Dryland Agriculture Project, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Campus, Bangalore, Karnataka
The seedling emergence of ragi increased with increasing soil moisture content of the 0–15 cm layer and with decreasing penetrometer reading. The moisture content of the 15–30 cm layer did not have anv relationship with seedling emergence. The moisture content and penetrometer readings were nagatively correlated whereas the penetrometer readings and bulk-density were positively correlated. The application of straw mulch has a very prominent role in decreasing the crust strength by reducing the force of impact of rain drops. The seedling emergence of ragi decreased with increased penetrometer reading. The crusts had higher amounts of finer fractions than soil below the crust.
Soil crust, penetrometer reading, seedling emergence, different crops
