Suitability of sustainable cropping systems in rainfed tropical islands of India

Abstract

The climatic data for 40 years from 1978 to 2017 of the rainfed tropical islands of South Andaman district of Andaman and Nicobar group of islands were analyzed to find out effective rainfall and evapotranspiration. These values were used to calculate the monthly climatic index. The 80% dependable monthly climatic index was correlated with crop coefficient. The total cropping period was determined as 246 days commencing from May to end of December. Crops with more water demand having higher Kc dev, Kc mid and Kc end values were proposed from May onwards to the end of September, and crops with less water demand having lower Kc dev, Kc mid and Kc end values were proposed from October onwards. Based on it a feasible and sustainable set of 54 nos. of cropping sequences were suggested for the study area.