MAI based crop planning in assured rainfall region of South Gujarat.
Vaidya V. B., Vyas Pandey, Lunagaria M. M., Shekh A. M.
Author Affiliation: Department of Agricultural Meteorology, BACA, Anand Agricultural University, Anand - 388 110, India.
Journal of Agrometeorology 10 : 467-469
Abstract : Rainfall data for 28 talukas of 6 districts in the South Gujarat region, India, were used to calculate the expected rainfall at 50% level by incomplete gamma distribution. The rainfall amount at 50% probability level and weekly potential evapotranspiration was used in water balance computation. The length of the growing period (LGP) was determined based on moisture availability index (MAI). The annual rainfall at 50% probability was highest (1967 mm) at Gandevi taluka of Navsari district and lowest (676.9 mm) at Zagadia taluka of Bharuch district. LGP varied from 12 to 24 weeks in the different districts of South Gujarat. Rice, sorghum, millets, pigeon pea, gram, pearl millet, maize and other pulses were found suitable in Bharuch, Surat and Navsari districts. The long-duration crops, such as sugarcane, cotton and rice, can be cultivated in areas with higher LGP. The area was also suitable for orchard crops such as mango, sapota [Manilkara zapota] and banana.