Effect of abiotic factors on the production of rice crop in Chhattisgarh plain zone I

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of abiotic factors on rice production in the Chhattisgarh Plain Zone I, including districts of Baloda Bazar, Dhamtari, Durg, Gariyaband, Kanker, Mahasamund, Raipur, and Rajnandgaon. Rainfall data from 2000 to 2021 were obtained from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and analyzed at the Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Agriculture, Raipur and long term rice production data were downloaded from Directorate of Economics and Statistics site. Abiotic stresses, particularly dry spells and droughts, were quantified using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and O’Resource software. Findings revealed that rice production was significantly affected by these stresses, with notable reductions during dry spells in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2015 and 2021, and drought events in 2000, 2002, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2018 across most districts. These results highlight the critical role of rainfall variability in influencing rice productivity in the region and underscore the need for adaptive management strategies to mitigate the effects of climatic stressors. These findings indicated that rice production in the region is highly sensitive to dry spells and droughts, highlighting the necessity for adaptive measures to sustain yields under fluctuating rainfall conditions.