AICRP on Management of Salt Affected Soils and Use of Saline Water in Agriculture, Agricultural Research Station, Kanakagiri Road, Gangavati, Karnataka-583 22 7 (University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur)
*E-mail: halidoddiraju@gmail.com
Online published on 13 May, 2016.
An-farm experiment was carried out during kharif 2007–08 to 2010–11 on the effect of different rainwater harvesting practices along with gypsum application on soil properties, growth and yield of sunflower on sodic soil at Kyarihal village nearby Agricultural Research Station, Gangavati, Koppal district, Karnataka state. There were nine treatment combinations., T1-Deep ploughing with 75% Gypsum Requirement (GR), T2-Deep ploughing with 50% GR, T3-Tied ridges with 75% GR, T4-Tied ridges with 50% GR, T5-Compartment bunding with 75% GR, T6-Compartment bunding with 50% GR, T7-Flat bed with 75% GR, T8-Flat bed with 50% GR and T9-Control (Flat bed without gypsum). The pooled data of four years revealed that significantly higher and lower moisture contents were recorded in the tied ridges with 75% GR and flat bed without gypsum at seed setting stage, respectively. Similarly, leaching of salts was higher under tied ridges, while lower under flat bed system as compared to other treatments. Significantly higher germination percentage, plant height and head diameter was found in T3 and lower in T9 treatments. Significantly higher seed yield (1.04t ha−1) was observed in T3 followed by T4 (1.0t ha−1) and least (0.58t ha−1) was recorded in T9. However, significantly higher gross returns ( 31, 200 ha-1), net returns ( 21, 500 ha−1) and Benefit: Cost ratio (3.30) was obtained in T3 and least in control (T9).
Gypsum, In-situ rainwater harvesting, Sodic soil, Sunflower
