vijay kakade

and 9 more

Ravines represent an extreme form of land degradation. Soil and moisture saving techniques (SMSTs) have been identified as effective strategies for improving the fertility of degraded lands. Three SMSTs viz., intercrop of cow pea and castor on bench terrace (SCCBT) ii) bench terrace (SBT) iii) staggered trenches on natural slope (SSTS) and iv) sapota on natural slope (Control) were imposed to observe their impact on Sapota yield and quality, runoff, soil loss, and soil properties under rain-fed conditions during 2018-20. SMSTs have significantly affected plant growth, yield and quality and soil loss-runoff in degraded ravines. The highest tree height was observed in SBT on par with SCCBT and SSTS, and lowest in SS. Similar trend was observed in case canopy spread, canopy volume and collar diameter. Among the treatments, SCCBT recorded highest yield (38.3 kg tree -1) followed by SBT, SST and lowest in SS (16.8 kg tree -1). Pulp weight (55.55 g) and vitamin C (14.69 mg) was recorded higher in SCCBT and lowest in SS. SCCBT treatment reduced runoff by 44% and it was highest in SS. Despite this SCCBT exhibited significant higher soil loss. Terracing and trenches exhibited remarkable effect on EC, SOC, available major nutrients (NPK) compared to control. SCCBT and SBT treatments significantly had higher soil moisture (%) compare to control. Hence, the cultivation of sapota after implementing terracing and staggered trenches on natural slopes proves to be a viable approach for effectively utilizing degraded ravines while promoting productivity.