SOIL AND RAINFALL BASED CROP PLANNING OF DHANBAD DISTRICT IN JHARKHAND
Loading...
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
Abstract
n have adverse effect on agricultural production.
Jharkhand is located in the eastern region of India and agriculture is the mainstay
for the people. The primary source of irrigation for agricultural production in most parts
of Jharkhand is rainfall. Therefore, the temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall plays a
vital role in the agriculture activities. keeping these facts in view the present study was
undertaken for crop planning based on soil and rainfall characteristics of Dhanbad district
in Jharkhand.
Soil samples collected from 10 blocks of Dhanbad at a depth 0-30cm were
analyzed for various physical properties (viz. soil texture, bulk density, field capacity,
permanent wilting point, available water capacity) and chemical properties (pH, organic
carbon, available N, P and K). Daily rainfall data for 20 years (2002-2021) collected for
all blocks of Dhanbad district were analyzed for weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual
distribution and other, viz. meteorological drought, initial and conditional probabilities,
agricultural drought, and incomplete gamma probability, were computed using software
(Weather Cock v1.0) developed by the coordinating unit of AICRP on
Agrometeorology, CRIDA, Hyderabad.
The soils were nearly coarse in texture, mostly sandy loam in all of the blocks were
observed. Bulk density and other soil moisture retention parameters (FC, PWP and Avl.
water) followed the trend of mechanical separates and the textural class.
Wide fluctuations in soil reaction were observed among the blocks. It varied from
highly acidic (4.6) to neutral (7.7) in the blocks of Dhanbad. Fertility level in terms of
organic carbon was in low to medium (1.7- 7.3 g kg-1
), available N from low to medium
(125 - 470 kg ha-1
), available P from low to high (4.3-27.3 kg ha-1
), and available K from
low to medium (53.7 to 275.3 kg ha-1
) was observed in all the block.
Annual and Monsoonal rainfall showed an increasing trend ranging from 1.7 to
24.9 mm yr-1 and 0.4 to 18.9 mm yr-1 in most of the blocks, respectively. Among the
seasons, monsoon received maximum rain 82.7 per cent, and only 17.3 per cent of rain
was received in the remaining three seasons (post monsoon, winter & summer). Rainfall
variability in (CV%) was noticed maximum in rabi season (172.9-237.9 %) than in Kharif
(48.1-73.2 %).
Initial and conditional probability in terms of P(W) and P(W/W) above 0.5 level
for 20 mm rain has been observed from 25 to 39 SMW in most of the blocks. The 50 mm
limit has been observed from 26-34 SMW in Topchachi and Govindpur whereas rest of
the blocks have a limit of 27-38 SWM.
The meteorological drought severity was analyzed for all 10 blocks indicated that
Purvi tundi faced only 2 years of severe drought while other blocks had 1 year of severe
drought. Moderate drought was observed maximum of 6 years in Tundi block, while (1-5
years) moderate drought was observed in the rest of the blocks. Between 13 to 18 years,
no drought was observed in any of the blocks. Early (22-28 SMW), middle (29-35 SMW)
and late (36-42 SMW) season agricultural drought was observed maximum in Baghmara
(i.e., 12 years), Tundi and Purvi tundi (11 years) and Egarkund (10 years). The remaining
blocks were experienced early, middle, and late agricultural drought (6 to 9 years). Early
and late season agricultural drought was seen in all blocks of Dhanbad district. Gamma
distribution of rainfall at five levels (90, 75, 50, 20 & 10 %) clearly indicated that annual
rain is close to 50 percent probability in all blocks of Dhanbad.
Crop growing environments in terms of soil characteristics and weather variables
were analyzed separately for all 10 blocks. Planning of crops with suitable varieties was
identified for normal, early, mid and late drought conditions based on rainfall
characteristics, temperature, humidity, and soil parameters for kharif and early rabi season
crops.
Crop planning were classified according to early, mid and late drought conditions
in each land situations (i e., upland, medium land & lowland). In the upland and medium
land crops like Pigeon pea, Maize, Black gram, Green gram, Sesame, Horse gram,
Cowpea, Dolichos bean, Brinjal, Chilli, Okra, Radish, have been suggested to grow as a
sole or with intercropping. In the lowland situation majorly rice cultivation were
suggested.