Impact of Inter-terrace Conservation Measures on Rainwater Conservation, Runoff, Soil loss and Sorghum Yield on Vertisols under Dryland conditions of Semi Arid Tropics of South India

Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm of the Central Soil and Water Conservation Research Centre, Bellary, Karnataka during 2000-1 to 2002–03 in rabi season to study the impact of inter-terrace conservation measures on rain water conservation, runoff, soil loss, sorghum yield and soil properties. Decreased runoff and soil loss was observed in compartmental bunding + surface mulch treatment followed by graded border strips. Higher runoff and soil loss was recorded in control (up and down cultivation). Compartmental bunding + surface mulch and graded border strips increased the sorghum grain yield by 51.8 and 35.9% respectively, owing to reduction in runoff, soil loss and increased availability of moisture and nutrients, viz. N, P and K. Compartmental bunding + surface mulch and graded border strips recorded higher straw yield of 3043 kg ha⁻¹ and 2868 kg ha⁻¹ respectively. Soil moisture was conserved better in the top 60 cm in compartmental bunding + surface mulch. Higher moisture conserved with adoption of compartmental bunding + surface mulch resulted in higher values of yield components as compared to other treatments. Adoption of inter-terrace conservation measure, compartmental bunding + surface mulch reduced runoff and soil loss and improved the rainwater conservation, available nutrients, crop growth and yield.