Spatial and Temporal Assessment of Moisture Availability Index of Major Crops Grown in Anathapur District of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A comprehensive study was undertaken during, 2023 at CRIDA, Hyderabad, Telandana to quantify MAI for each crop and for each mandal to assess the sufficiency of rainfall for crop growth. The experiment was based on the data collected for the period of 45 years (1971 to 2015) for the sixty three (63) mandals of Ananthapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India.This research employed actual evapotranspiration (AET), potential evapotranspiration (PET) were used to quantify MAI. MAI for the major crops grown viz., groundnut, maize and sorghum during the crop growing season was used to indicate the crop wise number of very deficit, moderate deficit, and somewhat deficit periods specifically during crop growth stage (early, vegetative and reproductive growth stage). Sowing of crop was assumed to have taken place after receipt of 25 mm in 1 day or 40 mm in consecutive 3 days. MAI was computed for each week and assessment made to identify the periods of insufficient moisture. Compared to sorghum and maize groundnut crop was found to be most suitable to Ananthapur region provided few critical irrigation were planned. Atmakur, Rapthadu, Chenne Kothapalle, Roddam in the central part of the district and Gorantla, Puttaparthi in the southern parts and Bommanahal, Pamidi and Kudair mandals on the northern side showed a greater number of severe deficit, moderate deficit periods indicating a significant need for additional irrigation. This study highlights the necessity of supplementary irrigation to support crop growth in these areas, ensuring sustainable agricultural practices in the Ananthapur district.