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Hydrological behavior of Alfisols and Vertisols in the semi-arid zone: Implications for soil and water management

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  • Pathak, P.
  • Sudi, R.
  • Wani, S.P.
  • Sahrawat, K.L.

Abstract

Understanding of the hydrological behavior of soils is a prerequisite for developing appropriate soil and water management practices. Such information for Alfisols and Vertisols, the two major soils in the semi-arid tropics (SATs), is scanty especially from a long-term perspective. In this paper, we describe and discuss results from long-term (from 1976 to 2010) hydrological studies conducted on small agricultural watersheds on Vertisols and Alfisols at the ICRISAT Center, Patancheru, India. The hydrological behavior of soils are characterized in terms of runoff volume, peak runoff rate, number of runoff events, soil loss, sediment concentration and deep drainage loss under different rainfall, crop cover and soil moisture conditions to aid in developing effective soil and water management practices. We also provide details on the effects of annual and monthly rainfall on the hydrological behavior of these soils in different rainfall regions. The results show that Alfisols and Vertisols in the SATs have very contrasting hydrological behavior. Several findings emerging from our studies, are rather unexpected. For example, the sandy Alfisols with higher saturated hydrological conductivity generated higher runoff compared to the clayey Vertisols with extremely low saturated hydraulic conductivity. The undesirable early season runoff from Alfisols is higher than from Vertisols. The contribution of 1–2 big storms to annual runoff and soil loss was high on both soils. The contrasting hydrological behavior of these two soils is due to differences in soil characteristics such as crusting, sealing and low structural stability in Alfisols; and the presence of cracks during the early season and formation of micro-cracks during rainless periods in Vertisols. The results suggest that the information from the long-term hydrological studies is useful for determining appropriate soil and water management practices and strategies in different rainfall regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Pathak, P. & Sudi, R. & Wani, S.P. & Sahrawat, K.L., 2013. "Hydrological behavior of Alfisols and Vertisols in the semi-arid zone: Implications for soil and water management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 12-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:118:y:2013:i:c:p:12-21
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2012.11.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pathak, P., 1991. "Runoff sampler for small agricultural watersheds," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 105-115, March.
    2. Pathak, P. & Sahrawat, K. L. & Wani, S. P. & Sachan, R. C. & Sudi, R., 2009. "Opportunities for water harvesting and supplemental irrigation for improving rainfed agriculture in semi-arid areas," IWMI Books, Reports H042000, International Water Management Institute.
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    4. Molden, David, 2007. "Water for food, water for life: a comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture," IWMI Books, Reports H040193, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Wani, S. P. & Rockstrom, J. & Oweis, T., 2009. "Rainfed agriculture: unlocking the potential," IWMI Books, Reports H042126, International Water Management Institute.
    6. Wani, S. P. & Rockstrom, J. & Oweis, T., 2009. "Rainfed agriculture: unlocking the potential," IWMI Books, Reports H041989, International Water Management Institute.
    7. Molden, David, 2007. "Water for food, water for life: a comprehensive assessment of water management in agriculture: summary," IWMI Books, Reports H039769, International Water Management Institute.
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    3. López-Vicente, M. & Quijano, L. & Navas, A., 2015. "Spatial patterns and stability of topsoil water content in a rainfed fallow cereal field and Calcisol-type soil," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 41-52.
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    5. Kamdi, Prasad Jairam & Swain, Dillip Kumar & Wani, Suhas P., 2023. "Developing climate change agro-adaptation strategies through field experiments and simulation analyses for sustainable sorghum production in semi-arid tropics of India," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).

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