Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
From the above findings, it could be concluded that application of hydrogel @ 2.5 kg ha -1 and
FYM @ 10 t ha -1 was found superior in increasing the productivity, rain water use efficiency
and economics of groundnut under rainfed conditions of Saurashtra region.
T1-13P-1023
Straw Mulching as Climate Resilience Measure for In-situ Water
Management and Enhancing Productivity of Rainfed Soybean
S.H. Narale*, M.S. Pendke, W.N. Narkhede, B.V.Asewar and P.H. Gourkhede
Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani (M.S.)
*sskhune2602@gmail.com
Soybean is a major kharif crop grown in Marathwada region of Maharashtra under rainfed
condition and is being apreferred crop by the marginal and small rainfed farmers. The region
receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region. The
productivity of soybean particularly in Marathwada region is variable due occurrence of 3 to 4
dryspells during July to September. The crop productivity decreases with either deficiency of
rainfall or its distribution or due to moisture stress in critical growth period. Mulching is one
of the important practices to conserve rainwater and thereby soil moisture which help sustain
the crop productivity. It was also noted that straw mulching increased soil moisture content in
the maize-wheat cropping system in the north-western regions of India, and thus enhanced crop
productivity (Sharma et al. 2010).The study evaluated the effect of straw mulching on
productivity and profitability of soybean with in-situ moisture conservation on farmer’s field.
Methodology
Research demonstrations were conducted on farmers’ fields during 2016-17 to 2020-21 under
FLD at village Babhulgoan in Parbhani District in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Most
of the farmers were cultivating soybean under rainfed condition and were advocated to apply
straw mulch in inter-row of soybean crop for moisture conservation. Demonstration fields were
selected based on the willingness of the farmers. The rainfall data was collected from the
nearest rain gauge station. The duration of dryspells and number of dryspells were recorded
every year. The data on crop yield in both the field i.e. with straw mulch and without straw
mulch were recorded.
Results
The mean annual rainfall of the station is 880.9 mm. Out of the 5years, above normal rainfall
occurred during 4 years and below normal rainfall was observed in one year. However, the
distribution of rainfall was different in every year. Out of the 5 years, 3 years i.e. 2017, 2019
and 2020, 4 dryspells were observed every year which has resulted moisture stress during crop
period.
46 | Page Resilience through land and water management interventions, water management and governance