Reclamation of abandoned aqua ponds in Krishna zone of Andhra Pradesh

Aqua culture has spread fast in coastal region of Andhra Pradesh during last two decades. but due to the erratic distribution of rainfall and adverse effects of climate, the aqua culture has failed partially. Heavy losses incurred by aqua farmers due to failure of crops. There by farmers were forced to abandon these ponds and started growing paddy. Alternate strategies are needed for the reclamation process for sustainability. In this situation, there is a need for reclamation of abondedaquaponds and the techniques were developed (based on research conducted by CSSRI, Karnal and sub center) to reclaim the abandonaquaponds. To create awareness among the farmers, the study was carried out in different villages of selected farmer fields from 2012 to 2014 in Guntur district of Andhra Pradeh. The adjoining fields of aqua culture ponds was affected severely up to 20m and thereafter the severity decreased wherever trenches were not made around the ponds to control the seepage. The concentrations of NPK in the plant samples were low while Na concentration was high due to soil salinity. Implementation of reclamation practices like application of gypsum, (leaching of soluble salts) which are accumulated in the pond surface layer, they get dissolved, diluted & drained out through drainage channel, followed by growing of dhaincha green manure and insitu incorporation. The EC levels of abondedaquaponds were drastically reduced from 22.0to 1.05 dSm-1. The soil pH levels get neutralized from 9.77 to 7.21. Whenever the EC & pH values decreased & neutralized the availability of nutrients are increased & increased the crop yields from 12 to 43% compared to earlier.