Crop production for dryland crops and their suitability .pptx

crop features suited for dryland areas.

1. UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES, RAICHUR COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, RAICHUR DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY CROP FEATURES SUITED FOR DRYLAND AREAS Shivprasad R Nippani PG23AGR15031 Modern concepts in Crop production AGRON-501

2. Rapid germination and early establishment for deep roots. Efficient root systems. High rate of photosynthesis with thick, upright leaf system. Ability to adjust osmotically. Development of plasticity -Thick small leaves. Crop features / Plant ideotypes / plant models for drought tolerance

3. Here are crop features that are well-suited for dryland agriculture: 1. Drought tolerance : Plants that can withstand prolonged periods of drought are essential for dryland agriculture. Look for crops with deep root systems that can access water stored deep in the soil, or those with mechanisms to conserve water, such as succulence or waxy coatings on leaves. 2. Heat tolerance : Dryland areas often experience high temperatures, so crops that can thrive in hot conditions are beneficial. Heat-tolerant varieties of crops like maize, sorghum, millet, and certain varieties of legumes can be suitable. 3. Low water requirements : Opt for crops that have low water requirements, minimizing the need for irrigation. Examples include drought-resistant varieties of wheat, barley, and certain types of pulses like chickpeas and lentils. 4. Short growth cycle : Crops with shorter growth cycles can mature before the onset of prolonged dry spells or extreme temperatures. This allows them to utilize available moisture more efficiently. For example, short-duration varieties of maize, soybeans, and cowpeas can be suitable for dryland agriculture. 5. Deep root systems : Plants with deep root systems can access moisture stored in deeper soil layers, making them more resilient to drought. Deep-rooted crops include certain types of grasses, legumes like alfalfa, and some tree crops such as acacia and mesquite. .

4. 6. Soil conservation : Crops that help in soil conservation by preventing erosion and improving soil structure are valuable in dryland agriculture. Agroforestry practices that incorporate trees and shrubs can help stabilize soils and improve water retention. 7. Salinity tolerance : In areas where soil salinity is an issue, crops that can tolerate high salt levels in the soil are essential. Halophytes like saltbush and certain varieties of barley and quinoa are examples of crops that can thrive in saline conditions. 8. Pest and disease resistance : Resistant varieties of crops are crucial for reducing the impact of pests and diseases, especially in environments where stressors like drought can weaken plants' natural defenses. Breeding or selecting crops for resistance to common pests and diseases in dryland areas is important. 9. Nutritional value : Choose crops that provide essential nutrients and can contribute to food security and livelihoods in dryland regions. This could include grains, legumes, and oilseeds that are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. 10. Adaptability : Lastly, crops that are adaptable to variable growing conditions are advantageous in dryland agriculture. Varieties that can adjust to fluctuations in temperature, precipitation, and soil conditions are more likely to thrive in unpredictable environments.

5. Rapid germination and early establishment for deep roots Germination is determined by seed quality, pre treatment and germination conditions such as water, temperature, substrate, light, and freedom from pathogens. Crops Chemical and concentration Pearl millet, Sorghum, Cotton 2 % Potassium chloride Black gram & Green gram 100 ppm Zinc sulphate 100 ppm Manganese sulphate Ragi 0.2% Sodium chloride Groundnut 0.5% Calcium chloride Redgram 2 % Calcium chloride Bengal gram 1% Potassium dihydrogen phosphate

6. Optimum plant population This ensures healthier and vigorous plants tands . Early vigour is particularly important to withstand the problem of intermittent moisture stress, weeds and even to some extent pests. Crop Optimum population(no.ha-1) Pearl millet 1,00,000 –1,41,000 Maize 45,000 –75,000 Fingermillet 4,00,000 –6,00,000 Pigeonpea 50,000 –75,000 Sunflower 50,000 –75,000 Sorghum 1,80,000 (Kharif) 1,50,000 (Rabi)

7. Efficient root systems The plant root system constitutes the major part of the plant body, both in terms of function and bulk. Root characteristics such as thickness, depth of rooting root length and density have been associated with drought avoidance. Efficient root system Extensive root system Deeper root system Higher secondary root density Ability of roots to go towards available water Ability of roots to penetrate in soil

8. High rate of photosynthesis with thick, upright leaf system Opening of stomata for short time in early morning & remained closed during rest of day e.g. varieties of wheat ,oats. Location of stomata in cavity or in depressions of leaves reduces the direct contact of stomata with wind currents & reduces the transpiration losses. In drought resistant plants, the number of stomata found more a lower leaf surface.

9. Ability to adjust osmotically High osmotic pressure: Under stress conditions the osmotic (Low osmotic potential) potential in roots and above ground plant parts reduced resulting increased water movement through soil and plant. Rolling or curling of the leaves reduces the leaf surface exposed to sunlight thus helps in reducing the transpiration loss under stress conditions. E.g. Maize, Sorghum ,grasses etc. Synthesis of proline helps in drought tolerance mechanism.

10. Development of plasticity Thick cuticle results in low rate of transpiration e.g. Safflower ,cactus. On exposure to moderate drought conditions the lipids are deposited on leaf surface which in reduction transpiration losses e.g. soybean The awned varieties of wheat barley etc. can thrive well under stress conditions as the awns contain chloroplasts & stomata & can continue photosynthetic activities even when the stomata on leaves get closed during day time.

11. Thank you