Agroecological sub-zone based sustainable land use in arid Rajasthan (India)

The arid region of Rajasthan has been classified into unique agro-ecological sub-regions, zones, and sub-zones (indicated by their code number in this abstract) for which sustainable land use has been suggested based on the potentials and constraints. 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1 sub-zones need dune stabilization, silvopastural farming, and kharif cultivation in interdunes; khadin water harvesting system, as well as solar farming. 4.1 and 4.2 sub-zones need rainfed cropping under conserved moisture, agroforestry and limited irrigation, cultivation of low water requiring crops, such as mustard, cumin in rabi. In 4.3 sub-zone under conserved moisture and winter rainfall pulses and mustard are suggested. In 5.1 and 5.2 sub-zones kharif season crops and wheat, mustard, cumin, and condiments irrigated with brackish groundwater by adopting gypsum treatment are suggested. In the canal command area, the micro-irrigation system is doing well in the sandy plain and dune complex area, but in the Ned area irrigation needs to be restricted/avoided. In 5.3 and 5.4 sub-zones, rainfed irrigated crops and fruit cultivation is suggested. In 6.1 sub-zone dune stabilization is suggested; 6.2 and 6.3 sub-zones require erosion control and irrigation water management for the cultivation of cotton, paddy, groundnut, sugarcane, and kinnow.