Assessment of crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling for selected crops in the Kohima district, Nagaland, India Open Access

Water is a valuable natural resource that is used for a multitude of purposes throughout the world. However, inadequate distribution over the world, combined with rising demand, could have a significant impact on its availability, perhaps leading to severe freshwater scarcity in the near future (Tarjuelo et al. 2010). Agriculture consumes the most water in the world today, with evapotranspiration accounting for the vast bulk of water loss (Barrow 2016). Climatic variables such as evapotranspiration and unequal rainfall distribution, soil fertility, and soil features all have a significant impact on crop water requirements (CWR) and, hence, the country's development (Thimme Gowda et al. 2013). Thus, enhanced agricultural water productivity is crucial for meeting rising agricultural output demands and improving food security (Molden et al. 2010). Water management that is scientifically sound and wise is the only method to keep crops alive in dry, water-stressed areas. An accurate evapotranspiration calculation is required for scientifically sound irrigation water management practices. There are several approaches of calculating evapotranspiration. The Blaney–Criddle technique, for example, is based on the monthly percentage of total daylight hours and the monthly average temperature. The Thornthwaite technique assumes an exponential relationship between mean monthly temperature and consumption, whereas the Hargreaves method only considers potential evapotranspiration, average day temperature, and incident solar radiation (Michael 2009). The Penman–Monteith strategy combines the energy balancing approach with the mass transfer method and integrates the climatic influence on crop components to compute evapotranspiration (Ewaid et al. 2019; Kibret et al. 2021). The FAO-developed CROPWAT 8.0 software tool automates all of the calculations required to compute evapotranspiration. The Penman–Monteith technique serves as the foundation for future calculations, such as evapotranspiration, irrigation water requirements for various crops and crop rotations, irrigation schedule design, and so on. It is widely used to define agricultural water requirements throughout the world (Feng et al. 2007; Stancalie et al. 2010; Surendran et al. 2015). Several studies have been carried out to simulate evapotranspiration, CWRs, irrigation scheduling, and deficit irrigation for a variety of crops under different climatic conditions (Song et al. 2015; Surendran et al. 2015; Gabr 2023). Gabr & Fattouh (2021) state that crop water demand modeling methods calculate effective rainfall, reference evapotranspiration, crop evapotranspiration, net irrigation water requirement, gross irrigation water requirement, irrigation scheduling, and crop growth. Surendran et al. (2015) argued that irrigation schedule recommendations for different crops should be location-specific, taking into account soil types and agro-ecological conditions. Kar & Verma et al. (2005) found that proper irrigation scheduling can boost field crop water productivity by either matching crop evapotranspiration or delivering irrigation during important growth stages. Gabr (2022) discovered that improved water management should be designed to maximize irrigation efficiency and generate crops that demand less water.

Northeast India accounts for more than 40% of the country's total water resources or around 60 million hectares (Samuel & Satapathy 2008). Nagaland has an abundance of fertile land, different agroclimatic conditions, organic agriculture, and a rich biodiversity, including agro-biodiversity. In terms of employment and livelihood, the agricultural sector employs the vast majority of the state's rural population. However, as evidenced by the observations, natural resources are degrading, and climate change adds to the difficulty by making climate-dependent resources such as water, agriculture, and forests, as well as their output and linked livelihoods, more vulnerable. In Nagaland, altitude fluctuation is one of the most important variables influencing weather and climate conditions. The state is divided into four agroclimatic zones: high hills, low hills, foothills, and plains. Soils, crops, rainfall, and biodiversity all differ between these zones. Under such situations, efficient utilization of natural resources for maintaining agricultural sustainability to improve the livelihood of farmers in hilly regions becomes a challenging task. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 seeks long-term solutions to end all types of hunger by 2030 and ensure food security. This includes increasing small-scale farmers' productivity and incomes through equal access to land, technology, and markets, as well as supporting sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices. The Nagaland State Government is implementing centrally sponsored development schemes such as the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture and the National Food Security Mission, which aim to improve agricultural productivity, as well as schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), which aims to improve water use efficiency, bring more area under cultivation, and provide assured irrigation to increase crop productivity and farmers' livelihoods. The government is playing an important role by taking all necessary steps to reduce poverty in all forms in the state, as well as to eliminate hunger and malnutrition. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, exacerbated water management issues, and reducing agricultural production and food security in the hilly state of Nagaland, drawing attention to SDG 13's call for urgent action to combat climate change and its effects on agriculture, water, and other sectors. Climate change has a substantial impact on water supplies in a particular place. Several studies have been conducted to determine the fluctuations in reference evapotranspiration and crop water demand values caused by changes in meteorological elements such as temperature and precipitation (El-Rawy et al. 2023; Gabr 2023). The state intends to fulfill its SDG by taking a path that allows it to conserve its natural resources while maintaining livelihood security, food security, and the state's long-term economic development.

The state of Nagaland receives 1,700–2,500 mm of rainfall on average per year; however, because of its extremely uneven temporal distribution, there is a 5–6-month dry season. The state's agricultural productivity depends heavily on rainfall. The absence of consistent precipitation throughout the arid months significantly restricts agricultural methods, leading to water stress in many crops and hindering their maximum development and yield. Efficient water management is essential for boosting crop productivity, encouraging agricultural development, enhancing the rural economy, and improving the quality of life because agriculture plays a significant role in the economy and the livelihoods of its people (Laouisset & Dellal 2016).

Given the existing knowledge gap in Nagaland about agricultural water requirements and irrigation scheduling, the current studies used agroclimatic data and the CROPWAT 8.0 model to project irrigation water demands and create irrigation schedules for major crops in Kohima, Nagaland. It is critical to calculate the water requirements of various farming systems across different locations and develop location-specific irrigation schedules for different crops while taking soil types and agro-ecological factors into account (Feng et al. 2007; Vozhehova et al. 2018; Aravind et al. 2021; Alotaibi et al. 2023). This research will encourage the sustainable use of water resources for agricultural growth in Nagaland, thereby contributing to food security and economic success in the region. The study's aims were to (a) estimate agricultural water requirements of chosen crops in Nagaland's Kohima district using the CROPWAT 8.0 model and (b) calculate irrigation requirements and produce an irrigation schedule for the selected crops in Kohima district.

Kohima district, located in northeastern India between 25.67° North Latitude and 94.10° East Longitude, exemplifies Nagaland's rich cultural legacy and natural beauty in a humid subtropical climate. This 1,207 km² area is a fascinating combination of history, geography, and cultural significance. Kohima district's steep environment, at an elevation of 1,444 m above sea level, creates a distinct climate profile with obvious seasonal fluctuations. This unique terrain has had an impact on agricultural practices, local ecosystems, and the overall way of life.

Agriculture is essential to Kohima district's economy and survival due to its difficult terrain and changing environment. The district's largely steep terrain is ideal for terrace farming, a time-honored method that has evolved steadily over the years. Rice, an essential crop with cultural and nutritional value, flourishes as a result of precise hillside terracing. These practices not only provide food but also help prevent soil erosion and improve water management.

The Directorate of Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Nagaland, India, provided data on climate characteristics, soil and crop parameters, and cultivation practices to estimate CWRs. Daily meteorological parameters such as maximum temperature, minimum temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, sunshine hour, and rainfall were obtained over a 16-year period (2006–2021) and used to estimate daily ET₀ and effective rainfall using the CROPWAT 8.0 model. The CROPWAT 8.0 model was used to estimate CWRs and irrigation needs for the selected crops cultivated in the study area using soil and crop parameter input.

FAO's Land and Water Development Division in Italy developed CROPWAT 8.0 to aid with crop irrigation scheduling (Smith 1992). The model calculates ET₀, ET_C, and net irrigation requirement (NIR) to generate irrigation plans for various management scenarios. It can make irrigation recommendations, schedule irrigation, and assess productivity based on soil, meteorological, and crop data (Ewaid et al. 2019; Tewabe & Dessie 2020; Balan & Joseph 2021; Khaydar et al. 2021). CROPWAT 8.0 can also be used to evaluate farmers' irrigation methods and predict crop production in both wet and dry conditions.

The Nagaland Directorate of Agriculture supplied climate data for the previous 16 years (2006–2021). Climate parameters include the daily minimum and maximum temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, sunshine hours, and rainfall. The district experiences three distinct rainy seasons: pre-monsoon, southwest monsoon, and northeast monsoon. The pre-monsoon season runs from the last week of April until the end of May. The southwest monsoon season normally begins in the first week of June and lasts until September. The northeast monsoon occurs from the second half of October until the end of November. Between April and September, the majority of the rain falls in the 1,600 mm range. Normally, no rain falls in December; however, rainfall is quite low from January to March, and temperatures gradually drop from October onward. The lowest temperature is usually around 8 °C, and the highest is 26 °C.

The crop and soil characteristics were obtained from the Nagaland Directorate of Agriculture and Horticulture. Rice, maize, ginger, soybean, bean (dry), potato, cabbage, and naga chili were selected as essential crops for the study. Rooting depth, crop coefficient, and growth stage were all important considerations. Clay and loamy soils are widespread in the Kohima district of Nagaland. Table 1 shows crop coefficient (K_C) values, planting dates, growth stages, and root depth for important crops, while Table 2 lists the area under major crops and average production in the Kohima district.

The effective rainfall in the CROPWAT 8.0 model was calculated using the USDA SCA's suggested technique (Memon & Jamsa 2018). Using this method, Equations (3) and (4) were used to determine monthly effective rainfall.

• 1.
  When total rainfall is <250 mm, effective rainfall is given by

  

  (3)
• 2.
  When total rainfall is >250 mm, effective rainfall is given by

  

  (4)

Irrigation scheduling involves determining how much and when to apply water to a field (Moseki et al. 2019). Only 40–60% of the water is used efficiently by the crop; the rest is lost in the system or on the farm due to evaporation, runoff, or percolation into groundwater (Thimme Gowda et al. 2013). Irrigation scheduling guarantees that water is always available to the plant and distributed in accordance with crop requirements (Soomro et al. 2023). To schedule irrigation using CROPWAT, consider irrigation time, irrigation at 100% critical depletion, irrigation at set intervals per stage, and irrigation application type, as well as refilling soil moisture content to 100% field capacity (Suryadi et al. 2019). To establish the irrigation schedule in this study, the NIR and GIR were determined using the CROPWAT model at 70% efficiency.

The mean monthly evapotranspiration (2006–2021) in mm was calculated using the daily scale ET₀ value, which is shown in Table 3. The region's ET₀ was found to be highest in July at a rate of 3.65 mm/day, followed by April at a rate of 3.64 mm/day. The lowest ET₀ occurred in January (1.41 mm/day).

Table 4 shows the annual actual evapotranspiration (ET_C) and NIR of selected crops grown in Kohima district of Nagaland. The total CWR of rice, maize, ginger, soybean, bean (dry), potato, cabbage, and naga chili for the years 2006–2021 was calculated to be 537.1, 305.7, 342.7, 292.2, 288.1, 364.3, 190.6, and 141 mm, respectively, for total growth periods of 150, 125, 245, 135, 95, 105, 120, and 200 days. The total NIR of rice, maize, ginger, soybean, bean (dry), potato, cabbage, and naga chili was 251.7, 54.9, 26, 73.1, 21.3, 1.9, 121.9, and 14.5 mm respectively. The high CWR was caused by a lack of effective rainfall, which was necessary to restore the soil. Therefore, more irrigation water must be delivered to fulfill the crop's irrigation demands. Furthermore, CWRs vary depending on the stage of development. The CROPWAT data revealed that the amount of effective rainfall had a large influence on ET₀ value. As a result, ET₀ during the rainy season was lower than the predicted ET₀ during the dry or water deficiency season. Others have reached the same conclusion in their studies. The difference between GIR and NIR represents field irrigation losses. The variance in monthly water requirement is explained by differences in crop growth phases, crop coefficients, and cropping area (Djaman & Irmak 2013; Khaydar et al. 2021). Thus, it has been deemed essential to create a water management strategy based on agricultural requirements to maximize crop yields while protecting water supplies.

The x-axis of the graphs represents the time frame, while the y-axis quantifies the values of the parameters in mm. The ET_C bar shows the water needs of each crop over time, reflecting the amount of water lost through both evaporation and transpiration processes. Peaks in the ET_C correspond to periods of high water demand, typically aligning with the crop's critical growth stages. The effective rainfall bar demonstrates the contribution of natural precipitation to the crop's water requirements. The irrigation requirement bar signifies the gap between the ET_C and effective rainfall. Such insights empower farmers to allocate water resources judiciously, maximizing yield while conserving water.

Table 5 shows the irrigation scheduling approach for rice, maize, ginger, soybean, bean (dry), potato, cabbage, and naga chili during their growth stages. Scheduling data provided the total count of irrigation applications required for each crop at each stage of growth. The timetable called for irrigating the crops at crucial moisture levels in the soil to fill them to field capacity.

For rice cultivation, a well-thought-out irrigation schedule involves watering on specific days. This includes irrigation events on 19, 9, and 5 days before planting, as well as 5 and 67 days after planting. The cumulative net irrigation for rice cultivation is estimated at 348.4 mm. Moving on to maize cultivation, the focus shifts to post-germination irrigation. Maize requires irrigation on 42, 52, 60, 70, 82, and 92 days after germination. This sequence corresponds to net irrigation amounts of 38.9, 36.5, 36.4, 37.2, 41.3, and 39.2 mm, respectively. The total gross irrigation for maize is estimated at 229.5 mm. For soybean crops, a well-timed irrigation approach involves watering on the 41 and 68 days after planting. This schedule ensures optimal growth with net irrigation amounts of 78.8 and 80.2 mm, respectively. The overall gross irrigation for soybean cultivation is estimated at 227.1 mm. Moving forward to dry bean cultivation, irrigation is focused on a single instance – specifically, 55 days after planting. This targeted approach entails a net irrigation of 59 mm and a gross irrigation of 84.3 mm. Potato cultivation, however, requires irrigation on multiple occasions after planting. The schedule includes irrigating on the 18, 39, 57, 70, 89, and 109 days. The net irrigation amounts for these intervals are 15.9, 22.1, 26.1, 26.3, 26, and 29.2 mm, respectively. The cumulative gross irrigation for potato cultivation is estimated at 208.1 mm. Moving to cabbage cultivation, a thoughtful irrigation strategy involves watering on the 22, 44, 70, and 96 days after planting. These irrigation events correspond to net irrigation amounts of 27.8, 35.9, 36.8, and 36.3 mm, respectively. The total gross irrigation for cabbage cultivation is estimated at 195.4 mm. It is important to note that naga chili crops do not necessitate extra irrigation due to the availability of effective rainfall.

Rice being the staple food in the region of Nagaland and requiring large amount of water, a few suggested water-saving rice cultivation techniques would be useful for increasing the water use efficiency and increasing productivity. The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) method, which allows the rice field to dry for a few days between irrigation operations, is the most extensively used water-saving approach in rice production. AWD methods are ones that lowland (paddy) rice farmers in the hilly area of Kohima can utilize to reduce water use in irrigated fields. The government is also supporting a system of rice intensification, in which fields are kept unflooded and the soil thoroughly aerated throughout the vegetative development phase, while just a small amount of water is retained on the field during the reproductive growth phase. Aerobic rice can also be practiced in areas where there is a high potential for water conservation. The CROPWAT 8.0 model did not assign any irrigation dates during September since there was enough effective water available to fulfill the crop's water demands.

Estimating crop water needs and understanding the irrigation schedule are critical for crop water planning and a region's agricultural sustainability. The CWR, NIR, and GIR of rice, maize, ginger, soybean, bean (dry), potato, cabbage, and naga chili were assessed using CROPWAT 8.0 in Nagaland's Kohima area. The model was also used to plan irrigation. Effective irrigation scheduling that is tailored to the growth stages of each crop is critical for generating maximum yields. Properly timed irrigation is critical to the overall success of these agricultural endeavors. The cropping pattern of the northeast hill region is distinct from the rest of the country's plain topography. Rice and maize are key foods for feeding people. The following crop combinations are suitable for the Nagaland region: rice, maize, and potato crop combinations; rice, maize, and vegetable crop combinations; and rice, maize, and oil seed crop combinations. The study's findings can be used to develop water-saving techniques like irrigation timing and efficient water use during times of scarcity. Using this knowledge, a thorough irrigation schedule plan may be developed to estimate the irrigation need for the other crops grown in the region, resulting in a higher productivity output.

The authors would like to acknowledge the Directorate of Agriculture and Horticulture, Nagaland, India, for providing meteorological, crop, and soil data for this study. The authors would like to thank the officials at the College of Agricultural Engineering and Post Harvest Technology (Central Agricultural University), Gangtok, Sikkim, India, for providing laboratory space and permission to perform the research.

All relevant data are included in the paper or its Supplementary Information.

The authors declare there is no conflict.