The trend analysis of historical rainfall data on monthly, annual and seasonal basis for three locations in lower Shivaliks of Punjab, viz., Patiala-ki-Rao (1982-2015), Ballowal Saunkhri (1987-2015) and Saleran (1984-2017) has been done in the present study using linear regression model, Mann Kendall test and Sen’s slope. Further, the data for annual and seasonal rainfall and rainy days has also been analyzed on quindecennial basis, i.e., for the period of 1986-2000 and 2001-2015. The analysis of data showed that annual rainfall in the region ranged from 1000 to 1150 mm. The trend analysis of the data shows that the monthly rainfall is decreasing at Patiala-ki-Rao and Saleran, however, the trend was significant for May at Patiala-ki-Rao; and in March and November at Saleran. At Ballowal Saunkhri, the decreasing trend is observed from May to October, however, the trend is significant only in August. The decrease in annual and monsoon rainfall is about 13 to 17 mm and 12 to 13 mm per year respectively at three locations in lower Shivaliks of Punjab. The highest annual (1600-2000 mm) and monsoon (1500-1800 mm) rainfall during the entire study period was recorded in the year 1988 at three locations. The decadal analysis of the data shows below normal rainfall during April to October. The analysis of the rainfall and rainy days on monthly, annual and seasonal averages of 15 year basis showed that both rainfall and rainy days have decreased during the 2001-2015 as compared to 1986-2000 during all the seasons of the year.

Agro-ecosystems sustainability is largely determined by its economic viability and its impacts on the environment and society as a whole. The efficient management of on-farm resources in integration with natural biogeochemical cycles broadens the natural resource base for economic agriculture, and enhances environmental quality. Sustainably managing natural resources also envisages exploring intricate linkages among biophysical, technological, social-economic and environmental factors. For sustainably enhancing growth in agriculture production, there is a need to increase resource use efficiency by integration of agronomy with natural biogeochemical cycles for conserving resources, and to innovate to create efficient technologies for precise application and use of resources. In any case the the solutions must take care of the urgent environmental concerns on priority basis.

The proficient supply of water and nutrients is a key factor for successful vegetable production under greenhouses. This field experiment was conducted during 2018–2019 under a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of drip irrigation and nutrient schedule on soil water dynamics and the productivity of greenhouse tomato. The experiment consisted of two irrigation schedules, i.e., I1 (irrigation applied from week 1 to 2 on the basis of 100% pan evaporation (Epan), week 3 to 8 on the basis of 40% of Epan, week 9 to 14 on the basis of 60% of Epan, week 15 to 20 on the basis of 80% of Epan, week 21 to 24 on the basis of 100% of Epan) and I2 (irrigation applied on the basis of 100% of Epan throughout the crop period) with a five-nutrient schedule, viz., F1 (100% NPK applied through the conventional method), F2 (100% N applied through fertigation + PK through the conventional method), F3 (100% NK applied through fertigation + P through the conventional method), F4 (100% NPK applied through fertigation) and F5 (50% NPK applied through the conventional method + 150% NPK applied through fertigation). The soil moisture content (SMC) and its depletion were measured during growing season. The tomato yield was significantly higher under I2. However, water use efficiency (WUE) was significantly higher under I1 treatment. Among the nutrient schedules, the yield and WUE were significantly higher in F5 treatment. The net returns were highest under F5 and lowest under F1. The Benefit:Cost ratio was highest in F4 and lowest under F1. The irrigation level I2 (irrigation applied on the basis of 100% of Epan throughout the crop period) with fertigation treatment F4 (100% NPK applied through fertigation) was the best strategy for obtaining the maximum productivity of tomato under the greenhouse. It can be concluded that the drip-based fertigation enhances the crop yield and net returns and therefore may be promoted to increase the income of the farmers.

The Shivalik foothills of northwestern India are very prone to soil erosion by water due to undulating slopes, highly erodible soils and high intensity rainstorm events during monsoon season. Physically based soil erosion modeling is seen as viable method for planning of measurements to reduce damages done by soil erosion. Nevertheless, parametrization of such models is a major challenge for large inaccessible areas. Several methods do exist for the estimation of the input parameters skin factor, surface roughness and resistance to erosion for the physically based soil erosion model EROSION-3D. Four rainfall experiments, each including dry and wet run, were conducted on different land use conditions on a research farm of the Regional Research Station Ballowal Saunkhri to test estimation methods. Modeling parameters were determined from these experiments. Parameter estimation by two methods for experimental conditions produced values in close range to experimentally determined values for resistance to erosion and surface roughness. Therefore, existing estimation methods are considered to be applicable for the conditions of the Shivalik mountains, except for skin factor. A first modeling with EROSION-3D using preliminary data of a small example catchment shows uncertainties resulting from range of determined and estimated soil parameters.

No abstract