is excessive accumulation of salts making
soils saline and alkaline |
| (c)
Constraint of water |
| Due
to lack of appropriate rainwater management,
availability of water for crops is declining.
Similarly level of groundwater is also going
downward because of excessive lifting of water
and lack of efforts to replenish removed water.
This is a matter of great concern and poses
serious challenge for the future |
| (d)
Low productivity |
| Crop
and animal productivity is very low in the region
because of low inputs and non-adoption of improved
technology, viz., low income and low livelihood
security, inadequate finance for agriculture,
lack of supporting enterprises in rural area,
lack of post harvest cottage and agro based
industries, unavailability of labour and farm
equipments for timely field operations and unavailability
of good quality seed, timely availability of
desirable fertilizers and pesticides etc. |
|
|
| Mandate
|
| 1 |
To
evolve simple technologies through inter disciplinary
research to substantially increase the crop
productivity and viability under dryland farming
conditions in India |
| 2 |
To
increase stability of crop production over the
years by improving in natural resource management
and crop management systems and providing alternate
crop production technologies matching weather
conditions |
| 3 |
To
develop alternate and efficient land use systems
through inter disciplinary research and farmers’
perspective and operational scale experimentation |
| 4 |
To
optimise the use of natural resources viz.,
rainfall, land and water; minimize soil and
water losses and degradation of environment |
| 5 |
To
evaluate and study transferability of the improved
dryland technologies on farmers’ fields. |
|
|
|
|
| Research
Activities and Achievements |
| Rainwater
Management |
Efficient
management of land and water resources on watershed
basis not only minimizes the risk of soil erosion
hazards and crops failure but also increases the productivity
of land per unit area and time. |
(a)
Evaluation of contour cultivation along vegetative
hedges and graded bunds for soil and moisture conservation
and productivity |
Contour
farming is one of the most effective methods
for soil and water conservation and thereby
increases productivity in dryland areas. In
contour farming, the guide lines are required
for ease in cultivation for which, Vetiver grass
and Leucaena rows were used on 0.5 m V. I. (Fig
2). These hedges act as guide lines as well
as hedge against the soil erosion. Keeping this
idea in mind, the project was initiated during
1989-90 kharif season to evaluate vegetative
barriers of different types and graded bunds.
|
|
The
experiment was conducted on sorghum and cotton
for four years on each crop. On basis of four
years experimentation, the reduction in runoff
was observed to be in the tune of 40-50% whereas,
the reduction in soil loss was observed to be
70-75% in case of vegetative barriers as compare
to across the slope sowing. Uniform moisture
distribution due to contour cultivation gave
higher productivity in case of test crops i.e.
sorghum and cotton. |
|
(b)
Effect of land treatments for improving moisture regime
in pulse based cropping system |
The productivity
of pulses in the country is very poor. Rainwater management
in Vertisols is essential for improving moisture regimes
for better yields. It was therefore decided at CRIDA,
Hyderabad to undertake the pulse based experiment,
considering land treatments for improving moisture
regimes under Micro-Mission on Pulses Production Technology
in Collaboration with ICRISAT. The experiment was
carried out for three years in Group Balanced Block
Design with two groups viz., across slope cultivation
and contour cultivation having the land treatments
like broad bed and furrow (BBF), Opening of furrows;
and Ridge and furrow.
The results showed that, the available soil moisture
at 0-30 and 30-60cm depths were higher under BBF (2
row bed) and opening of furrows (30 DAS) treatments
in both the groups at different stages of crop growth
till harvest during all the years of experimentation.
The available soil moisture at 0-30cm depth was found
higher under BBF and opening of furrows (30 DAS) treatments
in both the groups. No significant difference in grain
yield of pigeon pea (ICPL-85014) was noticed in between
two groups in the individual year of experimentation.
When pooled, significant increase in yield was obtained
with land treatments over control (5.78q/ha) and BBF
(after two crop rows at seeding) recorded highest
yield (7.54q/ha) closely followed by opening of furrows
after two crop rows at 30 DAS (7.02q/ha) and 6.37q/ha
in case of ridge and furrow. |
| (c)
Water balance of different crops by FAO method |
To provide
useful information for crop monitoring, to investigate
droughts and to mitigate them by proper rainwater
management and to forecast suitable time of sowing
and expected yields of sorghum and cotton crops in
Akola region, Water balance studies were carried using
WAB BAS developed by FAO. The length of growing season
was considered as 15 weeks and as 28 weeks according
to the crop-growing period of hybrid sorghum and cotton.
For the purpose daily rainfall and pan evaporation
for 20 years from 1970 to 1989 for Akola station were
collected from Meteorological observatory of the university.
The simulated results indicated that, the weekly water
balance of Sorghum and cotton showed the deficit of
2.61mm in 37th met. week whereas 25th to 39th week
except 37th week showed surplus of water. It was clear
that, there was a need of life saving irrigation of
3mm for sorghum crop in 37th met. week. However, sorghum
can be grown successfully in Akola region without
irrigation as one-week drought is not harmful.
The average weekly water balance of cotton crop showed
the maximum deficit of 30.51mm occurred in 43rd week,
whereas from 24th to 36th week, there was surplus
of water. From 37th to 52nd week (end of season),
there was a continuous dry spell and hence there was
a need of life saving irrigation for the crop during
the deficit period. |
(d)
Topo-sequence study of micro-watershed for in-situ
moisture conservation and sustainable crop production |
On
a slopy land crop growth is affected adversely
due to excess moisture status in the lower part
of the topo-sequence. This situation is not
congenial for cotton crop. Hence, the lower
part of topo sequence was tested with soybean
in kharif and chickpea in rabi by replacing
cotton on 30 per cent area (Fig. 3).
The yields of soybean and chickpea were higher
under lower topo-sequence as compared to cotton.
Monetary returns of different topo-sequence
show higher values for soybean- chickpea double
cropping as compared to cotton under lower topo-sequence.
It is also observed that, the strip of soybean
– chickpea reduced the runoff and soil
loss to some extent.
|
|
|
| (e)
Opening of furrows in cotton |
For in
situ soil moisture conservation and increased seed
cotton yield it had been recommended to open furrows
after every two rows of cotton at 30 to 35 days after
sowing, furrows be opened by hoes. |
| (f)
Interbund treatment of vetiver hedge |
|
For
reducing runoff and soil erosion and increasing
crop productivity, vegetative key line of vetiver
or Leucaena should be developed on contours
and crops should be along the key lines (Fig.
4). |
|
| Crops
and cropping systems |
| (a)
Feasibility of different crops for dry seeding |
Only cotton
was found suitable for dry seeding as compared to
other kharif crops viz. sorghum, greengram, blackgram
and pigeonpea. |
| (b)
Response of Castor to late seeding |
Yield obtained
in late seeding between mid of July and August was
at par. Hence, castor could be sown by mid of August
and it is thus identified as contingent crop |
| (c)
Identification of crops for shallow soils |
On shallow
soil, cotton variety AKH-081 recorded higher gross
monetary returns as compared to other crops, viz.,
Pigeonpea (ICPL-85012), pearlmillet (ICTP-8203), seasamum
(TC-25), horsegram (Local), blackgram (TAU-1) and
sorghum (CSH-9). Hence, it is recommended for growing
on shallow soil, under rainfed situations. |
| (d)
Sequence cropping system |
Greengram-safflower
crop sequence has been recommended for higher monetary
returns. If rains occur in October, November month,
sorghum- chickpea crop sequence is advocated. Soybean-
chickpea crop sequence is also pheasible and giving
higher monetary returns during late monsoon rains
situation. Under situation of resowing or delayed
sowing in kharif season, sunflower, pearl millet,
pigeonpea, maize and castor crops recorded satisfactory
yields. |
| (e)
Alley cropping system |
Incorporation
of Leucaena loppings in 9m width allays in sorghum,
sunflower and pigeonpea recorded 25 to 50 per cent
economy in fertilizer use. |
| (f)
Weed control in cotton + greengram intercropping |
Integrated
weed management studies were initiated at dryland
the centre in collaboration with ICRISAT. Fluchloralin
@ 1.5kg a.i./ha + One hoeing (30 DAS) is recommended
for weed control in cotton + greengram intercropping.
For control of weeds and increase in seed cotton yield,
application of 1.5kg/ha Pendimethalin or Fluchloraline,
combined with one weeding or one hoeing, at 30 DAS
is recommended. |
| (g)
Testing of maize hybrid |
Maize hybrid
“cargill-520-A” recorded significantly
higher grain yields at all the locations viz., Akola,
Buldana, Washim, Achalpur and Yavatmal over variety
AMC-1. Maize crop recorded significant response up
to 150kg N + 75kg P2O5 + 37.5kg K2O/ha at all the
locations except Akola, Where the response was up
to 120:60:30kg NPK/ha. |
| (h)
Three tier intercropping |
For
obtaining higher monetary returns and meeting
the need of food, fodder and fuel from one piece
of land, it is recommended to adopt three tier
cotton based intercropping system in which cotton,
sorghum, pigeonpea and sorghum be grown in 6:1:2:1
row proportion under rainfed situation (Fig.5).
This system has the highest capacity to bear
risk of the season due to erratic behaviour
of monsoon and also being adopted on reasonably
sizeable area. |
|
|
|
Nutrient management |
| (a)
Integrated nutrient management studies in cotton + green
gram intercropping |
Integrated
nutrient management studies were undertaken
on cotton, greengram intercropping system from
1987-88 onwards. In this experiment residue
of greengram crop was incorporated in soil after
picking of pods.
The results of integrated nutrient management
were evident from third year onwards. Half dose
of nitrogen through FYM and half through inorganic
fertilizers recorded higher yields of cotton
and green gram than full dose of nitrogen through
inorganic fertilizers.
|
|
Continuous
use of Leuceana lopping at 25kg N/ha for five
year also found to replace half quantity of
N through inorganic fertilizer. Further continuous
use of Leucaena lopping was found to replace
full recommended dose of nitrogen (Fig 6).Cotton,
sorghum and pigeonpea recorded highest yield
on class II soils, followed by class III soils.
Lowest yield was obtained on class IV soils.
Sorghum crop recorded response to fertilizers
in case of all three classes of soil, whereas,
cotton and pigeonpea registered response on
class II and class III soils only.
Results of a long term experiment on cotton
– greengram intercropping system, revealed
that half of the recommended dose of nitrogen
through FYM and half dose through inorganic
fertilizer recorded higher yields of cotton
and greengram than application of full dose
of nitrogen through inorganic fertilizers. Continuous
use of Leucaena lopping was found to replace
even the full recommended dose of nitrogen.
Under rainfed condition pigeonpea and sorghum
crops grown in medium deep soil be applied 23
kg and sorghum crop be applied 46 kg P2O5/ha
for obtaining higher more returns.
In medium deep soils with moderate availability
of zinc, hybrid sorghum is applied 5kg zinc
(25kg) ha besides recommended dose of NPK. |
|
| Crop
Evaluation |
| Drought
tolerance of cultivators |
Screening
and evaluation of some of the rainfed crops for drought
tolerance and yield was taken up on the basis of the
following physiological parameters and yield viz.
Chlorophyll content, Chlorophyll stability index (CSI),
Proline content of leaf, Osmotic potential of cell
sap, Relative water content (RWC%), Transpiration
rate, Stomatal conductance, Leaf area and Drought
susceptibility index (DSI). On the basis this study
the Soybean (Monetta and TAS-38), Sesamum (JLT-7 and
TSE-4) and Sunflower (PKVSH-32 and MSFH –17)
are found to be drought tolerant. |
| Alternate
land use system |
| (a)
Agro-horticultural systems |
Under
dryland condition, ber ago-horticulture system
(Ber + greengram/ blackgram) was found be more
remunerative than anola and custard apple horticulture
system (Fig. 7).
Growing stylo as a sole crop and stylo-marvel
pastural system recorded higher green fodder
yield than sole or combination of these two
grasses.
Efficient management of land and water resources,
on watershed basis, not only minimizes the risk
of soil erosion hazards and crops failure but
also increases the productivity of land per
unit area and time.
|
|
|
| (b)
Pasture system for shallow soils (15cm) |
Stylo sole
and stylo + marvel recorded higher green fodder yield
than other sole grasses and combination of grasses |
| Testing
of implements |
| (a)
Testing of prototypes of ferti-seed drills developed
by different centers in India |
This project
was initiated during 1989 kharif season with the objective
of testing the comparative performance of various
seed drills in kharif and rabi season. Eight ferti-seed
drills were tested viz. 1. Eenatti garu 2. Shivaji
multi purpose 3. Solapur 4. Gajarat 5. Malviya 6.
CIAE 7. P. K. V. 8. Local (tifan) for two crops i.e.
greengram (TAP-7) in kharif and safflower (Bhima)
in rabi. The experiment was continued for two years.
The Overall Performance Index (OPI) for different
ferti seed drills, maximum OPI was found to be 0.894
in case Shivaji followed by Solapur (0.828), The CIAE
(0.827) and Malviya (0.806). |
| |
The grain
yield of green gram and safflower was significantly
influenced by the different ferti-seed drills. Increase
in yield was noticed when seeding was done with CIAE
ferti-seed drill. |
|
|
|
| Contact
Information |
| Dr.
Mahendra Nagdeve |
| Chief
Scientist |
| All
India Co-ordinated Research Project for Dryland
Agriculture |
| Dr.
Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth |
| Akola
-444104 (Maharashtra) |
| Phone
: (91) - (0724) 2258115, 2258569 |
| Fax
: (91) - (0724) 2258569 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Disclaimer
: |
| The
information on this website does not warrant or assume any
legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness
or usefulness of any information. The information is for noncommercial
purpose such as teaching, research and extension. By using
our website, you agree to all disclaimers in terms of use
governing this website. |
|
|