Assessing the effect of weather parameters on crop productivity of the major crops cultivated in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh State of India

Impacts of climate variability are already experienced across the global. The Indian agriculture mostly affects by changes in climate, it represent in the form of flood situation in some part of the country on the other hand some parts experiences severe drought conditions and that results in the regional inequality in crop production. The present study is about the effect of various weather parameters on crop productivity of major crops (Arhar/Tur, Cotton, Groundnut and Rice) cultivated in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh State of India. The various statistical methods has been used for statistical analysis like detrending, correlation, test of significance for measuring relationship between various weather parameters (Rainfall, Temperature and wind speed) and crop productivity (Tones/Hectare). The statistical significance (at 95% and 99% level) of the various parameters was ascertained by testing significance for the recent 23 years (1997-98 to 2019-20). Crop weather calendars were used to understand crop stage-wise water requirements; favourable and unfavourable weather parameters etc. It is observed that in Arhar crop rainfall during sowing, vegetative growth, and flowering stages is favourable whereas rainfall during germination, grain formation and harvesting is not favourable for crop productivity. For the Cotton crop rainfall during initial boll maturity stages is not favourable where as rainfall during sowing, germination, vegetative growth, and flowering stage is favourable. For the groundnut crop rainfall during flowering and grain formation stage is favourable for crop productivity. For the rice crop rainfall during vegetative growth and flowering stages is favourable where as it is unfavourable during grain formation and harvesting stage. High maximum temperature during sowing and germination is not favourable whereas during grain formation and harvesting it is favourable for better crop productivity. Similar analysis is also carried out for minimum temperature and wind speed and promising results were obtained. This study can help in better crop planning, to understand crop weather relationship, for yield estimation and ultimately increasing crop productivity.