Abstract

Eight field experiments (one on station trial, seven on-farm research trials) were conducted both during North east monsoon and South west monsoon of 1998 and 1999 in sorghum, groundnut, sunflower and maize in alfisol drylands of western agro climate subzone. The results revealed that sorghum responded well for the moisture conservation practice 'basin listing", when it was sown during South west monsoon 1998 at Research Station, Bhavanisagar. Similarly in the same season of 1999 under farmers condition, in situ moisture conservation practice namely contour sowing, followed by ridging three weeks later was the best for dry land groundnut crops. Of the two crops sown during North east monsoon 1999 tieing alternate furrows with mulching of locally available material seemed to be the best soil moisture conservation methods for the dryland maize crops. In the same season sunflower responded highly when the moisture conservation practices namely sowing in contour followed by ridging three weeks later was adopted. The result further indicated that in situ moisture conservation practices to be adopted varied with seasonal rainfall and within season it varied between crops indicating the need of the development of location specific technology.

Keywords: Acceptable, dryland, in situ moisture conservation practices