LPM 121: Fodder Production and Grassland Management (1+1)

MAXIMIZING SOIL MOISTURE STORAGE

• Rapidity of water infiltration and higher moisture storage capacity of soil are desired for successful crop production under dry land farming.
• An improvement in both these essential may be brought about by making sub-soil pervious and improving structure of surface soil.
• The practices like hot weather cultivation, deep ploughing, sub-soiling, chiselling, growing of legumes and grasses and other deep rooted crops have been round to make the soil pervious to hold larger quantities to rain water which ultimately result in increased yield of crops.
  • Off- season tillage
    • Any tillage that is carried out between two crop periods is termed as off-season tillage. This aims at keeping the soil open for more water to soak into the soil and to control weeds.
  • Primary deep tillage
    • This aims to get weed-free seedbed with good water intake capacity so as to get more time for seeding and better germination.
  • Chiselling
    • This refers to breaking and loosening of compact soil or sub-soil with a chisel so as to increase root penetration.
  • Addition of organic matter
    • Organic matter improves soil structure consequently to more water holding capacity apart from improved soil fertility and better physical condition of soil, which results in higher yields.
    • Growing of deep rooted crops with particular reference to legumes also help to improve soil permeability and water storage in soil.