In-situ rainwater conservation practices on productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in the rainfed conditions of arid Rajasthan, India

A field experiment was conducted at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Regional Research Station, Pali-Marwar during winter seasons (rabi) of 1997–98 to 2001–02 to study the effect of bunding, tillage and straw mulch on chickpea yield and water productivity. Field bunding significantly increased mean chickpea grain yield by 18% and biological yield by 14% over no bunding and has attributed to increased availability of soil water in the profile. Water use efficiency increased to 9.1 kg ha−1mm−1 from 8.5 kg ha−1mm−1 over in no bunding. The effect of deep tillage on crop growth and yield varied with total rainfall and its distribution. Deep tillage during intermittent drought period effectively conserved the rainwater and increased the grain yield of chickpea. Straw mulching @ 5 t ha−1 significantly increased mean grain yield of chickpea by 18% over no mulch with increased water use efficiency by 1.4 kg ha−1mm−1. Field bunding, deep ploughing during monsoon and straw mulching @ 5 t ha−1 after germination during winter is recommended for increased chickpea grain yield and water productivity through in-situ rainwater conservation practices in arid fringes where kharif crop fails.