Farm ponds are one of the structures for water recycling. Run-off is inevitable in tropical farm ponds. It varies from 10 to 40 %. If the run-off is collected in farm ponds, it can be recycled in one of the following ways: (I) saving a standing crop from drought effects, (ii) providing pre-sowing irrigation for post-rainy crops, (iii) extending the growing season for the benefit of long duration crops like pigeon-pea or castor beans, and (iv) providing a minimum irrigation for growing vegetables/fruits or fodder trees in small areas. The size of the farm pond suggested is 250 m 3 per hectare catchment. Then with each fill 30 to 40 per cent of the area can be covered with 5-cm critical irrigation. |
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