Question

Mention some of the traditional soil conservation measures still practised by farmers in different parts of the world.

Answer 1

1. Crop rotation: Crop rotation is a planned sequence of cropping. Rotation of crops is an important method for checking erosion and maintaining the productivity of soil. A good rotation should include densely planted small grain crops, spreading legume crops, etc., which may check soil erosion. Leguminous plants play a very active part in increasing the nitrogenous content of the soil. In Maharashtra, the rotation of cotton, jowar, and groundnut has been proved successful.
2. Mulching: Mulches of different kinds, such as leaves, straws, paper, stubbles, etc., minimize evaporation, increase the absorption of moisture, and protect the surface of the land against the beating action of raindrops. Later on, they decay to form humus, which improves the physical condition of the soil. Natural mulching also helps in the infiltration of water and the reduction of evaporation.
3. Control of grazing: Grazing increases soil erosion. But the grazing cannot be completely stopped in all areas. So restricted and rotational grazing may be helpful in checking soil erosion to some extent. The area open to grazing for some should be closed for the following year to facilitate regeneration and maintain thick ground vegetation.
4. Terrace outlets: In order to reduce soil erosion and to safely remove excess rainwater from the contour terraces, pipe outlets are used or channels are made which are thickly covered by grasses.
5. Digging of ponds and reservoirs: Construction of small ponds and water reservoirs at suitable places to store water is a good practice.
6. Contour terracing: Along the contour, a series of ridges or bunds of mud are formed to retain water in the soil and check soil erosion. These are called terraces. Terraces are levelled areas constructed at right angles to the slope to reduce soil erosion.