Soil Characteristics Related to Non-uniformity in Crop Growth and Perpe tuation of Barren Patches in Cultivated Saline Fields

The occurrence of barren patches in cultivated saline fields is a highly conspicuous phenomenon in south-western districts of Haryana. The soil characteristics of pre-delineated cropped and barren portions within the same field were studied at different locations after the harvest of barley. The infiltration rate was comparatively much lower at the barren patches, which occupied relatively higher elevations and the surface soil appeared to be more compact as indicated by the bulk density values. The salt concentration, both at the time of seeding and harvest of the crop also remained much higher at barren sites. It appeared that a differential teaching of salts during rainy season, because of wide variation in infiltration characteristics and differential resalinisation during dry periods due to differences in soil moisture content and elevation were primarily related to the occurrence and perpetuation of barren patches in cultivated saline fields. Field levelling and delineating low and high infiltration zo>es by earthen dikes so that rain or irrigation water can be impounded separately, is likely to ensure greater uniformity in leaching of salts and consequently the crop growth.