Alfalfa under flood irrigation
Type: Technologies
Creation: 2016-06-05 10:00 Updated: 2017-05-31 16:21
Compilers: Badria Alhosni
Reviewers: David Streiff
Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment
- Country: Oman
- Region/ State/ Province: Al Batinah South
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: AL Mussanha
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Technology
Short description of the Technology
Alfalfa grown for fodder using flood irrigation from groundwater
Detailed description of the Technology
The technology involves growing alfalfa using irrigation from a well with salinity 5.4 dS/m. The total area is 10 faddan of which about a quater faddan is planted with sorghum and sesame. The farm has been cultivated for over 40 years. Alfalfa survives for 5 years at present but it used to sustain for over 12 years before. Showing that duration of harvesting age has reduced mainly due to increasing in the soil salinity, wich is greatly affected by subsequent increase in water salinity.
Purpose of the Technology: Alfalfa is grown for fodder production that is sold in the markets to earn income for supporting livelihoods of households.
Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: The land is prepared using tractors. Two cycles of plowing and harrowing are undertaken before sowing the grass. Seed are broadcasted after proper seedbed preparation. The land is irrigated immediately after planting. The field is fertilized by manure mixture with Urea.
Natural / human environment: The land is flat with slope ranging from 0-2%. The soils are deep mostly sandy and sandy loam