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Title: Coping strategies with agrometeorological risks and uncertainties for water erosion, runoff and soil loss

Author
item Doraiswamy, Paul
item Hunt Jr, Earle
item MURTHY, R - ACHARYA N.G. AGR. UNIV.

Submitted to: World Meteorological Organization
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/30/2006
Publication Date: 9/15/2007
Citation: Doraiswamy, P.C., Hunt, E.R., Murthy, R.V. 2007. Coping strategies with agrometeorological risks and uncertainties for water erosion, runoff and soil loss. In: M.V.K Sivakumar and R.P. Motha editors. Managing Weather and Climate Risks in Agriculture. New York, NY: Springler-Verlag. p. 343-354.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soil quality is one of the more important factors that have a significant impact on crop production. Meeting the needs especially in developing countries through more intensive use of existing agricultural lands and expansion into more marginal lands has substantially increased erosion. The problem of water erosion, runoff and soil loss is affecting the finite resource of arable lands in all part of the globe. The discussions presented here focus on the methods to reduce the risks and uncertainties in crop production through intervention management techniques for the farming systems to help minimize soil erosion and soil loss from excessive surface water runoff. Examples of management strategies feasible for different levels of farming systems are presented. Coping strategies include soil management practices such as tillage, the crops cultivated, sequence of cropping with cover crops planted where possible, the use of crop residue, and development of mechanical barriers to slow down the runoff over sloping landscapes. The specific strategy suitable for a particular site would depends on many factors such as landscape characteristics, soil properties, rainfall patterns and intensity, adaptability of soil and crop management practices in the region. Developing a proper combination of these strategies based on a good assessment of the problem is critical for a successful implementation of coping risks and uncertainties in crop production.