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Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Effect of in-situ water harvesting techniques and slope gradient on soil moisture and millet yield in North Gedarif area

Elamin, E.M.

Abstract

The experiment was carried out at the Demonstration farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Gedarif University, in the Northern region of the Gedarif city for three seasons (2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05). It was laid out in split plot design with three replications; main plots assigned to two slope gradients of 0.6-0.7 %, and 0.9-1.0 %, while sub plots to four water harvesting techniques of L-shaped earth bund, semicircular earth bund, terrace and no technique as a control. The millet variety Sudan1 was used in the study and was sown in plots of 4 m x 30 m by seeding three grains per hole in rows of 60 cm apart and an intra - row spacing of 30 cm and finally thinned to 1 or 2 plants per hole. Soil samples were taken using an auger at an increment depth of 15 cm from the surface up to 45 cm soil depth. Moreover, three samples were also taken at 5 m above the earth bund and soil moisture content was determined using the gravimetric method. The study found no influence of slope on soil moisture or plant growth performance. On the other hand, the water harvesting techniques significantly increased the storage capacity of the soil for water which significantly increased the grain yield by 43%, 33% and 32% for semicircular, terrace and L-shaped techniques, respectively compared to the flat (control). The study concluded that these techniques could be used successfully for in-situ water harvesting to small farmers in North Gedarif area to increase their productivity.

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 15(2010) PP. 37-48