Estimation of Useful Rain for Groundnut Crop (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Saurashtra Region

Abstract

The effect of rainfall distribution on groundnut yield was studied using the concept of “useful rain,” which was determined on a daily basis. The reported groundnut yields at Rajkot, Keshod, Mahuwa, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar in the Saurashtra region were found to be linearly related to useful rainfall. The correlation coefficients (R) between the reported and estimated yields at these locations were 0.696, 0.557, 0.715, 0.666, and 0.849, respectively. The relationship was highly significant for all locations except Keshod, where it was significant. The use of useful rainfall as a parameter in the rainfall–crop yield relationship was found to be better than total rainfall.