Management of stressed soils of dryland agriculture in semi-arid tropics -A review

Abstract

United Nations has brought the global attention by commemorating the InternationalYear of Deserts and Desertification (IYDD) during 2006 with catchy slogan “Don't Desert Drylands”. In India, 'dryland' feeds nearly half of country's population and contributes more than 40% of total food grain production. This region generally experiences low and uncertain returns, land degradation, frequent mid-season dry spells and water scarcity. Rainfed areas (90 m ha) are characterized by hotspots of poverty, malnutrition and child mortality. Soils of these regions are thirsty and hungry, especially in secondary and macronutrients (NPK). Studies in these areas reveal that except manganese (Mn), availability of other micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Cu) is quite low in agricultural fields (marginal land) and Gullied (ravine) land. Appropriate land management practices that conserve soil and water coupled with integrated nutrient management and legumes in crop rotations would restore these stressed dryland soils. This paper lucidly revolves around the soils of drylands and their management in semi-arid tropics of India.