Integrated soil management in eroded land augments the crop yield and water-use efficiency

Abstract

Cultivated lands in erosion prone agro-ecologies incessantly experience a substantial loss of productive soil and organic matter. Currently, the fertility-management and rainwater-conservation practices are given emphasis separately. This study appraised collectively both the water-conservation and fertility-management practices for the restoration of soil productivity in eroded farmlands. Field experiments were carried out on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) in eight farmer fields. Four fields of Missa soil series (Typic Ustochrept) and four of Rajar soil series (Typic Ustorthent) were selected. Treatments in each field were: farmers' practice as control without soil-water conservation, and with farmers' rate of fertilizer (per hectare 40 kg N'30 kg P 2 O 5 ); improved fertilization (per hectare 100 kg N, 60 kg P 2 O 5, 2 kg Zn, and 1 kg B) without soil-water-conservation practices; soil-water-conservation practices (deep plowing, bund improvement, ploughing across the contour)'farmers' rate of fertilizers; and soil-water conservation'improved fertilization. Crop grain yields were at the highest with soil-water conservation'improved fertilization (per hectare wheat 3.31 Mg and 1.65 Mg in 2004Á2005 and 2005Á2006; and maize 4.55 Mg and 4.19 Mg in 2005 and 2006, respectively). The lowest yields were recorded under farmers' practice for both crops. Similar was the response for water-use efficiency and plant uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc, and boron. Missa soil series was more responsive than was Rajar to integrated soil-management practices. Synergistic application of soil-water conservation and improved fertilization practices significantly improved the crop yields, nutrient uptake, and water-use efficiency.

Depth Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon Fractions in Relation to Tillage and Cropping Sequences in Some Dry Lands of Punjab, Pakistan

“…The summer or monsoon rains constitute about 70% of the total annual rainfall of 750–950 mm. These rains are highly torrential and result in severe soil erosion (Shaheen et al ., ). The heaviest rainfall recorded in the period studied was during the months of July, August, and September in 2010, and June, July, and August months in 2011.…”

Restoring the Land Productivity of Eroded Land through Soil Water Conservation and Improved Fertilizer Application on Pothwar plateau in Punjab Province, Pakistan

“…Plant nutrients N, P, Zn and B were applied as improved fertilizer application treatment because these nutrients showed alarming deficiency in experimental areas in soil analysis ( Table 1). The term improved /balanced fertilizer application in this study means application of deficient nutrients and other fertilizers at recommended rates based on several studies carried out in rainfed area (Shafiq et al, 2003;Jilani et al, 2007;Shaheen et al, 2010). There were four treatments as described below:…”

Integrated soil management – moving towards globally sustainable agriculture

“…Soil and fertility loss worldwide are caused by salinization, desertification and soil mismanagement. Continued loss of productive land along with vital, stabilizing, soil organic matter in developing countries such as Pakistan is linked to the separation of fertility management and rainwater conservation practices (Shaheen et al 2009). A more effective future direction is offered by ISM, where these issues are dealt with in a combined strategy.…”