In situ moisture conservation pays during dry spells in Soybean in Marathwada region of Maharashtra
Success Story
The National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture was implemented in Pangri village, taluka Jintur Parbhani district since kahrif 2010-11. Threre was a deficit rainfall of 29 per cent during kharif 2011 i.e 636 mm of rainfall against the annual average of 870 mm due to which the annual crops under moisture stress at various stages. To mitigate the dry spell, the farmers were advised to adopt in situ moisture conservation practices like conservation furrow and broad bed furrow in sorghum + pigeonpea intercropping system, sole soybean and sole pigeonpea . The in situ moisture conservation techniques were adopted 30 days after sowing of the crops. Thus, the rainwater particularly in the month of August was conserved and utilized efficiently by all the crops which otherwise experienced moisture stress. The farmer, Mr. Tukaram Palwe could realize highest soybean yield of 22.5 q/ha with opening of furrow after every 4 rows at 30 DAS. Another farmer, Mr. Ramrao Budhwant obtained soybean yield of 21.5 q/ha by adopting conservation furrow at a distance of 10 m interval. Other farmers (Mr. Fakira wagh, Mr. Dyneshwar Budhwant and Mr. Ramkisan Budhwant) could obtain soybean yield of 20 q/ha by adopting conservation furrow. The farmers viz. Mr. Shankar Budhwant, Mr. Kashinath Budhwant, Mr. Deepak Ghuge and Mr. Bhagwan Budwant who did not practice any in situ moisture conservation practices in soybean could realize in soybean yield of 17.5 to 18.25 q/ha only. The soybean crop yield data(Table 1) indicated that due to adoption of opening of furrow and conservation furrow as in situ rain water conservation techniques, the crop yield was increased up to 28.5 per cent. Table 1. Impact of in situ moisture conservation practices on yield Soybean yield at a NICRA Village Pangri, Parbhani district
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