CATCHMENT AREA- POND SIZE RELATIONSHIP FOR WATER HARVESTING AND REUSE OF RUNOFF WATER AND ITS JUDICIOUS UTILIZATION FOR THE SUCCESS OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE

Abstract

THE PAPER DEALS WITH WATER HARVESTING , STORAGE AND RECYCLING UNDER DOON VALLEY CONDITIONS. IT IS INDICATED THAT OF THE TOTAL MONSOON RAINFALL, 16.9% CAN BE HARVESTED FROM TREATED AGRICULTURAL WATERSHED INTO FARM POND. MAJOR SOURCES OF WATER LOSS COMPRISE STORAGE AND OVERFLOW FROM POND WHICH ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 118 TO 40 MM RESPECTIVELY. PROPERLY DESIGNED RESERVOIR CAPACITY AND SUITABLE LINING WOULD MINIMIZE THE LOSSES. THE CATCHMENT AREA- POND SIZE RELATIONSHIP WORKS OUT TO 1.0 HA M CAPACITY FOR EVERY 6 AND 9 HA OF CATCHMENT AREA FOR LINED AND UNLINED FARM PONDS, RESPECTIVELY. SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION OF 5 CM AT PRES SOWING AND CRI STAGE AND 5 CM EACH ( TOTAL 10CM) AT PRE SOWING AND CRI STAGE TO WHEAT COULD BE AFFECTED TO 80, 50 AND 25% OF CATCHMENT AREA RESULTING IN GRAIN YIELD OF 3.14, 2.61 AND 2.45 T/HA , RESPECTIVELY COMPARABLE TO CONTROL YIELD OF 1.9 T/HA . PRE SOWING STAGE IS FOUND TO BE THE MOST FAVOURABLE STAGE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL IRRIGATION FOR WHEAT CROP.