Reprint - Central Arid Zone Research Institute

24 Ramakrishna, Y.S. (1986)Climatic constraints to crop production in the Indian arid zone.Transactions of the Indian Society of Desert Technology. 11: 41-47The major climatic constraints to crop production in the Indian aridzone are emphasised. The reasons for the low productivity andinstability in crop production in the Indian arid zone are discussed,and land use planning in reference to rainfall variability in westernRajasthan are suggested. The importance of other climatic factors oncrop production were elaborated and the role of organic mulches andshelter belts in moisture conservation and increasing cropproduction in the arid regions are highlighted.25 Ramakrishna, Y.S., Ramana Rao, B.V. and Rao, G.G.S.N.(1984-85)Influence of commencement of sowing rains on the occurrence ofagricultural droughts in different rainfall zones of westernRajasthan. Indian Journal of Geography. 14: 79-84From the yields of pearl millet and short duration pulses underdifferent intensities of agricultural drought, it can be clearly seenthat the variations in the yield are in good agreement with theintensities of droughts classified. The frequencies of occurrence ofagricultural droughts of different intensities under early, normaland late commencement of sowing rains at different stations arealso given. In Barmer and Jaisalmer regions where the normalannual rainfall is less than 300 mm, severe agricultural droughtsare common as a result of late commencement of sowing rainsthereby shortening the growing season available to the crops. In theSikar region with normal annual rainfall of about 450 mm, shortduration pulses experience drought free conditions on the averagefive out of six years under early and normal commencement ofsowing rains. In Jodhpur region, early commencement of sowingrains will lead to greater risk of moderate and severe agriculturaldroughts for pearl millet crop. Pearl millet crop has greater risk ofbeing subjected to agricultural drought during the years with earlycommencement of sowing rains. Under late commencement ofsowing rains in Jodhpur region, short duration pulses can bepreferred compared to pearl millet in view of the low droughtvulnerability of these crops.26 Ramakrishna, Y.S., Ramana Rao, B.V. and Rao, G.G.S.N.(1985)Water balance and crop planning - a case study of westernRajasthan. Annals of Arid Zone. 24: 114-123