Conservation trenches for plantation crop.
Subudhi C. R., Behera B., Sethi P. K.
Author Affiliation: All India Coordinated Research Project for Dry land Agriculture, Phulbani - 760 001 Orissa, India.
Indian Journal of Soil Conservation 33 : 88-89
Abstract : This study investigated the effects of vegetated barriers along with V-ditch contour bund in conserving moisture for the establishment of plantation crops (mango cv. Amrapalli) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica cv. IGP-76) and reducing soil erosion from upstream area in Orissa, India. Treatments were consisted of 5 soil and water conservation practices, viz., control, continuous V-ditches at 10 and 20 m horizontal interval, and V-ditches staggered at 5 and 10 horizontal interval. Fertilizer dosage of 110 P and K gm/plant was applied to mango and 20 kg N, 20 kg P and 20 kg K was given to niger at the time of sowing. It was observed that actual rainfall during 2001 was highest in July (797.6 mm). The growth rate and seed yield of mango were highest (1.5 cm/month and 3.11 q/ha, respectively) in continuous V-ditches at 10 m horizontal interval and lowest (1.32 cm/month and 2.33 q/ha) in control. Therefore, continuous V-ditches at 10 m horizontal interval should be recommended for upland degraded watershed in Kandhamal District of Orissa as it conserve more moisture (9.46%) and soil compared to other treatments, resulting in higher crop yield and plant height.