Characterization of climate and crop productivity using DSSAT for SW Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Haridwar district in south west Uttarakhand India is agriculturally very sensitive as this contributes about 35% food grain and 80% sugar to the total production of the state. Weather conditions affected production both directly and indirectly. DSSAT is a very useful tool presently available for yield forecasting taking into account the weather condition, soil condition, crop management condition and genetic coefficients. Weather data was collected from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee whereas the data of soil, crop management and genetic coefficients were collected conducting survey from different parts of the district. Acreage and yield data of rice, wheat and sugarcane of the district was obtained from the office of the Director Agriculture Uttarakhand for the period 2000-2011. Weather data analyzed using DSSAT recorded 1026 mm/year average annual rain with 68 rainy days/year and 65% probability of wetness/year in Haridwar. Actual average yield of rice, wheat and sugarcane was reported as 22.4 q/ha, 25.0 q/ha and 609 q/ha respectively. The DSSAT however forecasted the average yield of rice and wheat as 26.3 q/ha and 28.2 q/ha respectively. Marginally higher forecast of yield in rice and wheat over the actual through DSSAT needs further scrutiny. Regression model however responded at par with the actual forecasting the average yield in rice as 22.9 q/ha, wheat as 25.2 q/ha and sugarcane as 610 q/h. These observations confirm the scope of using DSSAT in characterising weather condition and crop yield forecasting in Uttarakhand.

Impact of projected climate change on wheat varieties in Uttarakhand, India

“…Study area comes in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand situated in the south western plain of the state and lies between 290 30' -310 02' N and 770 20'-790 20' E. Area is agriculturally very sensitive and contributes about 35% food grain and 80% sugar to the total production of the state (Tripathi et al, 2013). District is situated in the foot hills of the Shivalik forms a transition between the per-humid northern and dries to sub-humid southern plain zones of great Himalaya also famous for its recreational beauty and abundance of natural resources.…”

Climatic variability over the 20th century and future drift during wheat (Triticum aestivum) growing period in Uttarakhand region, India

“…Change in minimum temperature during WCP was less in plains as compared to hilly regions. Overall rate of change in minimum and maximum temperature during WCP is less in plains which to be considered as the pocket of Wheat for Uttarakhand state (Tripathi et al 2013). The change in rainfall has positive impact on production and productivity (Dubey et al 2012) of wheat crop because the rate of change was quite higher as compared to hilly tract.…”