Possibility of growing interseasonal crops using residual moisture in paddy fields in dry zone of Sri Lanka
1992
Liyanage, Damayanthi Lelwala Nirmala
This experiment was conducted in a paddy field area in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka, after harvesting of the paddy crop, to investigate the possibility of growing an interseasonal crop using residual soil moisture. Three soil management practices i.e. Fallow (No tilled), Surface Tilled and Straw Mulched were tested for profile soil moisture variations during the season. Comparisons were also made when cowpea was grown as a crop in above conditions. Different crop measurements with soil characteristics were recorded throughout the season. Mineralization of nitrogen during the season, evapotranspiration rate and diurnal changes of soil moisture profile at the peak water use period were also investigated. The moisture content of the top soil layer showed a rapid decrease than that of inner layers, after the harvesting of paddy. The moisture content of first soil layer was not sufficient for successful germination of cowpea seeds, however after an irrigation for the establishment, plants could survive with the help of residual moisture in soil. The apparent water requirement of cowpea was 175 mm and the estimated water requirement was 288 mm. The ground water contribution was also estimated and found to be 30 mm for the growing season. An average yield of 2.14 mt/ha was obtained in No Till and Straw Mulched treatments. However, Surface Tilled treatment produced a considerably lower yield than above two treatments. No significant accumulations of salts near the soil surface were observed during the growth of plants. Soil pH does not vary with the treatments or time. No treatment was found to be significantly superior than others, under the conditions tested. However, the planting of second crop under the fallow paddy field conditions without tillage may be appropriate, when considering the economical aspects.
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