Assessment of Changes in Soil Infiltration, Water-Holding Capacity, Bulk Density and Fertility Parameters under Different Tree- and Crop-Based Systems in Semiarid Alfisols

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were conducted to assess changes in soil infiltration, water-holding capacity (WHC), bulk density and soil fertility with 15 custard apple (CA)-based systems of T1:CA+Fingermillet; T2:CA+Fodder Maize; T3:CA+Fieldbean; T4:CA+Niger; T5:CA+Chilli; T6:CA+Cowpea; T7:CA+Foxtailmillet; T8:Fingermillet; T9:Fodder Maize; T10:Fieldbean; T11:Niger; T12:Chilli; T13:Cowpea; T14:Foxtailmillet and T15:CA in 2012 and 2013 under semiarid Alfisols at Bangalore. T2 gave the maximum CA equivalent yield (1333 kgha⁻¹), rainwater-use efficiency (4.90 kgha⁻¹mm⁻¹), net returns of Rs. 52690 ha⁻¹ and a benefit-cost ratio of 2.92. T6 gave the maximum WHC of 41.0%; an infiltration rate of 33.1 cmhr⁻¹; a cumulative infiltration of 66.2 cm; and a minimum bulk density of 1.40 gcc⁻¹. T6 maintained maximum soil nitrogen (N) of 259 kgha⁻¹; phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) of 67.9 kgha⁻¹; and potassium oxide (K₂O) of 141.5 kgha ⁻¹; while T9 gave uptake N of 102.7 kgha⁻¹; P₂O₅ of 24.6 kgha⁻¹; and K₂O of 103.7 kgha⁻¹. T6 was efficient for improving the soil physical, chemical, and biological parameters based on the study.

KEYWORDS:

• Bulk density
• custard apple
• infiltration
• intercrops
• rank sum
• sustainability yield index
• water-holding capacity

Funding

The authors are grateful to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka; and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, for providing funding and all the necessary facilities to carry out the study.