Search

Shelterbelts and windbreaks play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, particularly in arid regions where harsh climatic conditions pose significant challenges to land use. In India, where a substantial portion of the landscape is characterized by dry, arid and semi-arid conditions, the strategic implementation of windbreaks can mitigate soil erosion, reduce evaporation and enhance microclimatic conditions for crops. Globally, research in this area has gained momentum as the impacts of climate change intensify, further exacerbating the vulnerabilities of these fragile ecosystems. In India, the technology was practiced diligently to control movement of sand dunesand to stop desertification extending further from the Thar desert. By integrating native tree species and adopting region-specific management practices, studies have shown that shelterbelts/ windbreaks can significantly improve soil fertility and crop yield, while also providing habitats for biodiversity and other ecosystem services. Furthermore, the socio-economic benefits for local communities, such as improved livelihoods and resilience against climatic extremes, underline the importance of windbreak research in these regions. This review aims to synthesize existing knowledge on windbreak and shelterbelt practices in India's arid landscapes, highlighting successful cases, trends in research and potential pathways for future research. By examining the multifaceted benefits of these ecological structures, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of their role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing resilience in vulnerable communities and opening vistas for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incorporation of leaf litters in agroforestry systems can meet a significant share of nutrients demand and improve crop yield. The Citrus aurontifolia, Aegle marmelos and Cordia myxa (among fruit trees) and Colophospermum mopane, Acacia senegal, Acacia tortilis, Dalbergia sissoo (among trees) are well-adapted species to the arid environment. Unfortunately, little work has been done in the past to study the influence of leaf litters of these species on yield and nutrition of crops grown in arid region. Therefore, the present experiment was planned to study the influence of leaf litters of Colophospermum mopane, Acacia senegal, Acacia tortilis, Dalbergia sissoo, Citrus aurontifolia, Aegle marmelos and Cordia myxa on yield and uptake of nutrients in moth bean and Indian mustard in arid region. Methods: Field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Bikaner in moth bean-mustard rotation during 2010-11 and 2011-12 by incorporating leaf litters of seven tree species i.e. Mopane (Colophospermum mopane), Gum acacia (Acacia Senegal), Umbrella tree (Acacia tortilis), Indian rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo), Sour lime (Citrus aurantifolia), Assyrian plum (Cordia myxa) and Bengal quince (Aegle marmelos) in randomized block design with three replications. Grain and straw yield was recorded and analysed for N, P and K content. Result: The maximum grain yield of moth bean and its residual effect on mustard was observed in the soils amended with leaf litters of Citrus aurontifolia followed by Aegle marmelos and Dalbergia sissoo. The total uptake of N, P and K was significantly higher in the treatments of Citrus aurontifolia and Aegle marmelos, which was due to the higher dry matter production of crops, faster rate of litter decomposition and higher release of nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two year field experiment was conducted in hot arid region at Bikaner, Rajasthan to investigate the effects of application of sulphydryl compounds (thioglycollic acid, TGA; thiourea TU) on growth traits, photosynthetic efficiency, yield components and yield of moth bean under water deficit conditions. The experiment comprised seven treatments (water spray, TGA 200 mg L-1, TGA 300 mg L-1, TGA 400 mg L-1, TU 500 mg L-1, TU 750 mg L-1 and TU 1000 mg L-1) and laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Application of sulphydryl compounds had significant effects on growth, photosynthetic traits, activities of anti-oxidant enzymes, and yield of moth bean. The sulphydryl compounds sprayed plants had 24-70, 13-40 and 13-20% higher activities of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione reductase, GR; gluthathione-s-transferase, GST), photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthetic rate, PN ; stomatal conductance, gs ; transpiration rate, E) and seed yield respectively compared to unsprayed plants. The results suggest that application of sulphydryl compounds mitigate moisture deficit induced negative effects on growth and photosynthetic parameters which lead to better seed yield of moth bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CropSyst is one of the most important process-oriented simulation models largely used for field crops all over the world to study the effect of climate, soil and management practices on crop productivity. In the present study, we have calibrated and validated the CropSyst model for groundnut crop grown at farmer's field in IGNP Stage-II of Bikaner. CropSyst model was calibrated using the experimental data of crop parameters, soil profile data and observed daily weather data of experimental site for 2012 and validated the experimental data of crop growth and yield parameters for 2013. The results of the study showed that the CropSyst model simulated the crop growth parameter data viz. green area index, seed yield, above ground biomass and N-uptake of groundnut reasonably well. The seed yield, above ground biomass and N- uptake was validated well by the model with relative error of 3.3, 2.2 and 8.4%, respectively. The total water applied in groundnut was 728.9 and 619.6 mm in 2012 and 2013, respectively out of this 664.9 and 530.5mm consumed in evapotranspiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on "Evaluation of Cropsyst model for yield and water productivity of clusterbean" was conducted on farmers field during kharif 2012 at village Mainawali in Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. The soils of the area are alluvial and calcareous in nature formed under arid and semi arid climate. The soils of site are brown to greyish brown and dark grey in colour, besides being calcareous and slightly alkaline in reaction having 67.7, 11.1 and 21.0% of sand, clay and silt, respectively in 0-15 cm soil depth with pH 8.09 and low soil organic matter content. The simulate yield of clusterbean were closer to the observed clusterbean yield. Simulations of early clusterbean above ground biomass development matched the field data reasonably well. Final above ground biomass, however, was over estimated by the model. The total water applied in clusterbean was 405.8 mm out of this 326.7 mm consumed in ET. Thus, ET constituted 81% of total water applied and deep drainage constituted 13% and rest 6% stored as residual soil moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station , Bikaner during Kharif seasons of 2012 and 2013 on Squash Melon (Tinda) crop under rainfed conditions to evaluate four treatments of Farm Yard Manure viz.,0,20,30 and 40 t ha-1 and three treatment of mulching viz., no mulch, straw mulch and plastic mulch. Experiment was conducted in split - plot design with three replications using the Tinda cv. Selection 1. Vine length, numbers of fruits per plant and yield of squash melon (Tinda) crop were significantly influenced by FYM, mulching and their interaction during both the years of experiment. Application of FYM recorded significant improvement in yield up to 30 t ha-1. Averaged across mulching, the yield with application of FYM @ 20, 30 and 40 t ha-1 had 43.3, 83.9 and 87.4 % higher yield compared to control. Application of mulch brought significant improvement in yield and its component. The straw mulch recorded highest vine length, numbers of fruits per plant and yield. Plastic and straw mulch had 24.80 and 42.25 % higher yield than no-mulch. The response of mulch varied with level of FYM application. The highest yield was recorded with application of 40 FYM t ha-1 combined with straw mulch, however the difference between FYM 30 t ha-1 and 40 t ha-1 was non-significant under both straw and plastic mulching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]