Sustainable production systems based on resources inventory, suitability and planning on watershed approach.
Krishnappa A. M., Shivaramu H. S., Pandurangaiah K., Ranganna B., Shivaprasad C. R., Arunkumar Y. S., Ramanagowda P., Kumar S. C. R.
Author Affiliation: ORP on Watershed, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore - 560 024, India.
Mysore Journal of Agricultural Sciences 38 : 514-525
Abstract : Based on soil resources inventory, capability based land use and crop suitability on arable land and non-arable lands, a strategy to develop a watershed was undertaken at Kuthinagere watershed near Bangalore (Karnataka, India) between 1992 and 1999. Yield potentials of existing major annual crops in the watershed, viz., finger millet (Eleusine coracana), pigeon pea and groundnut were also determined in field trials conducted for three years (1996-1998). Thirteen soil series were identified in the watershed based on profile characteristics and each series was further delineated into one or maximum upto seven phases (mapping units) totalling to 40 based on surface soil texture, depth, slope and degree of erosion. Kuthinagere-1, 2, 3 and 6 soil series were found highly suitable for finger millet and pigeon pea and Kuthinagere-4 and 11 for the latter. Kuthinagere-7, 9 and 11 were highly suitable for groundnut. The other hardy crops like horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum), castor (Ricinus communis) and niger (Guizotia abyssinica) yielded better in most soils of the watershed. The past and present land use maps with a gap of 10 years revealed an increase in the area under horti-agricultural system from 5.5 to 25.4% and a proportionate reduction in the area under annual rainfed crops from 50.4 to 32.0% in the watershed. Three alternate land use systems (ALUS) were established: (i) agri-horticultural system; (ii) silvi-pasture on scarp slopes of hillock, foothills, severely eroded gullied lands and on field bunds; and (iii) water harvesting structures. The observations of ALUS planned and implemented in the watershed with mango based agri-horticultural system, agroforestry and silvicultural system and on filed bunds over a period of 10 years revealed not only an increase in the land productivity, farm income and availability of fodder, fuelwood and timber, but also stability in production consistent with sustainability of the rainfed ecosystem. Vegetables like chilly cultivation in off-season by recycling the harvested water in farm ponds also proved very profitable.