for Rainfed Areas-A Review

300 250 200 150 2008 2009 2010 1977-2010 Evaporation (2000-2010) Over 70% rain occurs during monsoon (July-August)

Rabi (winter) crops are

sown on

stored soil

moisture of rains during monsoon 100 BARI, Chakwal: Established Latitude Altitude Jan Feb 1979 72 O 32 O Apr 575 m TOTAL AREA 89 ha RESEARCH AREA 65 ha May Jun July Agu Sep Oct Nov Dec Dr. Abid Subhani 1 [email protected]



Green water (water contained in the soil) is a key factor in rainfed agriculture



Rainfed agriculture covers 80 per cent of the world’s agricultural area and contributes two-third of global food production



Adequate soil moisture leads to higher yields



Unreliable/insufficient rainfall is a major limiting factor for agricultural productivity in rainfed areas



Soil moisture plays a significant role in nutrient absorption/uptake by the plant

•

Major constraints of low Agric. Productivity in Rainfed areas: (i) low and erratic rainfall (ii) soil erosion (loss of top fertile soil and moisture) (iii) small and fragmented land holdings (iv) low agricultural inputs

•

Possible approaches to increase the agric. Production 1. By bringing more area under cultivation (horizontal expansion) 2. Increasing the yield per hectare (vertical expansion). There is vast scope for horizontal and vertical expansions by increasing the water productivity and FUE .

Cultivated Area (Mha)

8,7 3,1 Rainfed Irrigated Cultivated Area of Punjab 11.8 Mha Irrigated cultivated Area 8.7 Mha Rainfed cultivated area 3.1 Mha Districts: Attock Rawalpindi Jhelum Chakwal Parts of: Sialkot Narowal Gujrat Khushab Mianwali Jhang Bhakkar Layyah D.G.Khan

Rajanpur 4

>

1000mm

Murree,KotliSattianTeh.

500 to 1000mm

Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal

300-500mm

Attock, Chakwal, Khushab

150-300mm

Mianwali, Jhang, Bhakkar, Layyah, M’Garh, DGKhan,

Rainfall Pattern at Chakwal

Rainfall (mm) 250 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 200

Almost

70%

rain occur during Monsoon;

Rabi crops are

sown on

stored soil

moisture of rains received during Monsoon

150 100 50 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

7

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 9,4 10 0 Oct 5,4 7,6 4,3 Nov Av.

%age 16,3 9,3 Dec 20 11,4 Jan 75,4 46,4 43,1 Feb 26,5 Mar

60 50 52,8 FARM NUMBER (%) AREA (%) 40 29,8 30 24,7 20,6 20 19,1 17,5 15,8 10 2 0 LESS THAN 1 01 – 05 7,7 06 – 10 11 – 20 Farm Size (Hectares) 2,6 21 – 60 7,1 0,3 OVER 60

CROP

Contribution of Punjab Barani tract

(Area wise: 2009-10) PUNJAB AREA (000 ha) BARANI AREA (000 ha) BARANI AREA CONTRIBUTION (%) WHEAT CHICKPEA LENTIL RAPSEED & MUSTARD GROUNDNUT MUNG MASH SORGHUM PEARL MILLETS 6483.4

900.1

20.7

127.6

81.8

189.3

30.4

147.1

361.8

652.4

818.5

16.2

32.3

76.3

8.5

26.3

86.3

143.8

10.1

90.9

78.3

25.3

93.3

4.5

86.5

58.7

40.0

CROP WHEAT

Contribution of Punjab Barani tract

(Production wise: 2009-10) PUNJAB Production (000 tons) BARANI Production (000 tons) BARANI AREA CONTRIBUTION (%) 16776 883 6.3

CHICKPEA LENTIL RAPSEED & MUSTARD GROUNDNUT MUNG MASH SORGHUM PEARL MILLETS TOTAL 382.5

10.1

108.6

49.9

101.8

13.6

76.0

205.0

17724 324 6.9

20.7

41.6

2.5

10.9

32.7

43.7

1366 84.7

68.3

19.1

83.4

2.5

80.1

43.0

21.3

7.7

Use of NPK (kg/ha) in different areas of Punjab and NWFP during 2000-01 PARTICULARS PUNJAB (IRRIGATED)

Cotton-Wheat (region) Mixed crops (region)

Rainfed-Punjab

Pulses-wheat (region) Maize-wheat (region)

NWFP (IRRIGATED)

Mixed crops (region)

Rainfed-NWFP

Pulses-wheat (region)

N 116 99 31 19 123 19 P 2 O 5 24 20 7 4 27 4 K 2 O 1 2 0.5

Source: Nisar and Rashid, 2003

Fertilizer Use Efficiency (FUE)

FUE:

The amount of produce increased by application of one unit of nutrient /fertilizer

(Agronomist) FUE:

Is the percent recovery of the applied nutrient in the harvested portion of crop

(Soil Scientist) FUE:

Rupees returned for each rupee spent on fertilizer

(Economist) Source: Nisar and Rashid, 2003

Fertilizer Use Efficiency (FUE)/%Recovery

Nitrogen:

Utilization of applied N ranges from 40% in flooded (lowland) rice to about 50-60% in irrigated upland crops.

Phosphorus:

Only about 10-25% of the applied P is utilized by the first crop, with residual P being partly available over a period of time to succeeding crops.

Potassium:

Utilization efficiency of applied K is reported fairly high, about 70%.

Source: Nisar and Rashid, 2003

Role of water in the use of fertilizers

• Availability of soil moisture is an important determinant of fertilizer use in the semi-arid areas • Availability of soil moisture is essential for fertilizer breakup in ionic forms, their movement in the soil and nutrient absorption/uptake & use • Efficient use of nutrients after uptake depends on continuous supply of moisture • It provide substrate for different reactions/functions in plant cell like photosynthesis.

physiological • Water serves as transport agent for nutrients and products of plant metabolism

Factors Affecting Fertilizer Efficiency

*Reduction in % 10-25* Poor Seedbed preparation 5-10* Improper Fertilizer Placement 5-20* Seeding Improper 20-40* Sowing Delay in

Sources of Reduction in fertilizer efficiency

20-40* Inappropriate Crop Variety 10-25* Inadequate Population Plant Source: FAO Fertilizer Plant Nutr. Bulletin 2, 1981 10-20* Inadequate I rrigation/moisture 15-50* Infestation Weed 5-50* Insect Attack 20-50* Imbalanced fertilizer application

4,5 4 3,5 3 2,5 2 1,5 1 0,5 0 Fertilizer response of irrigated and rainfed wheat in Pakistan

RF Irri

1 2 3 4 Fertilizer rates (kg/ha) 5 Fertilizer Rates kg/ha IRRIGATED RAINFED 1 .

0 - 0 - 0 0 -0- 0 2 .

56 - 56 - 0 30-0-0 3 .

112- 62- 0 30-30-0 4 .

112-112-0 60-30-0 5 .

168-112 -0 60-60-0 6 .

168-112-62 60-60-30 6 From: Nisar and Rashid, 2003

Mung Mash Millet Sorghum Fallow(WR) Fallow (WNR) Deep plowing 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

257 mm

2004-05

104 mm

2005-06

393 mm Low yields are due to poor germinatio n & frost damage 158 mm

2006-07 2007-08

255 mm

2008-09

Response of rainfed wheat to nitrogen on soils having different stored moisture (M1, M2, M3) Wheat yield kg/ha 5000 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

0 40 80

Nitrogen applied (kg/ha) M3= 32cm M2= 26cm M1= 19cm

120

Source: Meelu et al., 1976

Effect of moisture conservation practices on wheat yield S. No

1 2

Treatment

Farmers practice Minor leveling & bundling

Moisture level in soil profile (mm/90cm)

147 168

Yield as average of two years (kg/ha)

1500 1780

Source: Fertilizer Use in Dryland Farming, Booklet No. 43, Manures & Fertilizers: MFS - 13

Title: Optimal Fertilizer Requirement of Rainfed sunflower Based on Varying Soil Moisture stress indices on semi-arid Vertisols of india Methodology:

(1999-2004) Dates of Sowing (DOS)

: D1=28 th Standard meteorological week (SMW) (9-15 July) D2= 30 th SMW (23-29 July); D3= 32 nd SMW (6-12 Aug.) D4= 34 th SMW (21-26 Aug.)

Moisture Conservation Methods (MC):

M1= Ridges and furrows M2= Skip row with furrow M3= Flat bed

Levels of N & P Fertilizers:

F1= 40-20; F2= 50-25; F3= 60-30 kg NP/ha

MSI= Crop soil Moisture Stress Index

Based on daily rainfall (RF), daily runoff MSI were measured for each combination of DOS and MC method in each season (ranged 0.15 to 0.75) Source: Maruthi Sankar, G. R. et al.

2008 (Helia: 31: 137-154)

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

0.50

0.55

0.60

0.65

0.70

0.75

MSI M1 53 53 53 53 53 52 52 52 52 52 52 52 51 D1 M2 # # # # # # # # # # # # # M3 200 196 192 189 185 181 177 174 170 166 163 159 155 # # # # # # # M1 # # # D2 M2 66 64 61 59 57 54 52 50 47 45 M3 # # # # # # # # # # M1 158 144 131 117 104 90 77 64 50 37 # # 42 40 # # 23 10 # 38 #

response of nutrient

0 D3 M2 73 71 68 66 63 61 59 56 54 51 49 46 44 M3 # # # # # # # # # # # # # M1 103 98 94 89 84 80 75 70 65 61 56 51 46 D4 M2 74 72 70 67 65 63 61 59 56 54 52 50 47 M3 # # # # # # # # # # # # #

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

0.50

0.55

0.60

0.65

0.70

0.75

MSI M1 27 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 D1 M2 # # # # # # # # # # # # # M3 99 98 96 94 92 90 88 86 85 83 81 79 77 M1 # # # # # # # # # # # # # D2 M2 33 32 31 29 28 27 26 25 24 22 M3 # # # # # # # # # # M1 79 72 65 59 52 45 39 32 25 18 D3 M2 36 35 34 33 32 30 29 28 27 26 M3 # # # # # # # # # # 21 20 # # 12 5 24 23 # # 19 # 0 22 #

diminishing response of nutrient

M1 52 49 47 28 26 23 45 42 40 38 35 33 30 D4 M2 37 36 35 34 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 M3 # # # # # # # # # # # # #

DOS Nutrient N Ridge & furrow FN=53.7-3.08 MSI Skip row with furrow # Flat bed FN=211.0-74.50 MSI D1 D2 P N P N FP=26.8-1.54 MSI # # FN=198.0- 268.90 MSI # FN=73.3-47.47 MSI FP=36.6-23.74 MSI FN = 80.3-48.31 MSI FP=105.0- 37.20 MSI # # # D3 P FP=99.0-134.40 MSI FP=40.1-24.15 MSI # D4 N FN=117.3-94.45 MSI FN = 80.8-44.56 MSI # P FP=58.6- 47.22 MSI

FN= Fertilizer nitrogen FP= Fertilizer phosphorus

FP=40.4-22.28 MSI #

# indicates calibration not possible due to non diminishing response of a nutrient

 Based on multiple regression models, fertilizer adjustment equations of N and P were derived under different models having a +ive linear coefficient, a –ive quadratic coefficient for a fertilizer variable along with a negative interaction coefficient for fertilizer X soil moisture stress index .

 An increasing response at the initial level and diminishing returns at higher levels of fertilizer application was indicated  The negative interaction was predicted for a higher fertilizer dose at low soil moisture stress index better response of the crop.

and vice versa for

Current constraints on yield and on the use of fertilizer

• Availability of soil moisture is an important determinant of fertilizer use in the semi-arid areas • Lack of proper extension in the popularization of fertilizer use and the knowledge of the farmer is a major constraint • Fertilizer price and credit are important institutional factors • Regional and temporal differences in seasonal conditions, occurrence of pests and diseases, availability of fertilizer, market and fertilizer distribution network, etc., are important determinants of differences in fertilizer use • Lack of suitable management practices that make the best use of applied fertilizer

Improvement of Fertilizer Use Efficiency

• • • • • • • • • • The objective behind the use of fertilizer in dryland condition should be to make maximum amount of fertilizer nutrient available to the plant within the existing low levels of soil moisture. Certain points must be kept in mind in order to achieve this objective:

Use of organic matter Placement of fertilizers Spray applications Balanced use of fertilizers Use of P mixed with FYM Use of amendments (like gypsum in alkali soil) Alteration in time of fertilizer application (based on moisture availability) Water conservation practices Other farming practices (e.g. Split N in rainy season; proper crop rotation) Mulching

Suggestions for Improvement in Model

• Commendable job has been done to design a model to predict fertilizer doses for all districts of Punjab with the help of some basic soil fertility status (O.M, available P, • desired yield target) knowledge by scientists of U. A. F The areas where proper irrigation practices are available, the moisture level differences are minimum, the prediction of fertilizer is simple and dependent soil type and availability of different nutrients and organic matter in the soil which helps to estimate nutrient deficiencies to be supplemented by different fertilizers with optimum • dose to achieve desired yield target.

This ideal situation does not exist under rainfed agriculture especially during winter/rabi season as fertilizer efficiency is directly related to moisture availability in • the soil.

It is needed to study the role/effect of soil moisture on fertilizer use efficiency • under different rainfall (low, medium, high) areas to predict fertilizer doses.

Therefore, it is suggested that a collaborative study/Project may be designed between main stakeholders like UAF; Soil Fertility Directorate; SAWCRI, Chakwal; UAAR and BARI, Chakwal etc. to reach at any consolidated conclusions

29