Assessment of Climate Change on Crop Water Requirement of Different Crops using CROPWAT model in Bapatla Region

This study investigated possible implications of climate change (in terms of temperature, wind speed, relative humidity) on crop water requirements (CWRs) by 2050s using CROPWAT 8.0 model in Bapatla region. On an average, 1°C rise in temperature may increase the overall CWR by 2–3% in this region. Increase in CWR due to 3°C increase in temperature is observed as 16.59, 0.54 and 1.59 MCM for thecrops rice, maize and pulses respectively. For rice crop, the CWR showed 2.3, 6.52 and 8.75% increase from the average CWR (1375.1 mm) due to increase in 1, 2 and 3°C respectively. Similar trend was observed in the case of other major crops in this region such as chillies, maize,cotton, pulses, tomato and vegetables. Similarly change in the wind speed and relative humidity has the demonstrative effects on crop water requirements. This study might be useful in explaining the negative effects of climate change on CWR in Bapatla region and better planning for water resources management.