AE/PE versus crop planning in North-West Alluvial Plain Zone of Bihar

Abstract

The climatic risk for fitting of rainfed crops during kharif and rabi seasons has been worked out by employing the probabilistic values of AE/PE, i.e. index of moisture adequacy (Ima), estimated at 50 and 75 per cent probability levels on weekly basis for three district (Muzaffarpur, West Champanan and Begusarai of Bihar. Maize followed by toria appeared to be the better cropping system than other cropping systems tested in coarse-textured soil. In medium- and fine-textured soils, maize/short duration rice during kharif season followed by toria in rabi season was found to be the most efficient cropping system for potential productivity under rainfed condition. Kharif maize could successfully replace kharif rice under rainfed condition in areas where moisture stress occurs at different growth phases induced by erratic monsoon. Fair yields of short-duration rice could be expected under rainfed condition in mediumand fine-textured soils. Toria could be more successfully grown as rabi crop than lentil in the three selected locations. The study identifies the phenological phases subjected to water stress and hence, it is effective in scheduling irrigation. Alternate crops have also been suggested.