eChapters

1.1. Dry farming (Dryland farming)

Cultivation of crops in a region where the annual rainfall is more than 750 mm.

Semi arid crops with growing period of 75-120 days.

Crop failure is less frequent.

Moisture conservation practices are necessary.

14.1. Soil fertility

Ability of the soil to supply essential plant nutrients during growth period of the plants

Crop producing capacity of the soil

13.1. Soil survey and soil mapping

Refers to study and mapping of soils in the fields.

Process of classifying soil types and other soil properties in a given area and geo-encoding such information.

Draws information on geomorphology, theories of soil formation, physical geography, analysis of vegetation and land use patterns.

Primary data for the soil survey are acquired by field sampling and by remote sensing.

Remote sensing principally uses aerial photography (Illuminating the object/ target with pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with sensor), but LiDAR ( Light Detection and Ranging) and other digital techniques.

12.1. Problem soils

Chemical constraints: Salinity, sodicity, acidity and nutrient toxicities

Physical constraints : High or low permeability, sub soil hard pan, surface crusting, fluffy paddy soils, sandy soils etc.

Word manure derived from French ‘Manoeuvrer, means to manipulate, to work, to produce crop.

11.1. Sources of organic wastes

Cattle shed wastes, dung, urine and slurry from biogas plants.

Human habitation wastes-night soil, human urine, town refuse, sewage, sludge and sullage.

Poultry jitter, droppings of sheep and goat.

Slaughterhouse wastes-bone meal, meat meal, blood meal, horn and hoof meal, fish wastes.

Byproducts of agro industries-oil cakes, bagasse and press mud, fruit and vegetable processing wastes etc.

Any material of natural or synthetic origin added to the soil to supply one or more plant nutrients.

10.1. Classification of fertilizers

10.1.1. Straight fertilizers

Supply only one primary plant nutrient, namely nitrogen or phosphorus or potassium.

Eg. Urea, ammonium sulphate, potassium chloride and potassium sulphate.

9.1. Nutrient deficiency of corrective measures

9.1.1. Major and secondary nutrients

8.1. Classification of essential nutrients

8.1.1. Based on the amount required by the plant

Major nutrients-Required in large quantities eg. N, P, K.

Secondary nutrients-Required in lesser quantities compared to major nutrients eg. Ca, Mg, S.

Micronutrients-Required in trace quantities eg. Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo.

Involved in plant metabolic functions and the plant cannot complete its life cycle without the element.

7.1. Plant nutrient concentration and plant growth

1. Deficient

Lowest concentration of an essential element that limit yield severely and cause distinct deficiency symptoms.

6.1. Humus

Fraction of organic matter.

Complex and resistant mixture of brown or dark brown amorphous and colloidal organic substance.

6.2. Humus formation

1. Decomposition: Chemicals in the plant residues are broken down by soil microbes.

Simpler chemicals are metabolized into new compounds in the body tissue of soil microbes.

New compounds are subjected to further modification and synthesis as the microbial tissue is subsequently attacked by other soil microbes.

5.1. Organic matter

In sandy soil, the sticky and slimy organic materials cement the sand particles together to form aggregates.

In clayey soil, it modifies the properties of clay by reducing its cohesiveness and making clay more crumby.

4.1. Role of soil microorganisms

Soil N utilization by plants.

Dead organic matters decomposed.

Nutrient transformation.

Physical and chemical properties of soil.

CO₂ content.

Soil formation.

3.1. Soil colloids

Clay fraction of the soil contains particles less than 0.002 mm in size.

Particles less than 0.001 mm size possess colloidal properties and are known as soil colloids.

2.1. Soil structure

Important physical properties of soils

Soil texture

Soil structure

Surface area

Soil density

1.1. Definition

Soil: Thin layer of earth’s crust made up of disintegrated and decomposed rocks, complex mineral compound, organic matter, water/air and living organism like bacteria, fungi, insects and worms and serves as the natural medium of growth of plants.

Provides nutrients, moisture, anchorage (support) and air to plants.

Parent materials are igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks.

Soil Science: Science dealing with soil (Natural resource) on the surface of the earth, including pedology (Soil genesis, classification and mapping), physical, chemical, biological and fertility properties and their relation to management for crop production.

Arid regions lie under the category of wastelands which are not being used to their fullest potential therefore, it almost barren. Hot arid regions are sparsely populated with human and animal population and experiences various biotic exploitation of the already very poor resources base. The scarcity of water poses biggest hindrance in limits the crop productivity as climatic factor. Yet, nature has bestowed the arid region fruits with characteristic qualities. Some fruit crops can grow successfully in such type of regions. Among these crops, cardia most suitable crop for cultivation under such type of arid climate. Some regional names of cordia are Pidar, Ponugeri, Maruvilli, Geduri, Spistan, Bhakar, Borla, Kalo Bohori (Nepali) etc. It is growing not only all over Asia but also nearly whole of the globe especially in tropical environment. In Indian sub-continent, it is growing from east Myanmar to west Afghanistan. It is grown in arid region and having numerous utilities. It is found in a variety of the forest of Rajasthan to moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats and Tidal forest of Myanmar. In Maharashtra, it grows in moist monsoon forests also. In Rajasthan, its commercial plantations are being done in Pali, Sirohi, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jalore districts.

Now, it is becoming popular as monoculture cultivation as well as under agroforestry system in arid region. It does not grow gregariously but is found growing singly in moist shady ravines and valleys. In areas with annual rainfall less than 500mm, it thrives along streams and depressions where moisture is available. The hot arid zone stretch 32 M ha or 0.32 million square kilometer long covering Rajasthan (62%), Gujrat (20%), Andra Pradesh (7%), Punjab (5%), Haryana (4%), Karnataka (3%) and Maharastra (0.4%). In these area fruits selection for cultivation must be cope up that their maximal growth period coincides with the period of water availability in the soil. Few of the xerophytes characteristics are: deeper root system, deciduous nature, reduced foliage, sunken of covered stomata, waxy coating or hairiness on leaf surface which minimize the evapotranspiration and makes plant adaptive to the hostile climate. These qualities are found in cordia plant which can grow in this area without any problem after management of some agro-techniques.

Ker (Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew, (synonym Capparis aphylla, Roth) is a multipurpose, perennial, woody shrub or small tree found growing naturally in hot arid regions and semi-arid subtropics in various parts of the world. In India, it is known by different names in different parts of the country. In Rajasthan, it is generally called Kair or Ker while in Haryana it is known as Teent or Dela. Some more synonym by which ker is known are Caper, Karyal, Hanbag, Cari, Karira etc while in English, it is known as Caper berry. This species is an important constituent of arid ecosystem and plays significant roles in sustaining the ecosystem. The peoples of Indian Thar desert have known the importance of this shrub for long back. On account of its acquired xerophytic adaptive characteristics, it is capable of growing in various kinds of habitats including wastelands. It is also suitable for stabilizing sand dunes and controlling soil erosion by wind and water. Due to its xerophytic adaptive nature, the plant grows successfully under harsh climatic conditions of arid regions. Berry-shaped unripe fruits are rich in carbohydrates, proteins and minerals. It was abundant about five decades back, but, with increase in populations of humans and livestock and more demand of land for agricultural purpose, it has been over-exploited and eliminated by tractor ploughing and excessive browsing pressure from livestock. This has resulted in significant reduction in plant population of ker, but people still try to retain some plants on farm boundaries as this also prevent soil erosion which is quite high due to wind.

Karonda (Carissa carandas Linn.) is also known as ‘Christ Thorn Tree’ and an important fruit plant of semi-arid and arid regions. It is an evergreen, hardy, spiny bush which is use as live fencing surrounding the orchards or filed. One or two plant was planted in backyards at rural place. It is also grown in wasteland, problematic soil, unproductive land and low moisture conditions. It can be also grown as ornamental purpose due to pink reddish fruits and evergreen nature. Plant produce sufficient amount of fruits and fruits are sour and astringent in taste. Fruits havenutritive value like rich source of iron, fair amount of vit. C and several medicinal values.

Wood apple is also known as kaith, kavat, curd apple and monkey fruit. It is found almost throughout the country. It is one of the very hardy tree found growing in arid and semi arid regions of the country. Hill region of northern India and Ceylon are supposed to be its native land (Reuther et al., 1967). Chundawat (1990) thought it to be a native of India and Sri Lanka. It is a popular tree of forest, Indoor yard garden and can be exploited for regular cultivation in dry areas. The cricket ball size fruits have sweet and aromatic pulp, eaten fresh or used for drinks, chutneys, jellies etc. In forests of Rajasthan, it is commonly found in Aravalli range and Hadoti Plateau.

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is a tropical evergreen tree species of Leguminosae family. It is a very versatile plant species which can grow easily up to 1500 m above sea level and found in abundance in the Indian subcontinent and African continent. The name Tamarindus indica was given by Linnaeus in the eighteenth century, inspired by the Arabic name “Tamar-ul-Hind”, meaning ‘date of India’. Tamarind is known by different vernacular names in different languages. In India, tamarind grows naturally in forest and also develops unattended on wastelands. Therefore, it is suitable to grow along the roads, in agroforestry as multipurpose tree species or as fire breaks for forest margins.