STANDARDIZATION OF IN-SITU MOISTURE CONSERVATION METHOD FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF AONLA ORCHARDS ON SLOPPY DEGRADED WASTE LANDS

A study was carried out in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Deendayal Research Institute, Satna for two consecutive years to evaluate the effect of various in-situ moisture conservation measures on establishment and growth of aonla (Emblica officinalis) in sloppy degraded lands. In-situ moisture conservation measures included for the study were preparation of circular ring basin+mulching the basin with black polythene, staggered contour trenching (45 cm width and 3 m length) on upper side of the plant basin, placement of one submerged pitcher in one side of the plant for rainwater harvesting, setting the seedling in a depression of 1 m width and 15 cm deep, surrounded by a ring-shaped ridge with 25 cm width and, 15 cm height and a 30 cm opening on the higher side to harvest rain water+filling the depression with straw+mulching with black polythene and control (no micro-catchment or mulch). The results revealed that all the in-situ moisture conservation methods showed improvements in survival, establishment and growth of aonla plants. However, preparation of micro catchment area of one meter width surrounded by ring shaped ridge of 25 cm width and 15 cm height and having a 30 cm opening at the higher side and mulching in depressed area with straw and cover with black polythene was found to be the most effective moisture conservation method in increasing the survival and growth of aonla seedlings/budlings among all the conservation treatments.