Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi.
Studies on water-table fluctuations and electrical conductivity were undertaken in kharif (rainy season) 1968 in the Division of Agronomy Farm, I. A. R. I. New Delhi. The summary of the results has been given below.
The water-table rises after the onset of monsoon and starts receding after cessation of rains. The maximum recession occurs in summers. The receding water-table and capillary soil moisture in shallow water-table area can be used for rabi (winter season) crop production. However, the quality of groundwater would warrant a meaningful manipulation of agronomic practices. The cultural practices cause erratic distribution of salts on cropped lands. In an area where water-table remained at 70 cm. from surface in summer, open ditches obviated further rise of water-table even in rainy season and provided better conditions for crop growth as observed in trial 2 initiated in kharif, 1969. The outflow of water due to open ditches also brought down the electrical conductivity in soil profile as well as in the surface.
