Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Polypots torn off the seedlings during the planting operation should be carefully
collected and removed from the site. These are often nondegradable and hence a long-
term pollutant. The polypots should be recycled in factories where new polypots for
use in nursery or for other use can be processed.
6.4
Making of Pit-Saucers
Water harvesting at every step is the key to success in arid-zone afforestation. Pit-
saucers are crescent-shaped ridges made of soil, around the pits and facing the ground
slope. Collection of rainwater will be possible only if the orientation is correct.
Saucers with incorrect orientation are a waste of effort and money, and may in fact
deprive the plant of the water that it otherwise would get.
The size of saucers will determine the amount of rain water harvested. Size in-
cludes the size of the ridge and the diameter of the arc. These parameters should be
kept standard and the standard should be decided in view of the runoff, slope, and
soil permeability. In heavier soils it will be easier to keep saucers stable and firm,
whereas in light soils the saucers must be remade every time these are washed away
or otherwise damaged.
Orientation of the openings in saucers should be carefully decided in areas with
multiple slopes. The resultant slope will be evident if proper contour lines have been
marked. The extent of opening will be determined from the steepness of the slope.
Saucers in steeper slopes should have closer openings, and those in gentler slopes
should have wider openings for effective collection of runoff.
The soil excavated in pit digging and left over after refilling (during the planting
operation) should be used in construction of saucers, and if this is inadequate, soil
can be gathered from the ground nearby. However, in no case should the excavated
soil be left unutilised or unformed as this will lead to soil erosion by flowing water.
Constant observation of effectiveness of saucers should be made, and these should
be reoriented, remade, and repaired, as and when needed. Repair of saucers is often
carried out at the time of weeding and hoeing.
6.5
Beating up Casualties
Many plants will die during or soon after the first planting operation because of shock,
root disturbance, dry weather, root coiling, damage by pests, or some other reason.
A careful inspection of plantation about a couple of weeks later will reveal which
plants have established and which have failed. It is proper to replace all the plants
that have died at this stage. Plants should be replaced all at once, as the number of
such plants is not likely to be very high, if the foregoing precautions and techniques
have been followed during planting.
Beating-up of casualties should be followed by watering. Alternatively, this oper-
ation should be carried out during a downpour. Plants of greater vigour, better height
and size should be used in this operation so as to avoid casualties again and to make
good the lost growth.
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