M. N., ThimmegowdaSANTOSH NAGAPPA NINGOJI2023-01-052023-01-052021-12-14Th-13025https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810191227The study consisted of an open field experiment and a protected cultivation for standardizing “Reduced runoff farming practices for soil moisture distress in Eastern dry zone of Karnataka”. The field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 at AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru entitled “Comparison of sustainable dryland cropping system under reduced runoff farming system”. The better growth, yield parameters and economics were recorded in cropping systems with one sensor based micro irrigation of 25 mm during dry spell from farm pond as compared to their respective control. Significantly higher finger millet equivalent yield (9627 kg ha-1), WUE (19.19 kg ha-mm-1), gross return (Rs. 303706 ha-1), net return (Rs. 24556 ha-1) and B:C ratio (5.22) were recorded in french bean with one protective irrigation when compared to non-irrigated and other cropping systems. It was followed by pigeonpea+ field bean (1:1). However, the runoff, soil loss and nutrient losses were higher with sole cropping systems compared to intercropping systems. The green house experiment subtitled “Roof water harvesting and its efficient use under protected cultivation” was conducted in two seasons during 2020-21. The experiment was laid out in RCBD design with factorial concept and replicated thrice. The results revealed that sensor based irrigation schedule at 75 % ASM with 125 % RDF was better combination for enhancing growth, yield attributing parameters viz., capsicum fruit length (87.51 mm), diameter (76.17 mm) and volume (207.67 cm3) & fruit yield per plant (1751 g plant-1) and realizing higher fruit yield (60089 kg ha-1). The same combination also enhanced economics viz., net return (Rs. 1398731 ha-1) & B:C ratio (2.07) and resources use efficiency viz., nutrient use efficiency (79.5 kg kg-1), water use efficiency (16.75 kg m-3) and energy productivity (0.80 kg MJ-1).EnglishThesis