Improved management of Vertisols in the semiarid tropics for increased productivity and soil carbon sequestration

Abstract

Abstract. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that an improved system of catchment management in combination with appropriate cropping practices can sustain increased crop production and improve soil quality of Vertisols, compared with prevailing traditional farming practices. Initiated in 1976, the improved system consisted of integrated land management to conserve soil and water, with excess rainwater being removed in a controlled manner. This was combined with improved crop rotation (legume based) and integrated nutrient management. In the traditional system, sorghum or chickpea was grown in the post‐rainy season with organic fertilizers, and in the rainy season the field was maintained as a cultivated fallow. The average grain yield of the improved system over 24 years was 4.7 t ha−1 yr−1, nearly a five‐fold increase over the traditional system (about 1 t ha−1 yr−1). There was also evidence of increased organic C, total N and P, available N, P and K, microbial biomass C and N in the soil of the improved system. A positive relationship between soil available P and soil organic C suggested that application of P to Vertisols increased carbon sequestration by 7.4 t C ha−1 and, in turn, the productivity of the legume‐based system, thus ultimately enhancing soil quality.

Widespread Deficiencies of Sulfur, Boron, and Zinc in Indian Semi-Arid Tropical Soils: On-Farm Crop Responses

“…that in assured rainfall areas in the SAT regions (with annual rainfall 750 mm or above), response of crops to N and P are assured, although the extent of crop response to these nutrients vary with the seasonal rainfall and its distribution (El-Swaify et al, 1985;Wani et al, 2003). The on-going farmer-participatory integrated watershed management program at ICRISAT provided the opportunity to implement nutrient management along with soil and water conservation practices in farmers' fields in the Indian semi-arid tropics.…”

“…In the SAT regions, best results in terms of productivity increase and sustainability are achieved when holistic approach for the soil and water conservation measures are implemented along with nutrient management, and choice of crops and their management options (Wani et al, 2003). It is also observed…”

Sustainable use of natural resources for crop intensification and better livelihoods in the rainfed semi-arid tropics of Central India

“…Despite long history of cultivation along with being important source of livelihood and nutrition for the small and marginal farmers in Madhya Pradesh, and SAT regions in India, the actual yields from rainfed agriculture have remained quite low as compared to achievable ones [10][11][12][13][14][15]. Historic trends present a growing yield gap between farmers' practice (FP) and farming systems that benefit from management advances.…”

Natural Chemical Degradation of Soils in the Indian Semi-Arid Tropics and Remedial Measures

“…Such soils show enough resilience under improved management (IM) system of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 41 that does not include any amendment like gypsum and FYM. The average grain yield of the IM system over thirty years was five times more than that in the traditional management (TM) system.…”