Problems in establishing moisture-retaining techniques for arid regions.
Krasnoshchekov, N. V.; Spirin, A. P.;
Tekhnika v Sel'skom Khozyaistve Year: 2000 Issue: No. 1 Pages: 3-6 Ref: 8 ref.
2000
บทคัดย่อ
Arid steppe regions account for approx equal to 30% of cultivated land in the Russian Federation, and are characterized by low precipitation (270-270 mm/year), long dry periods and hot winds. Ground moisture levels are low, and in areas where crops are cultivated the problem is exacerbated by the fact that 40-70% of moisture from precipitation is lost through evaporation, runoff and snow removal. Ways of improving the rate of retention of such moisture in the soil are discussed, encompassing postharvest procedures, basic and pre-sowing soil treatment, weed control, snow retention, and prevention of runoff of rain and water from thawed snow. Postharvest shallow ploughing of stubble and other crop residues is widely recognized as having a moisture-retaining effect and also a role in controlling weeds and other pests; shallow ploughing techniques and equipment that are most effective in arid conditions are outlined. While typically >60% of fallen snow is washed away from fields, with a snow retenti
on approach, ground moisture reserves can be increased by 55-60 mm, soaking the root zone, and enabling grain yields to be increased by more than or equal to 300-500 kg/ha. Creating snow rolls in fields, using a snow plough or combined snow plough-roller-compactor, is considered the most efficient means of achieving snow retention in arid steppe regions. Harrowing with spiked harrows is identified as a simple and efficient approach to preventing evaporation of ground moisture in spring. Factors to be taken into account when choosing the type of plough to use in pre-sowing preparation of soil are also considered, together with mechanical approaches to weed control. It is concluded that the introduction of integrated multi-function machinery is essential in improving moisture retention rates in arid steppe regions and thus increasing the yields of crops cultivated in these regions.