Not AvailableDespite investigations suggesting that agro-geo-textiles (AGT) could be an effective and inexpensive soil conservation
method, limited quantitative data are available on erosion-reducing effects of AGT under field conditions
and effects on crop productivity. Field experiments (probably first of its kind) were conducted on two
crop rotations during 2015-16 and 2016-17 at Dehradun on a 4% land slope in the Indian Himalayan Region
(IHR). Seven treatments were executed to evaluate the conservation effects of AGT prepared from giant-cane
(Arundo donax) and maize (Zea mays L.) straw; and comparisons were made with coir-geo-textile, cowpea (Vigna
unguiculata), and grass weed vegetative filters (all placed at 1m vertical intervals, within 100m length plots in
the rainy season maize crop) on crop productivity, profitability, runoff and soil loss reduction, and moisture
conservation. During two years of experimentation, a total of 35 runoff events were observed in maize crops in
rainy months (June to September). Results revealed that the highest (p < 0.05) maize grain yield (2.8 Mg ha−1)
was recorded in Arundo donax AGT treatment (conservation agriculture plus), which was 36% higher than maize
crops raised without AGT (conservation agriculture only). This treatment also reduced runoff (24%) and conserved
soil losses (8.22 t ha-1 year -1) across 18 runoff events, resulting in more soil moisture conserved in the
soil profile than without AGT (35 runoff events). Productivities of succeeding pea (Pisum sativum var. hortense)
and wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol.) crops were enhanced by 122 and 36%, respectively, which
resulted the higher net return (736 USha−1)thaninamaize−pea−wheatsysteminconservationagricultureonly(128US ha−1). In summary, conservation tillage practices along with AGT (conservation agriculture plus) are
more profitable than conservation tillage practices alone on 4% land slopes of IHR.Not Availabl