Dryland Agriculture: An Introduction

Dryland Agriculture refers to growing of crops entirely under rainfed conditions.

Based on the amount of rainfall received, dryland agriculture can be grouped into three categories:

Soil moisture dynamics in Dryland

During rainy period, a portion of the rain received goes as runoff and remaining part enters the soil. It generally percolates to the lower layers and sometimes, goes beyond the root zone of crops. After the rain, the surface soil gradually dries out either due to evaporation or transpiration or due to both.