A Multiple Criteria-Based Approach in Monitoring Soil Water Stress in Sonitpur District, Assam

Abstract

AbstractAn unprecedented rise in the global population is occurring. Consequently, there is exponential growth in the demand of food for meeting the needs of the increasing population. Therefore, there is now an absolute necessity for sustainable and smart agriculture. However, sustainable agriculture may not be possible if the associated aspects such as estimation of soil moisture, soil health, nutrient status, crop phenology, and soil classification of smart farming are ignored. The moisture in the soil may be directly associated with crop water stress. Therefore, crop water stress has been quantified in this study to determine soil moisture status in the study area. Soil moisture is a significant factor in the context of crop phenology, crop diseases, and crop yield analysis. In this study, rainfall analysis has been accomplished using SPI (Standardized Precipitation Index) and RAI (Rainfall Anomaly Index) for the years 2014 to 2018, with quantification of topographic wetness using DEM-based analysis. The relationship between topographic moisture and soil texture has been established, and the stressed areas have been determined with the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI). Variability in precipitation influences crop growth. As a result, the probability of drought increases with decrease in rainfall, and vice versa. Consequently, meteorological knowledge is necessary to accurately examine the moisture differences in soils and crops. The outcome of the study can be utilized in elaborating other indices for examining crop phenology.KeywordsSoil moistureDroughtCrop Water Stress Index (CWSI)Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)Rainfall Anomaly Index (RAI)