scholarly journals Evaluating the Effects of In-situ Rainwater Harvesting Techniques on Soil Moisture Conservation and Grain Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Fedis District, Eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 1129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amisalu Milkias ◽  
Teshale Tadesse ◽  
Habtamu Zeleke
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Soil Moisture Storage ◽  
Soil Moisture Conservation ◽  
Moisture Storage ◽  
Harvesting Techniques

In the drier farming regions of the world, where crop production is constrained by short growing period, unpredictable and short rainfall with sporadic run-off, in-situ rainwater harvesting is vital for successful crop production. In connection to this, a study was conducted in Fedis district of Oromia region during the main rainy seasons of 2015 and 2016 to evaluate the effects of in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques (Ridge Furrow (RF), Contour Ridge (CR), and Tied Ridge (TR)) on soil moisture conservation and grain yield of maize. A spilt-plot design was used and soil moisture content was measured at three growth stages of the crop to a depth of 60 cm with 20 cm interval. The results showed that water harvesting techniques significantly increased moisture conservation compared to the control, which was flat bed preparation. Averaged over the three stages, the TR, CR and RF treatments increased soil moisture storage by 134.59, 128.57, and 121.87%, respectively, compared to the control. The study also revealed that the in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques, due to the improved soil moisture storage, significantly affected grain yield of the maize. Averaged over the two years, the TR, CR, and FR increased the grain yield 143.14, 131.47 and 121.16%, respectively, over the control treatment. Therefore, in drier environments, such as Fedis, in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques can be recommended for better moisture conservation and subsequent improvement in crop production.

scholarly journals Evaluating the effect of in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques on maize production in moisture stress areas of humbo woreda, wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79
Author(s):  
W Naba ◽  
A Moges ◽  
A Gebremichael
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Growth Stages ◽  
Dry Spell ◽  
Harvesting Techniques

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different in-situ water harvesting structures as soil moisture conservation techniques under maize crop production in Abela Sippa kebele Wolaita zone, Ethiopia where rainfall variation is affecting agriculture with prolonged dry spells during critical crop growth stages. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, with three replications and four treatments. The four treatments used in the study were; Control, Targa, Tie-ridge and Zai pits. Findings from this study revealed that maize grain yield and yield components, such as, grain yield, dry matter biomass, and cob length were highly significant (p<0.05) on Targa. Soil-moisture content over the crop growing season at dry spell periods was significantly higher in Targa and Tie ridges than the control. Maize yield of (7150 kg ha-1), (6190 kg ha-1), (4500 kg ha-1) and (4900 kg ha-1) was obtained from Targa, Tie ridge, Zai pits and Control, respectively. Targa and Tie ridge treatments recorded higher net returns (29712 and 25164 kg ha-1) than Control (20370 kg ha-1) and Zai (14350 kg ha-1) treatments. The results revealed that the in-situ rainwater harvesting techniques could play great role in improving crop yield in dry periods. However, the utilization of the technology is surrounded by various constraints. The major constraints include labour, cost, lack of knowledge and crops planted on bunds. The findings suggest that Targa structure improved water availability during the growing season, thereby protecting crops from dry periods and it needs minimum cost, less labor power ,and easily constructed by local farmers (not require complicated knowledge). Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(1): 71-79, June 2020

INFLUENCE OF SOIL TEXTURE, DEPTH OF SOIL MOISTURE STORAGE, AND RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION ON WHEAT YIELDS IN SOUTHWESTERN SASKATCHEWAN

1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Lehane ◽  
W. J. Staple
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Soil Texture ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Rainfall Distribution ◽  
Soil Moisture Storage ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Dry Seasons ◽  
Moisture Storage

In dry seasons wheat yields were higher on clay than on loam and sandy loam soils for equal amounts of moisture used. In wetter seasons, yields were higher on both clay and loam than on sandy loam.Grain yields were little influenced by the amount of moisture stored in the 0- to 6-in. and 6- to 12-in. layers at seedtime, but they were increased markedly by the moisture stored below the 12-in. depth.Multiple regression equations taking into account rainfall distribution during the season gave better estimates of yield than did equations using total seasonal rainfall only. Rainfall received during June and July and available moisture stored below 12-in. depth were important factors influencing grain yield on all soils.

scholarly journals Assessment of Soil Moisture Storage In Nigeria Using Climatic Water Budgeting Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-202
Author(s):  
Musa Oladejo Kehinde ◽  
Aliyu Tambuwal Umar
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Potential Evapotranspiration ◽  
Monthly Rainfall ◽  
Soil Moisture Storage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Sample Test ◽  
Moisture Storage ◽  
The Mean

The estimation of soil moisture storage is fundamental to crop production, hydrological and biological processes. This study assessed soil moisture storage in Nigeria using the Climatic Water Budgeting Approach. Mean monthly air temperature and monthly rainfall data were collected from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency from 27 weather stations in Nigeria. The data were subjected to Climatic Water Budgeting Approach to compute the monthly soil moisture storage at different locations in Nigeria over two years with contrasting moisture conditions (1983 and 2003). The mean monthly air temperature data were used to estimate the monthly potential evapotranspiration (PE) while the PE in conjunction with the mean monthly rainfall and the soil water holding capacity of 250mm were used to calculate the monthly soil moisture storage. The results showed that most locations north of latitude 9°N recorded low soil moisture storage below 10 mm from April to July especially in 1983. The soil moisture storage was high in all the places in January and February due to low potential evapotranspiration and accumulated potential water loss (APWL). Most Places South of latitude 9°N recorded higher soil moisture storage between 20 mm and 100 mm from January to May compared to their counterparts north of latitude 9°N in both 1983 and 2003. The soil moisture storage attained 250 mm (100%) from July-October across Nigeria. This study concluded that the soil moisture varies spatially and temporally in Nigeria decreasing from South to North. A paired sample test revealed a significant difference between the soil moisture storage of 2003 and 1983 in Nigeria (p=.000).

Dark Island heath (Ninety-mile Plain, South Australia). V. The water relationships in heath vegetation and pastures on the Makin sand

1957 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
RL Specht
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Soil Moisture Storage ◽  
Drought Conditions ◽  
Moisture Storage ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Soil Moisture Status

Heath vegetation shows a major flush of growth during the mediterraneantype summer season, a time when calculations of the soil moisture storage by the techniques of Thornthwaite (1948) or Prescott, Collins, and Shirpurkar (1952) indicate that severe drought conditions should oocur. Monthly observations on the moisture status of the Makin sand under heath vegetation and, for comparison, under various pastures are therefore recorded. The problems of obtaining an accurate water balance-sheet for such a heterogeneous vegetation as the heath are discussed. Difficulties in the use of the various techniques for measuring soil moisture in sand, which has a low pF of 1.85 at field capacity, are enumerated. The following relationships were found between the evapotranspiration index (Itr = Etr / Ew0.75) and the available water (W). These data were calculated for 6 ft of sand. (i) Heath vegetation (10–14 years old) log (2.4–Itr) = 0.420–0.0383 W (ii) Heath vegetation (burnt) log (2.4–Itr) = 0.461–0.0380 W (iii) Oenothera odorata Jacq. pasture log (2.4–Itr) = 0.395–0.0269 W (iv) Medicago sativa L. pasture log (2.4–Itr) = 0.390–0.0270 W (v) Ehrharta calycina Sm. pasture log (2.4–Itr) = 0.400–0.0339 W From these equations the mean monthly quantities of rainfall which may be stored in 6 ft of sand under the various treatments described were calculated. Drought conditions are shown to occur in December and January, but are relieved in the later months of summer. Even if the stored moisture below 8 ft is considered, the soil moisture status would be expected to be just sufficient to maintain the vegetation in a "dormant" state, and yet the major growth of the heath vegetation occurs at this time. The calculated mean annual values of Itr range from 0.53 to 0.60 for these perennial communities. Close approximations to the actual soil moisture status can be obtained by substituting these values for K in Prescott's formula for potential evaporation, i.e. Etr = K x Ew0.75. Supplementary data on transpiration, growth, and the root systems of the pastures are also included.

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