Abstract
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) could be the best alternative for water resources, which affects the yield and productivity of
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.). Therefore, field studies were conducted in North Kordofan area, Western Sudan, on a sandy
clay loam soil during 2012 and 2013 growing seasons, in which the effects of five water harvesting techniques (WHTs) for
growing sorghum including mulching, intercropping, stone barriers, crescent and L-shape were investigated. The moisture
content of the soil was measured at three periods before crop sowing (P1), at mid-season (P2) and after harvest (P3) and at four
soil depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm). The results revealed that, the soil and plant parameters were significantly
influenced by the WHTs during both growing seasons through improving the structure, infiltrability, and water storage
capacity of the soil in relation to the control. The variability of the soil moisture content (SMC) and plant parameters
increased during the drier season 2012 and decreased during the wetter season 2013. Soil depth, measurement period and
their interaction had highly significant effects on SMC during both growing seasons. Differences among the WHTs were
more obvious in the topsoil layer (0-30 cm) with no significant differences below 30 cm depth. Straw mulching conserved
more moisture within one soil profile, particularly at the medium and lower depths (30-90 cm). It also consistently captured
more run-off water than the other techniques; at all stages of plant growth, in both growing seasons followed by earth and
stone bunding. This was clearly reflected by better crop establishment and yield components of sorghum, hence generate
higher gross returns. In conclusion, the study revealed the potential advantages of WHTs for semi-arid zones and in
particularly for Northern Kordofan, Sudan with reference to the rationale for adopting WHTs and enhance sorghum yield
