1National Institute for Aboitic Stress, Baramati, Maharastra
2Jawahrlal Nehru Tehnological University, Hydrabad – 5000 072, A.P.
Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santhoshnagar, Hyderabad, – 500 059. A.P.
Erratic rainfall, lack of soil moisture during crop establishment as well as crop growing season are the major problems faced by dryland farmer. This paper illustrates experimental results of interactive influence of the tillage time and implement on the soil moisture retention and bulk density under different rainfall situations of the Alfisols of semi-arid tropics. Four tillage tools viz bullock drawn plough, bullock drawn harrow, tractor drawn cultivator and tractor drawn disc-harrow were used in the study under 10, 20, 30, 40 and 80 mm rainfall situations. The moisture data revealed that, highest and lowest boundary moisture percent (db) in which tillage could be possible in Hyderabad region Alfisols was 16.1 and 5.8 percent respectively. The tillage operations were possible in 20, 30, 40 and 80 mm rainfall events in day one to three, while with 40 and 80mm rainfallin day four only. Lowest soil bulk densities observed in the study were 1.12 g/cc under 10mm rainfall with tractor drawn harrow in day 2, and 1.14 g/cc under 20mm rainfall with tractor drawn cultivator in day 3. The tractor drawn cultivator which scored maximum OPI (44) was recommended for summer tillage that retained high soil moisture and achieveed proper tillage depth under rainfed Alfisol conditions.
