Research Activities

Following are the main research achievements of the institute:

• Upscaling of On-Farm Water Control Structures

In rainfed tract of Pothowar, usually, the land is not flat and various field/terraces are situated at different levels. Consequently, the water received during torrential rains moves from higher fields to the lower resulting into breaking of embankments, erosion of soil and formation of gullies. The Government of Punjab is spending millions of rupees every year for the construction of masonry structures of bricks and cement for controlling the soil erosion. These structures are very expensive and beyond the reach of the farmers from their own resources. The design of the new structures is based on locally available loose stones without masonry work which permits the safe disposal of surplus rainwater to prevent soil erosion as well as receives and absorbs maximum amount of rainfall in field where it is received. During last two years, these structures were upgraded to sub watershed scale. More than 100 structures were installed in various sub watersheds of Dharabi Dam in collaboration with ICARDA. The villages include khokharbala, Rehna Sadat, Bhatti Gujjar, Chak Khushi and Dhoke Mohri. As these structures consist of loose stones, therefore, the average cost per structure was around Rs.10000/-. Natural grass growing within crevices provides binding strength to these structures.

• Upscaling of Gypsum Technology for Crop Improvement

The agriculture in rainfed tract is dependent mainly on rainfall. The two third rainfalls are received in monsoon season. Any technology that leads to the conservation this precipitation will determine the success of succeeding crop. The techniques being used internationally for conservation of rainfall moisture include tillage, mulch/organic materials and chemicals. Gypsum being naturally available in the country is cheaper than the other chemicals usually used for moisture conservation. Therefore, it was explored for conservation of moisture through improvement in physical and chemical condition of soil. During experimentation, pre monsoon soil application of gypsum in Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock & Jhelum has showed substantial improvement in the wheat yield in rainfed area during this extensive experimentation and on an average, 22% increase in grain yield was observed with one ton/acre of gypsum. The application of gypsum has also shown 10 to 15% increase in the yield of other crops during subsequent years. The beneficial impact of

application of gypsum is available for at least three years to other crops. During last two years, the technology was also combined with farm water control structures and up scaled to various sub watersheds of Dharabi dam watershed. Gypsum was added to experimental farmers’ fields on wheat and groundnut.

• Management of Gullied / Eroded Lands Without Involvement of Leveling and Utilization of Rainwater

It is common practice in Pothowar to level (through cut and fill) gullied/severely eroded land with bulldozers for sowing arable crops. The leveling of fields up to ten hour/acre may be considered as

economical but bulldozer is being used frequently for hundreds of hours for leveling the gullies at government expenses. It involves huge expenses and buries the top fertile soil containing nutrients. In addition, the soil also becomes prone to water erosion. Therefore, experimentation was started to standardize technology for use of these lands without involvement of bulldozer through growing of fruit plants and utilization of rainwater. A package of technology is being standardized for these fruit plants. The package of technology includes soil conservation practices such as staggered plantation integrated with half moon terraces, stop wash barriers, contour infiltration ditches and mulching etc. Presently, this study is being conducted at gullied/eroded sites of village Damal (Tehsil Jand), District Attock and in village Hafial, District Jhelum. At Damal, blood red, phalsa, grape fruit, sweet lime, Chinese lemon and olive were planted. Irrigation is being done from a running stream with a diesel pump. At Hafial, the plantation includes olive, fig and peach.  Irrigation source is a pond. At these sites, various plants having low water requirement are performing comparatively than other species.

• Conservation of Moisture by Green Manuring

Moisture conservation is the life line of arid agriculture. Green manuring is one of the methods adopted to conserve moisture in the soil. SAWCRI has utilized this method successfully at farmer fields to demonstrate its significance and convince the farmers to adopt this technology. Several green manures have been assessed for their impact on the conservation of moisture in the soil. Among these green manures, guar has been proved most effective for Pothowar region. The rate of adoption of this technology among the local farmers is encouraging.

• Rainwater Harvesting Techniques

Rain water harvesting techniques are used worldwide to conserve moisture and plant fruit trees in their commandarea. These techniques have been implemented by SAWCRI at the farmer fields and fruit plants having a compliance with the local climate have been planted in the command areas of the respective rain water harvesting structures. These structures have been proved beneficial in storing rain water in the form of surface water and capillary moisture depending upon their design and size. Local farmers willing to raise orchards are adopting these techniques to uplift their economic conditions by growing fruit trees. These structures are the most suitable method to conserve moisture on the land having a slope less than 5 percent. SAWCRI has implemented these techniques in Kallarkahar, Wallana andkhokharbala area of district Chakwal.