Agricultural exploration on underground dams.
Silva M. S. L. da, Lopes P. R. C., Anjos J. B. dos, Souza Silva A. S. de, Brito L. T. L. de, Porto E. R.
Author Affiliation: Embrapa-Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Trópico Semi-Árido (CPATSA), Caixa Postal 23, CEP 56300-000 Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira 33 : 975-980
Abstract : The soil physical characteristics and electrical conductivity of the water stored in underground dams were evaluated after eight years of management, the production of fruits and cowpeas, and the costs of dams and crops. In 1982, four underground dams were constructed where maize, cowpeas and sorghum were cropped, at Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil. In 1987, perennial crops were introduced: mango, cherimoya (Annona cherimola), lemon, guava and acerola (Malpighia). After eight years of underground dams management, the data showed low risk of salinity, increased clay content on soil due to sedimentation and no density variation. Yields of 3, 2, 3, 2, 0.8 and 0.578 t/ha, respectively, of mango, cherimoya, lemon, guava, acerola and cowpeas, associated with low cost and easy management of dams recommend them as a viable alternative for crop production in semiarid regions.