Effect of Zai Pit Technology on the Infiltration Capacity of the Soil

Abstract

Increase in population and depletion of ground water resources are the major problems for food security and stability. Irrigated lands now produce only 4% of the food supply which doesn’t meet the required demand. Zai pit technology provides a window of opportunity for farmers to improve crop performance in harsh & changing climate by trapping rain water and retains moisture by allowing water long enough to infiltrate. The present study was carried out at the College of Agricultural Engineering, Madakasira, which was located in Anantapuram district, Andhra Pradesh. The methodology follows estimation of infiltration rate for both Zai pit technology and furrow irrigation method. The Zai pit consists of dug holes excavated in grids, with a diameter of 15-20 cm,70 to 80 cm spacing, and a depth of 10-15 cm or more, filled with manure. The spacing of pits within a row, as well as the space between rows of pits, varies between 60 and 100 cm. Pits were prepared and organic manure was placed at the beginning of rainy season. In Zai pit technology, infiltration rate of the soil increased from 1.45 to 2.25 cm/hr whereas in furrow irrigation, it was decreased from2.24 to 1.1 cm/hr. In Zai pit technology, the organic manure was decomposed properly and the micro-organisms present in the soil make way to reach the organic manure and thus the micro pores in the soil increased whereas in furrow irrigation the soil was compacted which decreases the infiltration rate. This may be the reason behind the increasing of infiltration in the Zai pit technology. Thus, Zai pit technology reactivates biological activities in the soil and eventually leads to an improvement in soil structure and converts barren lands to cultivated lands.