The major part of northeast Brazil is classified as arid and serni-arid, with an annual precipitation of 400-600 mm, poorly distributed and highly unpredictable. Therefore, chances of success in crop production are slim. The responsibility for developing suitable agricultural techniques for this region lies with the Centre of Agricultural Research for the Semi-Arid Tropics (CPATSA) of the Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA), which is located at Petrolina (PE), Brazil

LAL, H.

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The "in-situ" rainwater haruesting technique of CPATSA/EMBRAPAThe major part of northeast Brazil is classified as arid and serni-arid, withan annual precipitation of 400-600 mm, poorly distributed and highly un-predictable. Therefore, chances of success in crop production are slim.The responsibility for developing suitable agricultural techniques for thisregion lies with the Centre of Agricultural Research for the Semi-AridTropics (CPATSA) of the Brazilian Enterprise for Agricultural Research(EMBRAPA), which is located at Petrolina (PE), Brazil.To increase and stabilize dryland crop production, CPATSA has beenworking on alternative soil management and tillage practices, with andwithout supplemental irrigation. Among the various other achievements,the development of an innovative system of soil management, along withthe necessary mechanization (animal-drawn and tractorized) has drawn theattention of local extension workers and farmers.The system consists in shaping the soil surface in the form of a "W",with alternating wide and narrow ridges following the contour (Figs. 2 and3). The wide ridges serve as a rainwater-harvesting zone, the narrow ridges asplanting zone and the furrows as water storage zone and pathway for animalsand wheels. The furrows can also serve as drainage or irrigation channelswhen the system is laid out on sloping terrain. To initiate and to re-shape thesystem, 2 types of mechanization have been developed, one for animal trac-tion (Figs. 4 and 5) and 1 for use with a tractor. Initiation takes 6-8 h ha-1with animal traction and 2-3 h ha-1 when performed with a tractor.The advantages of the system may be listed as follows: facilitates mechan-ization due to symmetrical configuration; facilitates separate, selective tillageoperations for water-harvesting and planting zones; is adaptable to supple-mental irrigation; reduces soil compaction in the planting zone; concentratesorganic matter and fertilizer in the planting zone; is easily maintained with aminimum of tillage; facilitates preparation during the dry season ; providesfurrows for animals and machinery wheels.The performance of the system in terms of higher and ensured crop pro-duction, fewer animal and tractor hours and better control of runoff anderosion has been very encouraging. First year's (1983) experience shows thatthe system can improve cowpea yield by 30% without any fertilizer and byup to 100% with a small amount of chemical fertilizer (15 kg ha-1 N and45 kg ha-1 P20S) as compared with the flat planting technique commonlyused in the region. This year (1984) the system is being tested on an opera-496Sorghum ,Maize .Cowp e o .,." ,'l'it;'~':F9..Maize Cowpea (1 2)"" '" ':""IntercropCotton (anual): Sorghum(21)'1':.'.: ",.. ,' ... .,..,::,:: ";.'Cotton (perennial ):Cowpea Sorghum (1: 1 1)..' .Cassava Cowpea (1,1).:'.," :.•..... " .. .: .: :-Palm Sorghuw (1 2)Banana Maize Co w pe c ., \ ,';.~., ~ : J - •. / .•. .•.c .", ,.; ~" ~. :,.': ... ',<\' '. o',,,:," ~." .~.' .. '-" ,~:. :. ,:~ ! :........t" :.\-, i:-',•...v. •.!'; ':<icrcrWNWroU--,~{' .. '~-. ~ ". \' ...:" .Ó: i'~1. .] ...." .. ,-(/)wOCrop combinations on a new type "in -"situ" rainwater harvestingtec hruqueFig. 2, Crop combinations on a soi! surface shaped in the form of a "w" for "in-situ"harvesting of rainwater ,497Fig. 3. Cowpea on a "w" shaped soil surface in the arid climate of Petrolina (PE), Brazil.Fig. 4. Animal-~ ridger blade, re-shaping the water-harvesting zone.498Fig. 5. Animal-drawn sugar cane ridger, re-shaping the planting zone.tional scale at the CPATSA research centre and at different locations onfarmers' fields to obtain detailed information on the effects of the system indifferent cropping systems.On the whole the system looks quite promising for the arid and semi-aridregion. We would be glad to share our experience with fellow colleagues in-terested in testing the system under their conditions.Communicated by: Harbans Lal, Research Specialist Consultant on Agricultural Mechan-ization, CPATSA/EMBRAPA/I1CA, Caixa Postal 23, Petrolina (PE), Brazil.INSTRO-MEMBERSHIP LIST - Part Vln this list, corporate members are marked *, friendly relations **, andhonorary members ***.UNITED KINGDOM (continued)Payne, D., Mr. - University of Reading, Soil Science Department, London Road, Read-ing, Berks. RGl 5AQ.Pidgeon, J.D., Dr. - ICI Plant Protection Division, Direct Drilling Section, Fernhurst,Haslemere, Surrey GU27 3JE.Rowse, H.R., Dr. - National Vegetable Research Station, Department of Soil Science,Wellesbourne, Warwickshire CV35 9EF.499***Russell, E.W., Prof. Dr. ern er. - 31 Brooklyn Drive, Emmer Green, Reading , Berks.RG48SR.**Saull, M.R., Mr. - Technical Secret.ary , Soil and Water Management AssociationLimited (SAWMA), National Agricultural Centre , Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwick-shire CV8 2L2.***Scott Russell, R., Dr. -The Grange, East Hanney , Wantage, Oxon OX12 OHQ.Smart, P., Dr. - University of Glasgow, Department of Civil Eng ineering , Glasgow G128QQ.Soane, B.D., Dr. - Head, Scottish Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Agricul turalDepartment, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 OPH.Spoor, G., Prof'. - Silsoe College, Cranfield Inst itu te of Technology, Silsoe, BedfordMK454DT.Staf'Iord , J.V., Dr. - Head, National Institute of Agricultural Engineering (NIAE), SoilMechanics Section, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4HS.Stone, D.A., Mr. - National Vegetable Research Station, Department of Soil Science,Wellesbourne, Warwickshire CV35 9EF.Thomasson, A.J., Mr. - Rothamsted Experimental Station, Department of Soil Survey ,Harpenden, Herts. AL5 2JQ.Warboys, LB., Mr. - University of London, Wye College, Deoartment of Agriculture,Agricul í.ural Env ineering Sect io» , Ashford. Ke o t TN25 5AH.Wiles, T., Mr. - ICI Plant Protection Division, Fernhurst, Haslemere, Surre v GU27 3JE.Wit ney , B.D., DI'. - The Edinburgh School of Agr icultu re , Department of AgriculturalEngineering and Mechanization, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG.UNITED STATES OF AMERICAAllmaras, R.R., Dr. - Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center , P.O. Box 370,Pendleton, on 9780l.**American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 2950 Niles Road, P.O. Box 410, St.Joseph, MI 49085.Bailey , A.C., DI'. - National Tillage Machinery Laboratory , P.O. Box 792, Auburn,AL 36830.Bennet, O.L., Dr. - West Virginia Un iversi ty , Division of Plant Sciences, Morg antown ,WV 26506.Bradford, J.M., Dr. - Purdue University, Department of Agronorny, Lilly Hall, WestLafayette, IN 47907.Campbell, R.B., Dr. - Coastal Plains Soil and Water Conservation Research Center,P.O. Box 3039, Florence, SC 29502.Elkins, C.B., Mr. - Auburn Un iversity , Agronomy Department, 230 Funchess Hall,Auburn, AL 36830.Erbach, D.C., Mr. - Iowa State Un iversity , 219A Davidson Hall, Ames, IA 50011.Fenster, C.R., Prof. Dr. - University of Nebraska, Panhandle Station, 4502 Avenue I,Scottsbluff, NE 6936l.Frye, W., Dr. - University of Ke ntuck y , Department of Agro norn y , Lexington, KY4056.Gantzer, C.J., Prof'. Dr. - University of Missouri-Columbia, Department of Agro nomy,143-C Mumford Hall, Columbia, MO 6521l.Griffith, D.R., DI'. - Purdue University, Department of Agro norny, Life Science Bu ilding,West Lafayette, IN 47907.Hendrick, J.G., Mr. - National Tillage Machinery Laboratory , P.O. Box 792, Auburn,AL 36830.Hoyt, G.D., Dr. - North Carolina State University , Department of Soil Science, MountainHorticultural Crops Research Station, RFD 2, P.O. Box 249, Fletcher, NC 28732.**Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center, 4151 Highway 86, Brawley , CA 92227.

The in situ: raiwater harvesting technique of CPATSA-EMBRAPA.

http://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bitstream/doc/132289/1/SoilTillageResearchv.4n.5p.4954991984.pdf

The in situ: raiwater harvesting technique of CPATSA-EMBRAPA.

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