P. R. Mishra , Rajhans Dayal , S. N. Bhola

Abstract

The Importance of case study in watershed research has been discussed in this paper. It is an important tool to explain the complex interrelationship between various factors and processes towards developing clearer understanding to the functioning of a watershed under different land treatments. Case study as an important tool of Scientists in invention and discovery, its wide adoption as a scientific method of research in some of the biological sciences, its scope in watershed research and its advantages over statistical method of research have been high-lighted. The paper advocates its adoption in watershed research.

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S. N. Bhola , Rajbani Dayal , P. R. Mishra

Abstract

The paper presents the results of a study about the rate of loss of available soil water through evaporation and evapo-transpiration under field conditions in a clay loam soil under three different treatments at the Soil Conservation Research Centre, Kota (Rajasthan). Gypsum blocks were embedded at 15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm and 90 cm depths and the available moisture per cent was recorded with the help of Bouyoncos moisture meter. A conversion factor for converting the loss of available water into mm/day/30 cm depth was calculated and found to be 0.438 mm for unit available moisture per cent.Average daily loss of available moisture in hoed plots with no plants works out to be 0.0617 mm/day/30 cm depth only as against 0.4755 and 0.320 mm/day/30 cm depth in hoed plots with tobacco plants and in cultivated fallow respectively. The losses by evaporation and by transpiratlon in hoed plots with tobacco plants have been segregated. The transpiration loss in available moisture per cent per day was found to be 3.0, 1.55 and 2.38 for 15 cm, 30 cm and 45 cm depths respectively, while evaporative loss alone was recorded to the tune of 1.28, 0.20 and 0.048 per day. The study shows that the available water was saved to the tune of 72.87 mm (2.83 inches) up to 90 cm depth by hoeing.

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S. N. Bhola , Gurmei. Singh , Rajbans Dayal

Abstract

On the basis of physical and chemical characteristics and morphological features of different soil profiles studied in different parts of the region, the soils of Kota have been classified into two different series, namely Kota clay (Dark Gray Brown) and Kota Clay loam (Brown). Out of eighty five profiles studied in different parts of the region, the two representing the two soil series established have been described. The clay content and the fertility status in case of Kota Clay series is higher as compared to that of Kota Clay loam series. The physical constants and different ratio like erosion ratio, dispersion ratio, etc., show that Kota clay soils are nearly non-erosive but for their property of cracking and are poorly drained, while Kota clay loam soils are more erosive in nature and are moderately well drained. The buffering curve reveals that the Kota clay soils have 3.5 times higher buffering capacity as compared to that of Kota clay loam ones.

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