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Drought-resistant soils

Optimization of soil moisture for sustainable plant production

Year of publication 2005

Pages 96

Author Land and Water Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

ISBN 9251053588

Series title FAO land and water bulletin

Series number 1024-6703|10245703

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Water is the “lifeblood” of agricultural practice worldwide. However, water scarcity is a major constraint on rainfed agriculture. As well as being a consequence of low or erratic rainfall, the perceived water scarcity may be caused by choices made by the farmer, e.g. of a crop or variety sensitive to water stress, or by inadequate management of available water from rainfall. Inappropriate practices in a particular context can have a dramatic affect on water resources management and so il moisture availability. In order to minimize the impact of drought, soil needs to capture the rainwater that falls on it, store as much of that water as possible for future plant use, and allow plant roots to penetrate and proliferate. Problems with or constraints on one or several of these conditions cause soil moisture to be a major limiting factor for crop growth.

Language English

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