Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Management of Soils - Principles of Sustainable Soil Management in Agroecosystems - page 319

TABLE 13.8
Indigenous Practices of Soil and Water Conservation in India

State Where
Followed Indigenous Practices Crops/Plants Grown Purpose/Benefit

Vegetative fencing/
barrier

Kiluvai ( Blasmo
Dendron verii ) and
agave

Reduce water runoff and
increase infiltration

Karnataka

Mixed intercropping as
vegetative barrier

Groundnut, pigeon pea,
and pulses

Runoff control Andhra Pradesh

Relay cropping Onion-rabi sorghum or

chickpea

Reduction in runoff and
better utilization of soil
moisture

Karnataka

Spur structure Any crop Protection of cropland

from erosion by
diverting the runoff

Jharkhand

Mixed cropping
( Mishrabele paddati )

Onion, chili, and cotton Reduction in runoff and

better utilization of soil
moisture

Karnataka

Preemergence soil
stirring

Any crop Removal of weeds,

loosening the soil for
conserving moisture

Uttar Pradesh

Compartmental
bunding; loose boulder
checks; peripheral
stone bunding

Any crop Soil conservation and

runoff management

Andhra Pradesh,
Orrisa,
Maharashtra

Bunds protected with
vegetal cover

Any crop Strengthening of earthen

bunds to reduce erosion
and runoff

Gujarat

Bandh system of
cultivation

Any rabi crop Harvest runoff for

assured rabi crops in
rainfed areas

Madhya Pradesh

Live bunding By planting cactus Reduce runoff and check

soil erosion

Uttar Pradesh

Cross plowing Any crop Check runoff and soil

loss

Uttar Pradesh

Plantation of grasses on
field bound

With Vitex negundo
(Nirgundi)

Reduce runoff and soil
loss

Maharashtra

Peripheral bunding;
vegetative barrier
across gullies

Agave spp., Ipomea Gully control and runoff

management

Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka

Nala plugging General Control of flow of water

in nalas to minimize
development of gully
and lateral recharge of
water

Uttar Pradesh

( continued )