Rainfall Analysis for Crop Planning in the Humid Southern Plains of Rajasthan

Daily rainfall data of 38 years (1970–2007) at Banswara (23°32’ N and 74°24’ E) and Dungarpur (23°52’ N and 73° 45’E) of Zone IV B of Rajasthan (Humid Southern Plains) was analysed for long term averages and variability of weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall. Results reveals that a dependable rainfall of 36.0 mm is expected during the month of September every year at both the locations could be helpful in sowing of short duration variety of gram (Dahod yellow), toria (T-9) and taramira on conserved soil moisture just after harvest of maize crop. With normal onset of rainfall, sowing of kharif crops like maize (PEHM-2, HQPM-1, Mahi Kanchan) and paddy (Kalinga-3, Wagad Dhan) should be started from 3^rd week of June. In case of delayed start of monsoon, short duration varieties of maize variety PEHM-2, Navjot, and Mahi Kanchan and low water requirement crops like black gram var. Barkha, clusterbean var. RGC-936, sesame var. RT-46 and RT-125 can be grown.