Effect of Tank Silt Application on Productivity and Economics of Maize-Based Production System in Southern Rajasthan

Abstract

Water tanks are an integral part of village settlements in southern Rajasthan. Runoff water carries along nutrients and fine organic matter particulates from agricultural lands. Often the sources and pathways of nutrients moved by sediments in the runoff are difficult to fully identify and assess the losses. In rainfed farming system, there is a need to capture significant amount of rainwater, which is generally lost as runoff and deep drainage. This stored water can be used for supplemental irrigation, increasing crop productivity and resource-use efficiency. However, deposition of sediments in tanks reduces its capacity and also hampers the additional water storage. Hence, removal of sediments from tanks is a relevant approach for rainfed farming systems. With the turn of the last century, there has been widespread recognition of field technologies which can enhance the water productivity in agriculture (Samra, 1997). Several studies have identified the main constraints for increased productivity in the tropics as low rainwater use efficiency for crop production (35-45%), inherent low soil fertility, inappropriate soil, water and nutrient management practices, low adoption of stress-tolerant cultivars of crops, insufficient pest management options and poverty (Wani et al., 2002). Due to variations in seasonal rains during the monsoon season, crops experiences frequent dry spells. Use of tank silt has been reported in order to conserve rainwater, minimize land degradation, improve groundwater recharge, increase cropping intensity and crop productivity, (Kerr et al., 2000). The overall goal of the present study was to demonstrate the technology of tank silt application for enhancing the soil and water productivity of maize-based production systems. Materials and Methods The study was conducted at ten locations in five villages, viz.,

Greenhouse gases emissions and agronomic productivity as influenced by varying levels of N fertilizer and tank silt in degraded semiarid Alfisol of Southern India

“…Whereas, application of TS coupled with fertilizer N had a positive impact even in winter season. Both direct and residual influence of TS application varied according to soil texture and availability of soil moisture as well as with growing practices of Kharif and Rabi crops (Sharma et al, 2015). Returning of TS rich in microbial biomass into the soil would and crop production (Tiwari et al, 2014) which is a potential strategy for restoring degraded Alfisols.…”

Mapping of tank silt application using Sentinel-2 images over the Berambadi catchment (India)

“…These maps of tank silt application might also provide inputs for agronomic modelling as tank silt application brought out an increase in the productivity of different cropping systems (Sharma et al, 2015), and organic carbon and available nutrient status (Patil et al, 2017). It might also provide inputs for hydrological modelling as tank silt application has been demonstrated to increase available water capacity (Deshmukh et al, 2019).…”

Alternative Sources of Soil Organic Amendments for Sustaining Soil Health and Crop Productivity in India – Impacts, Potential Availability, Constraints and Future Strategies

“…The tank silt samples also had higher counts of bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi 65 . Sharma et al 66 reported (experiments conducted on ten farmers' fields in 1 ha land) that application of tank silt with improved management practices recorded an increase of 36.6% in maize grain yield over non-application of tank silt. Application of tank silt also benefited subsequent crop grown during rabi season and produced a significant residual response in maize-wheat, maizemustard and maize-taramira cropping systems.…”