Dry Land Agriculture

Dry land agriculture:

Means cultivation of crops entirely under Rainfed condition

a) Dry farming

Cultivation of crops in areas where annual rainfall is less than 750 mm.

Crop failure due to prolonged dry spells during crop period is most common.

Dry farming is practiced in arid regions with the help of moisture conservation practices. 

Alternate land use system is suggested in this region.

#DRY_FARMING # imp point

✅The practice of crop production entirely with rainwater received during the crop season in low rainfall (<800mm) areas

✅Extremely dry climate with an annual average precipitation usually less than 250 mm is called - Arid climate 

✅Process of subjecting seeds before sowing to alternate cycle of wetting and drying to induce tolerance to drought is called - Seed hardening.

✅Chemicals which is increased in plants during drought - Proline 

✅Collecting and storage of water on the surface of soil for subsequent use - Water harvesting.

✅ Any material applied to transpiring plant surfaces for reducing water loss 

- Anti-transparent 

✅ Example of Stomatal closing type Anti-transparent - Phenyl Mercuric Acetate 

✅Example of Film forming type Anti-transparent – Mobileaf 

✅Example of Reflectant type Anti-transparent - Kaoline spray 

✅ Example of Growth retardant – Cycocel (CCC) 

b) Dry land farming

Cultivation crops in areas where annual rainfall is more than 750 mm but less than 1150 mm is called dry land farming.

The soil moisture conservation measure is the key for dry land farming practice in semi-arid regions.

Drainage facility may be required especially in black soils.

c) Rainfed farming 

Means cultivation of crops in regions where annual rainfall is more than 1150 mm is called as rain fed farming.

This farming is practiced in humid regions.

Difference between Dryland framing and Rainfed farming

Soil moisture dynamics in Dryland

During rainy period, a portion of the rain received goes as runoff and remaining part enters the soil.

 It generally percolates to the lower layers and sometimes, goes beyond the root zone of crops. 

After the rain, the surface soil gradually dries out either due to evaporation or transpiration or due to both.