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

OVERCOMING SOIL - PHYSICAL CONSTRAINTS

• Dryland farmer may confront with one or more of the following soil physical constraints.
• Surface crusting
  • The problem is experienced in light soils where seeding emergence is hampered. Incorporation of stubble of crop residues minimizes crusting.
  • Set line cultivation, seeding on ridges also minimises the effect of crusting. In case where crusting has occured, passing of thorny branches on the surface reduces crusting.
• Soil cracking
  • This is a serious problem of heavy textured soils. Intercultivation, mulching and selection of short duration varieties, which may complete the life cycle before the cracks develop can tackle this problem.
• Textural profiles and hard pans
  • Deep ploughing, chiselling and growing of deep rooted crops help to over come these problems.