Effect of Tillage Management and Soil Slope on Annual Soil Loss under Cereal Crops in Central India

Abstract

The negative impacts of soil erosion on productivity are mainly attributed to the decline in soil fertility and water availability. Continuous tillage practices combined with removal of crop residue from the soil surface greatly increase the risk of soil erosion and nutrient depletion. Soil erosion creates many adverse impacts on the environment and soil health which influence the food security and the quality of life. In present study the effect of three tillage management (conventional tillage, ridge and furrow system and no tillage system) and soil slopes (1%, >1% to < 3%, >3 to <5% and >5%) on soil loss in twelve different soil series under cereal cropping in central India has been studied. The results of the study indicated that the tillage management plays an important role to reduce soil loss. No tillage system found showed minimum annual soil loss whereas the conventional tillage practice recorded the most. The soil loss found decreased with decrease in slope and vice-versa. The Bararia soil series found most vulnerable to the soil loss whereas the Dhodar soil series found resistant to soil loss across the slopes and tillage management practices studied under cereal cropping in central India.