Agro-geotextiles: Enhancing sloping rainfedarable land productivity in the north-westernHimalayan region

Abstract

Agro-geotextiles refers to any textile or fabric which is used to mitigate soil related constraints in the field. They stabilise soil by enhancing soil structure, reduce soil erosion that in return increase water infiltration, reduce soil loss and ultimately help in sustaining crop productivity. The article presents the possibility of using conservation tillage (CT) based Arundo donax agro-geotextiles (AD-AGTs) to increase cropping intensity on slopping rainfed arable land in north-western Himalayan region of India. The rigid leaves and robust stem/culm are utilised in the production of AD-AGTs. This grass has accelerated growth and enhanced density, leading to a coarser surface and less soil surface runoff. It is an alternative, practical, temporary, and economically viable option for soil and water conservation technologies in the region.