Association of Agrometeorologists

Rainfall analysis in relation to rice crop for Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya

B. GOSWAMI, O. P. SINGH, K. K. SATAPATHI and UDAY S. SAIKIA

The long term rainfall data for Sali rice season (June-November) of Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya has been analyzed to estimate expected weekly rainfall at various probability levels. Based on expected rainfall at 50 and 75% probability levels and water requirement, a crop calendar for Sali rice has been prepared for the district. The calendar is assumed to be applicable for the whole district irrespective of terrain differences as rice is mostly grown in comparatively plain lands in bunded condition. 22nd to 24th meteorological weeks have been suggested best for sowing/transplanting to avoid any kind of water stress during the critical growth periods. Amount of water required to maintain at least 5 cm of standing water in the field up to the dough stage has also been clacilated.

Crop calendar, probability, rice, water requirement