Role of Soil Physical Properties in Soil Health Management and Crop Productivity in Rainfed Systems-II Management Technologies and Crop Productivity

Abstract

In this article we review how different management technologies like integrated nutrient management, tillage practices, mulching, addition of clay, surface compaction, conservation tillage, use of polymers, etc. can favourably modify the soil physical properties like bulk density, porosity, aeration, soil moisture, soil aggregation, water retention and transmission properties, and soil processes like evaporation, infiltration, run-off and soil loss for better crop growth and yield. The central idea of this article is to suggest that if appropriate soil management technologies are adopted in rainfed areas for the improvement of soil physical health, the productivity of rainfed crops can be significantly improved.