Agroecology and Regenerative Agriculture by Shiva Vandana;

Author:Shiva, Vandana;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Synergetic Press

Water Management Techniques to Reduce Water Consumption

Mulching—the application of organic or inorganic material such as plant debris, compost, etc.—in agricultural fields slows down surface runoff, improves soil moisture, reduces evaporation losses, and improves soil fertility. Crop residues are vital to the conservation of soil and water. Keeping a protective cover of vegetative residues on the soil surface is the simplest and surest way to conserve soil moisture. Vegetative residues on the soil surface improve water infiltration into the soil, reduce evaporation, and aid in maintaining organic matter. Natural mulch consists of dead leaves, twigs, fallen branches, and other plant debris accumulated on the earth’s surface. Organic mulches conserve moisture and feed plants, earthworms, microbes, and other beneficial soil life. More species and tonnage of life occur below them than above the soil surface. All soil biota needs energy. They cannot collect energy directly as green plants do, but they feed on the energy released from decaying mulch, which is their preferred food source.

The experiment carried out at Navdanya Farm showed that maximum soil moisture content was recorded in the rice straw mulch field (16%) as compared to non-mulched fields (9.5%).

Mulch insulates and protects soil from drying and hard baking, caused by rapid evaporation of water from soil exposed to hot sun and winds. Mulched soils are cooler than non-mulched soils and have less fluctuation in soil temperature. Optimum soil temperatures and less moisture evaporation from the soil surface enable plants to grow evenly. Plant roots find a more favorable environment near the soil surface where air content and nutrient levels are conducive to good plant growth.

Mulches also absorb the impact of rain and irrigation water, thereby preventing erosion, soil compaction, and crusting. Mulched soils absorb water faster. Mulches prevent the splashing of mud and certain plant disease organisms onto plants and flowers during rain or overhead irrigation and help in the conservation of soil. Mulch also helps conserve moisture as it reduces 10 to 25% soil moisture loss from evaporation. Mulches help keep the soil well aerated by reducing soil compaction when raindrops hit the soil. They also reduce water runoff and soil erosion. Studies have shown that mulch also enhances the burrowing activity of some species of earthworms (e.g., Hyperiodrillus spp. and Eudrilus spp. (Lal 1976), which improves water transmission through the soil profile (Aina 1984), reduces surface crusting and runoff, and improves soil moisture storage in the root zone. Lal (1976) reports an annual saving of 3% of rainfall in water runoff from mulching in humid Western Nigeria. Roose, 1988, reports drastic reductions in runoff and erosion from a mulched pineapple field.

Improvements in soil conditions and soil water regimes to optimize run-off management techniques can support crop production. There are three main components for securing the length of the growing season to meet crop water needs:

Conserving water in the soil profile by allowing adequate opportunity time for rainwater to infiltrate into the soil, this is also called as in situ conservation of water.

Shaping the land surface and grading

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