Drought Analysis and Supplemental Irrigation Requirement for Rabi Crops in Haryana State

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate hydrological and agricultural aspects of prolonged dry spells during rabi season. It includes the analysis of rainfall, evapotranspiration, crop water requirements and its critical stages. The study revealed that the significance of resource-based crop-planning for tackling the water stress situation during dry spells in the region is important. The study revealed that erratic distribution of rainfall in the state and the occurrence of prolonged dry spells often cause water stress situation to the crop. The analysis carried out in this indicated that the average frequency of drought in the state is once in five years. The estimates of water requirement (WR) for Rabi Wheat crop in the order of 316 mm at Ambala to 366 mm at Gurgaon. The estimates of water requirement (WR) for Rabi potato crop in the order of 225 mm at Ambala to 267 mm at Gurgaon. The estimates of WR for other district are between the above values. Analysis indicated that the effective rainfall in monsoon often may not meet WR in drought years as well as in dry spell periods. It is hoped that this study will pave the way to estimate SIR for Rabi crop in various regions to reduce the risk of crop loss due to dry spells in Haryana state.