Design Development and Performance Evaluation of Tractor Mounted Basin Lister for In Situ Moisture Conservation in Vertisols

Abstract

About 70% of the world s staple food continues and will continue to be harvested from rainfed areas, since the scope for further expansion of irrigation is limited due to growing competition for water and the high investment cost. Efficient conservation of rain water is the central issue in successful dry land farming. One of the effective soil and water conservation practice is the preparation of basins in the field. The two adjacent side bunds running across the main slope are connected by cross bunds at regular intervals. Thus the entire field is divided into number of basins. When rainfall occurs the water is stored in the basins to infiltrate into the soil by preventing surface runoff. At the same times the loss of soil due to erosion is also prevented. newlineThe basin tillage practice is known by many names, including tied ridges, furrow damming, furrow dikes, basin listing, and micro basin tillage. This practice is found beneficial for much rainfed crops resulting in increased crop production. As the main ridges developed by check basin former perpendicular to soil slope, the runoff velocity decreases. Hence it proved a best treatment in sloppy area to conserve soil and water. Contd..... newline