Hedge row intercropping impact on run-off, soil erosion, carbon sequestration and millet yield

Reducing run-off and soil loss are important determinants for maintaining productivity and sustainability on sloping agriculture lands. To control water induced soil erosion, a field study was conducted during 2010-2014 to assess the impact of hedge row intercropping on soil erosion, nutrient dynamics, soil moisture and yield of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) on 5 and 10% land slope in combination with conservation treatments. The treatment Gliricidia + Trench planting (G + TP) reduced run-off by 29%, soil loss by 45-48%, and loss of soil organic carbon (SOC), N, P and K by 42-47, 62-65, 54-58 and 51-56%, respectively over control. Similarly for Leucaena + Trench planting (L + TP), the values were 17-19, 27-40, 28-37, 42-50, 39-49, and 37-46%, respectively, over control. Reduced run-off in the G + TP treatment increased soil moisture storage by 11-29%. Intensive pruning of Gliricidia plants for 5 years yielded greater fresh leaf biomass (12-17 Mg ha(-1) year(-1)), whereas Leucaena yielded only 4-5 Mg ha(-1) year(-1). The SOC, N, P and K conservation efficiencies of G + TP were 42-47, 62-64, 54-58 and 51-56% on 5 and 10% land slope, respectively. Gliricidia hedge row intercropping showed promise for improving the conservation potential of the system by maintaining high productivity. Results of this study will act as a technical reference for the adoption of the Gliricidia based hedge row technology for increasing intercrop productivity as well as conserving soil resources in the Eastern Ghats sloping agriculture lands.