Vittal, K P R and Vijayalakshmi, K. and Rao, U.M.B. (1983) Effect of deep tillage on dryland crop production in red soils of India. Soil and Tillage Research, 3 (4). pp. 377-384.
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Abstract
The red soils of the semi-arid tropics of Andhra Pradesh, India, are shallow, eroded and compact. The profile is anisotropic with a dense sub-surface layer which restricts the root proliferation of crops. The average depth of the surface layer is 8.2 cm. The solum depth varies from 50 to 100 cm. A light wooden country plough is used by farmers for primary tillage, penetrating on average to a depth of 15.5 cm with a coefficient of variation of 80%. To disturb the sub-surface layer to a greater extent a heavy-duty disc plough was used. This tilled to a depth of 23.3 cm, with a coefficient of variation of 29%, and reduced the bulk density. The infiltration and depth of penetration of the wetting front increased considerably with deep tillage. The advantage of deep tillage to crop yields was found to be dependent on rainfall pattern and plant type. The interaction was between recharge in the profile and rooting depth. In a normal rainfall season the yield advantage was observed for both short duration (sorghum and pearl millet) and long duration (castor) crops, while the advantage in an above-normal rainfall season was restricted to long duration crops only. No yield advantage was noticed in a sub-normal rainfall year for any of the crops. The residual effects of deep tillage were marginal. Therefore, by considering the historical rainfall data, it was observed that deep tillage was beneficial in 63 and 91% of years for short and long duration crops, respectively. Adoption of deep tillage every year in traditional castor-sorghum rotation resulted in benefits in 56% of years for both the crops. Since deep tillage requires a high monetary input, it is advisable to adopt this practice only for castor. This illustrates clearly the need for considering rainfall pattern and crop requirements to select an appropriate tillage practice under rainfed farming
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | AII India Co-ordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Saidabad Post, Hyderabad - 500659, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Subjects: | Plant Production Soil Science and Microbiology > Soil Sciences |
| Divisions: | Millet Sorghum |
| Depositing User: | Ms K Syamalamba |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Nov 2012 03:59 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Nov 2012 03:59 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0167-1987(83)90039-9 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/8858 |
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