Problem of crop production in drylands | Climatic constraints in problem of crop production in drylands | challenges of dryland agriculture | Dryland farming system | problem of dryland agriculture related to climate

PROBLEMS OF CROP PRODUCTION IN DRYLANDS

Problem of crop production in drylands

[ Image credit by:- world environmental conservancy]

■ The problem with agricultural production in arid areas is that most crops in arid and semi-arid regions remain fueled by rain.

■ Most farmers are small-scale farmers with limited resources. The narrow resource base only allows for low-input subsistence agriculture with low and unstable crop yields. The low productivity of agriculture in rainy regions is due to the cumulative effect of many constraints on agricultural production.

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Climatic constraints in the problem of agricultural production in arid areas

A) Precipitation characteristics: among the different climatic parameters, precipitation is an important factor influencing crop production in arid regions.

(i) Variable precipitation: precipitation varies in both temporal and spatial dimensions, annual precipitation varies greatly from year to year and, of course, its coefficient of variation is very high. In general, the greater the rainfall, the lower the coefficient of variation. In other words, poor harvests due to uncertain rains are more frequent in regions with less rainfall. The average annual rainfall in India is 1192 mm, while in Andhra Pradesh it is 890 mm. Based on the average annual rainfall, India can be divided into four zones. More than a third of India's total geographic area receives rainfall of less than 750.

ii) Intensity and distribution: in general, more than 50% of the total rainfall is generally received in 3-5 days of rain. Such heavy rains result in substantial water loss due to surface runoff. This process also accelerates soil erosion. The distribution of rainfall during the growing season is more important than the total rainfall in rainfed agriculture. iii) Aberrations or variations in monsoon behavior.

(a) Late monsoon start: If the monsoon start is delayed, the crops / varieties recommended for the region cannot be sown in time. Delayed sowing leads to uneconomical crops.

b) Early monsoon withdrawal: this situation is equal to or more dangerous than the late monsoon onset. The rainy season crops will be subject to terminal stress which will lead to low yields. Likewise, post-rain crops fail due to a lack of available soil moisture, especially during the reproduction and maturity stages.

(c) Long periods of drought: Monsoon breaks for 7-10 days may not be a serious concern. Interruptions of more than 15 days, especially in critical phases of soil water stress, lead to reduced yields. Drought due to breaking monsoons can adversely affect crops in shallow versus deep soils.

Major area of crop production in drylands

[ Image credit by:- Wikimedia common]

B) High atmospheric temperature :- Due to the high atmospheric temperature, the atmospheric demand for humidity increases, causing high evapotranspiration losses that cause humidity stress.

C) Low relative humidity: - It results in ET losses which cause the greatest stress on temperature when humidity is limiting.

D) Hot and dry winds :-Hot, dry winds cause leaves to rot, resulting in moisture stress. Strong and turbulent winds, especially during the summer month, cause soil erosion resulting in sandstorms and loss of fertile land.

E) High demand for atmospheric water:- Due to the high demand for atmospheric water, the soil is powerful. Evapotranspiration (PET) exceeds precipitation for most of the year

HORTICULTURAL CROPS:-

Soil constraints

■ The different soil groups found in dry areas are black soils, red soils and alluvial soils. The limitations for agricultural production are different in different soil groups. The predominant group of alluvial soils where problems for agricultural production are not as acute as in red and black soils.

The different soil constraints for agricultural production are: -

a) Inadequate availability of moisture from the sun: the moisture retention capacity of soils in arid regions is shallow due to shallow depth, especially in alfisol (red soils), low rainfall and low organic matter b) Low organic matter content: The organic matter content in most soils under conditions of dry earth content is very low (<1%) due to the high temperature and low addition of organic fertilizers.

c) Poor soil fertility: due to the low accumulation of organic matter and the loss of the upper fertile layer due to soil erosion, arid soils have a poor state of fertility. Most arid soils are deficient in nitrogen and zinc.

D) Soil deterioration due to erosion: - In India about 175 m.ha of land are subject to various degradations, among which the predominant soil erosion. Erosion causes the loss of the upper fertile soil, leaving a poor subsoil for growing crops.

E) Soil crust problem: - In the case of red earth, the formation of hard surface soil layers makes it difficult for seedlings to appear, which ultimately affect the plant population.

F) Presence of hard layers and deep cracks: - The presence of hard layers in the soil and deep cracks affects crop production especially in the case of black soils.

CULTIVATION PROCESS

Existing management practices adopted by farmers are developed on the basis of the long-term experience of farmers.

Traditional management practices are:

□ Plow along the slope

□ Seed of diffusion

□ Sowing the monsoons

□ Choice of crop based on rainfall

□ FYM application in limited quantities

□ Water by hand

□ Mixed culture

□ Use of the conventional collection system

□ Traditional storage system

Heavy weed infestation: - This is the most serious problem in arid areas. Unfortunately, the environment conducive to the growth of crops is also conducive to the growth of weeds. Weed seeds germinate earlier than crop seeds and try to suppress crop growth. Weed problems are high in rainy areas due to continuous rains and severe labor shortages. Weed suppression is needed early on in crop growth to reduce crop yield decline.

Lack of suitable varieties: - Most of the varieties of crops available for cultivation on the mainland are intended for irrigated agriculture. There are no special varieties exclusively in arid areas. Therefore, even greater efforts are needed to develop variations in different crops intended solely for rainfed agriculture. Socio-economic constraints.

The economic situation of dryland farmers is very precarious because

■ Less access to inputs

■ No credit availability over time

■ The risk-bearing capacity of dryland farmers is very low Therefore, dryland farmers are turning to low-input agriculture which results in low yields.

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