Rainfed Agriculture
and watershed management
Meaning of Dry land Agriculture:
• Dry land farming is cultivation of crops in regions with annual rainfall
more than 750 mm.
• “Dry land Agriculture refers to growing of crops entirely under
rainfed conditions”.
Categories of Dry land farming
• Based on the amount of rainfall received, dry land
agriculture can be grouped into three categories:
• (i) Dry Farming:
• Cultivation of crops in areas where average annual
rainfall is less than 750 mm per.
• (ii) Dry land Farming:
• Cultivation of crops in areas receiving rainfall from 750
to 1150 mm per annum.
• (iii) Rainfed Farming:
• Cultivation of crops in regions receiving more than 1,150
mm per annum
Aberrant Weather Conditions in Dry land Areas
• (i) Inadequate and uneven distribution of rainfall
• (ii) Long gap in rainfall
• (iii) Early onset of monsoon
• (iv) Late onset of monsoon
• (v) Early cessation of rains
• (vi) Prolonged Dry spells/midterm correction during the crop period
Length of Growing Period
• Length of growing period is defined as “a period in
which the available soil moisture is enough to meet
the evapotranspiration requirement of dry land
crops and hence the dry land productivity is
assured”. The length of growing period is given as ‘G’
with starting and ending of length of growing period
in terms of Meteorological standard weeks.
Problems of Rainfed agriculture
• Rainfed agriculture in India faces several challenges
• due to its heavy dependence on rainfall
• as rainfall is primary source of water.
• Problems of Rainfed Agriculture in India:
1.Erratic Rainfall Patterns:
• Rainfall in India is highly variable, leading to uncertainties in
the timing, amount, and distribution of rainfall.
• Inadequate or uneven rainfall can result in water stress
and negatively impact crop growth, leading to yield losses.
2. Water Scarcity and Droughts:
1. Water scarcity is a significant challenge in rainfed regions, especially
during dry spells and drought periods.
2. Limited access to water for irrigation affects crop productivity
and reduces farmers' ability to mitigate the effects of rainfall
variability.
3. Soil Erosion and Degradation:
3. Rainfed areas are prone to soil erosion, particularly on sloping
lands, due to heavy rainfall events.
4. Soil erosion leads to decreased soil fertility, loss of topsoil, and
reduced water-holding capacity, affecting crop productivity.
4. Low Nutrient Availability:
5. Rainfed regions often have poor soil fertility, with low nutrient
availability.
6. Limited access to fertilizers and organic inputs further
exacerbates nutrient deficiencies, affecting crop yields.
5. Lack of Irrigation Facilities:
1. Rainfed agriculture relies solely on rainfall, without supplemental
irrigation facilities.
2. The absence of irrigation infrastructure limits farmers' ability
to control water availability and adapt to rainfall fluctuations.
6. Limited Access to Credit and Technology:
3. Small-scale rainfed farmers often face challenges in accessing
credit and modern agricultural technologies.
4. Insufficient financial resources and outdated farming
practices hinder their ability to adopt improved techniques and
technologies.
A/c to Dorigation comission of India "Drought is a
situation occving in an area where the annual
rainfall is less than 75% of normal rainfall.
• Draught area - Region which experienced
draught in more than 40% of the years.
Types of Droughts
1.Meteorological Drought:
1. Meteorological drought occurs when there is a prolonged period of below-
average precipitation in a region.
2. It is characterized by a deficit in rainfall, snowfall, or other forms of
precipitation compared to the long-term average for that area.
3. Meteorological drought can be caused by factors such as changes in weather
patterns, atmospheric conditions, or climate variability.
2.Agricultural Drought:
1. Agricultural drought is related to the availability of soil moisture and its impact on
crop growth and yield.
2. It occurs when soil moisture is insufficient to support normal plant development
and agricultural activities.
3. Agricultural drought can occur even if there is no significant deficit in
precipitation, as factors like evapotranspiration and soil moisture deficits play a
crucial role.
3. Hydrological Drought:
1. Hydrological drought refers to a deficiency in water supply in streams,
rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources.
2. It occurs when there is a prolonged period of reduced water
availability, leading to decreased streamflow, lowered water levels in
lakes and reservoirs, and depleted groundwater reserves.
3. Hydrological drought is influenced by factors such as decreased
precipitation, increased evaporation, and changes in land use and
water management practices.
4. Socioeconomic Drought:
4. Socioeconomic drought is associated with the impacts of water
scarcity on human activities, industries, and livelihoods.
5. It occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available supply,
affecting various sectors like agriculture, industry, domestic water use,
and ecosystems.
6. Socioeconomic drought can lead to economic losses, water rationing,
conflicts over water resources, and social disruption.
The effect of water deficit on the physio-
morphological characteristics of the plants
• Here are the key impacts of water deficit on plant physiology and
morphology:
1.Stomatal Closure:
1. Water deficit triggers stomatal closure to reduce water loss through
transpiration.
2. Stomata are small openings on the leaf surface that regulate gas exchange and
water vapour loss.
3. Closure of stomata limits the entry of carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis,
reducing plant growth and productivity.
2.Reduced Photosynthesis:
1. Water deficit impairs photosynthetic activity, as it restricts the availability of CO2
and affects the functioning of chloroplasts.
2. Reduced photosynthesis leads to decreased production of carbohydrates, which
are vital for plant growth and development.
3.Decreased Leaf Expansion:
1. Water-deficient conditions often result in reduced cell expansion and leaf growth.
2. Leaves may become smaller, thicker, or exhibit curled or wilted morphology to
minimize water loss through a smaller surface area.
4. Chlorophyll Degradation:
1. Water stress can accelerate chlorophyll degradation, leading to the yellowing
or browning of leaves.
2. Chlorophyll degradation affects the plant's ability to capture sunlight for
photosynthesis, further reducing its energy production.
5. Changes in Leaf Anatomy:
3. Water deficit can induce structural changes in leaf anatomy to enhance water
retention.
4. Examples include thicker cuticles, increased epidermal hair density, and
altered stomatal distribution to reduce water loss through transpiration.
6. Altered Root Morphology:
5. Water deficit promotes changes in root morphology to enhance water uptake.
6. Roots may elongate deeper into the soil in search of water, exhibit increased
branching, or develop root hairs to maximize water absorption.
7. Reduced Growth and Biomass:
1. Water deficit significantly affects plant growth, leading to reduced shoot and root
growth.
2. Decreased growth rates result in smaller plant size, lower biomass accumulation,
and compromised overall productivity.
8. Early Flowering and Senescence:
3. Water stress can induce early flowering and senescence (premature ageing) in
plants as adaptive strategies.
4. Early flowering ensures reproductive success before further water limitations, while
senescence reallocates resources from non-essential tissues to support essential
functions.
9. Accumulation of Osmoprotectants:
5. Plants under water deficit conditions produce osmoprotectants such as proline,
sugars, and organic acids.
6. Osmoprotectants help maintain cellular osmotic balance, stabilize proteins, and
protect cell membranes from damage caused by water deficit.
10. Activation of Stress Response Pathways:
7. Water deficit triggers the activation of various stress response pathways in plants.
8. This includes the synthesis of stress-related proteins, antioxidants, and stress
signaling molecules that help protect cells from oxidative damage and maintain
cellular homeostasis.
