Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T 5I 2: Pomelo 12712
‘t’ test @ 5% S
Water productivity enhancement strategies
I 1: Sensor based micro irrigation during dry spell
Note: * Pod yield per ha ** Grain yield per ha
I 2: Control
S- Significant; NS- Not Significant
T1-18P-1083
Conservation Furrow-A Low-Cost Climate Resilient Technology to
Enhance the Productivity of Rainfed Crops and Cropping Systems in
Scarce Rainfall Zone of Andhra Pradesh
A. Malliswara Reddy 1 , B. Sahadeva Reddy 1 , C. Radhakumari 1 , B. Ravindranatha
Reddy 1 , R. Veeraraghavaiah 1 , G. Ravindrachary 2 and K.A. Gopinath 2
1 Agricultural Research Station, Ananthapuramu-515 001, Andhra Pradesh, India.
2
ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad-500 059, India
Among various extreme climatic events, of which drought (moisture stress) is one of the most
important abiotic stresses which influence the rainfed crops productivity. In India, moisture
stress is a recurring chronic problem, which has a sizeable proportion of area falling in arid and
semi-arid tropics. Two-thirds of India’s agricultural land is vulnerable to moisture stress of
various intensities, and the probability of occurrence of moisture stress is over 35 per cent. The
intra-seasonal dryspells due to erratic distribution of rainfall coupled with crop season
significantly influenced the productivity of rainfed crops. Adequate moisture is essential during
key developmental stages and even short periods of moisture stress during these stages can
cause significant loss in yield of rainfed crops. Efficient management of a dry spells with a
suitable rainwater management practice is desired for different crops under rainfed agriculture.
The conservation furrow is a simple and low cost in situ rain water conservation practice
adopted in alfisols and associated soils with problems of crusting and sealing for rainfed areas
(400-900 mm rainfall) with moderate slope varying from 1 to 4 %. Furrows at 3-5 m apart on
contour or across slope are opened either during planting or during intercultural operation using
a country plough in this system. These furrows harvest the local runoff water and improve soil
moisture in the adjoining crop rows, particularly during the period of water stress. This practice
has been found to increase the crop yields by 10-25% (Venkateswarlu et al., 2016). Hence, the
present study was conducted to identify the most suitable and efficient low-cost climate
resilient technology to enhance the productivity in predominant rainfed crops and cropping
systems under scarcity zone of Andhra Pradesh.
58 | Page Resilience through land and water management interventions, water management and governance