• Kashyap B. Gohil

Abstract: The Earth's total potable water supply is finite and remains constant due to the continuous processes of evaporation and precipitation in the hydrological cycle. Only a mere 0.01% of this finite resource is available as surface water in lakes and rivers. Given that agriculture heavily relies on surface water, prudent water management practices can contribute to preserving this precious resource. This study is aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in the Unchadi village of Talaja, Bhavnagar, by calculating crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling for groundnuts, wheat, sorghum, and millet. To achieve this objective, the FAO-developed Cropwat-Penman-Monteith approach is applied. The irrigation scheduling process involves optimizing soil replenishment in the field's capacity along with strategic timing for irrigation during critical depletion stages. This choice of irrigation scheduling minimizes yield losses. In 2019, the reference evapotranspiration (ET0) reaches a high of 3.79 mm/dec. This study analyzes four crops, with wheat having a minimum crop water requirement (CWR) of 189.3 mm/dec and a maximum of 436.9 mm/dec. For sorghum, the CWR ranges from 382.4 to 462.7 mm/dec. The results of this research are expected to significantly improve crop yields and contribute to water conservation in the Unchadi village.

Plant water requirements, FAO-Cropwat, evapotranspiration, irrigation schedule, groundnut, wheat, sorghum, and millet.

"Estimation of Crop Water Needs and Irrigation Scheduling using CROPWAT in Unchadi, Bhavnagar, Gujarat", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 11, page no.a717-a722, November-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2311090.pdf

"Estimation of Crop Water Needs and Irrigation Scheduling using CROPWAT in Unchadi, Bhavnagar, Gujarat", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 11, page no. ppa717-a722, November-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2311090.pdf