Effect of Variable Size Compartment Bunds on Soil Moisture, Rainwater use Efficiency and Water Productivity of Green Gram in Semi-arid Region

Author: Kalbande Vishal Dashrathrao, Sunil Shirwal, M. Veerangouda, Sushilendra, Rajkumar R. Halidoddi, Mareappa Hirekurubaru, Murali M. and Rahul Patil

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Abstract

Rainwater is the major source of irrigation in arid and semiarid regions therefore to harvest rainwater the research was conducted on effect of compartment bunds. Compartment bunds are the most suitable method to harvest rainwater and conserve soil moisture; therefore, to study the soil moisture conservation, rainwater use efficiency and water productivity, three compartment bund sizes of 2.50×2.75 m, 2.50×3.50 m and 2.50×4.00 m were selected along with a control treatment. Soil moisture retention up to threshold level under compartment bunds observed for 30 days, whereas in control treatment moisture was retained up to 19 days only. Thea rainwater use efficiency under different treatments were compared and it was found that, the highest rainwater use efficiency of 1.818 kg ha-1 mm-1 was observed under 2.50×2.75 m, compartment bund size, followed by 1.742 kg ha-1 mm-1 under 2.50×3.50 m compartment bund size, 1.66 kg ha-1 mm-1under 2.50×4.00 m compartment bund size and observed least under control treatment as 1.363 kg ha-1 mm-1. The water productivity under different treatments were compared and it was found that the highest water productivity of 0.857 kg m-3 was observed under 2.50×2.75 m, compartment bund size, followed by 0.821 kg m-3 under 2.50×3.50 m compartment bund size, 0.786 kg m-3 under 2.50×4.00 m compartment bund size and observed least under control treatment as 0.571 kg m-3.

Keywords

Compartment bunds, rainwater use efficiency, water productivity, DMRT

Conclusion

The present studies result clearly showed that the variable size compartment bunds not only conserve soil moisture for longer duration but also increases the crop productivity up to 20 per cent. The compartment bunds was mainly worked out for retaining soil moisture for longer duration and it was observed that, in compartment bunds soil moisture was retained up to 30 days whereas, field without compartment bunds conserve moisture for 19 days only. After rainfall soil moisture profile was recorded at three different depths i.e. 5, 15 and 30 cm in compartment bunds and control field and it was observed that moisture at 5, 15 and 30 cm depth after 14th day of rainfall was 5, 13 and 24 per cent for compartment bunds and 3, 5.5 and 7 per cent for control field and at last after 30 days soil moisture of compartment bunds was observed as 3, 7.5 and 12 percent whereas the control treatment was completely dry. The highest rainwater use efficiency of 1.818 kg ha-1 mm-1 was observed under 2.50×2.75 m compartment bund size as compared to their bund sizes and observed least under control treatment as 1.363 kg ha-1 mm-1. The water productivity under different treatments were compared and it was found that the highest water productivity of 0.857 kg m-3 was observed under 2.50×2.75 m compartment bund size, followed by 0.821 kg m-3 under 2.50×3.50 m compartment bund size, 0,786 kg m-3 under 2.50×4.00 m compartment bund size and observed least under control treatment as0.571 kg m-3. Hence it is showed that in all ways compartment bund size 2.50×2.75 m is best suitable for soil moisture retention, rainwater use efficiency and water productivity and therefore recommended for field conditions.

References

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How to cite this article

Kalbande Vishal Dashrathrao, Sunil Shirwal, M. Veerangouda, Sushilendra, Rajkumar R. Halidoddi, Mareappa Hirekurubaru, Murali M. and Rahul Patil (2023). Effect of Variable Size Compartment Bunds on Soil Moisture, Rainwater use Efficiency and Water Productivity of Green Gram in Semi-arid Region. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 814-819.