Streamflow of the Betwa River under the Combined Effect of LU-LC and Climate Change

We estimate the combined effect of climate and landuse-landcover (LU-LC) change on the streamflow of the Betwa River; a semi-arid catchment in Central India. We have used the observed and future bias-corrected climatic datasets from 1980–2100. To assess the LU-LC change in the catchment, we have processed and classified the Landsat satellite images from 1990–2020. We have used Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based Cellular Automata (CA) model to simulate the future LU-LC. Further, we coupled the observed and projected LU-LC and climatic variables in the SWAT (Soil and water assessment tool) model to simulate the streamflow of the Betwa River. In doing so, we have setup this model for the observed (1980–2000 and 2001–2020) and projected (2023–2060 and 2061–2100) time periods by using the LU-LC of the years 1990, 2018, and 2040, 2070, respectively. We observed that the combined effect of climate and LU-LC change resulted in the reduction in the mean monsoon stream flow of the Betwa River by 16% during 2001–2020 as compared to 1982–2000. In all four CMIP6 climatic scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP370, and SSP585), the mean monsoon stream flow is expected to decrease by 39–47% and 31–47% during 2023–2060 and 2061–2100, respectively as compared to the observed time period 1982–2020. Furthermore, average monsoon rainfall in the catchment will decrease by 30–35% during 2023–2060 and 23–30% during 2061–2100 with respect to 1982–2020

Assessing the performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop by managing irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer under a semi-arid environment

Understanding the linkage between crop yields, irrigation frequencies, and fertilizer rates is crucial in region-specific agriculture practices. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of nitrogen fertilizer rates and irrigation frequency on wheat crop growth and yield in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments with 4 replicas, combining 4 nitrogen fertilizers quantities (0%, 50%, 100%, and 125% of recommended dose) with 3 irrigation intervals (15, 21, and 25 days after sowing) were used for three consecutive years (2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17). Crop responses were recorded for different growth stages. One-way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference tests were applied to determine significant changes in yield. The results showed that the high irrigation frequency and high fertilizer application significantly increased crop growth and yields. Yields observed in the first year of the experiment were higher than those in the second and third years in most treatments. The results showed that water and fertilizer are the key factors that can affect wheat yield in the semi- arid region of Rajasthan and should be managed according to soil and irrigation availability. HIGHLIGHTS Linkage between fertilizer rates and irrigation frequency analyzed in a semi-arid environment using wheat crop.; Twelve treatments with four replicas set up in the experimental field for three different periods.; Root length and shoot length measured after every 20, 40, and 60 days of sowing.; High irrigation frequency and high fertilizer application significantly increased crop growth and yields.

Deciphering Depositional Environment of Playa Lakes Using Grain Size Parameters in the Arid and Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan, India

This study encompasses the grain size distribution of the playa lakes (Pachpadra, Pokhran, and Didwana) of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. The grain size of sediment particles is the most fundamental feature, giving essential information regarding their origin, transport history, and depositional conditions. The aeolian and fluvial transport processes were evaluated through environmentally sensitive grain size subpopulations to identify the differential sedimentary sources and dynamics in the playas. End-member modelling further determined the sediment grain size distribution through statistical analysis. The playa sediments mainly consist of very fine sand (46–54%) and very coarse silt (22–37%). The results show that the average fine fraction of Pachpadra, Pokhran, and Didwana playa was 46.29%, 66.11%, and 66.28%, respectively. In contrast, the average coarser fraction deposition in Pachpadra, Pokhran, and Didwana corresponds to 53.71%, 33.89%, and 33.72%, respectively. This suggests that the playas mostly contain aeolian sediment rather than fluvial sediment transported by dust/sand storms. Additionally, the textural pattern and depositional distribution of the sediments determined through the Passega CM diagram and bivariate plots indicate that 82% of the samples were poorly sorted, and 18% were very poorly sorted. Furthermore, an environmentally sensitive grain size component (ESGSC) was also assessed to identify the spatial variability and transport processes of sediment between these playas. Three ESGSCs in Pokhran (250 µ, 31 µ, and 2 µ) and Pachpadra (125 µ, 31 µ, and 4 µ), while two ESGSCs in Didwana playa (125 µ and 16 µ) were identified, indicating sediment deposition with moderate velocity in a low energy environment with a mixed sediment population transported by aeolian and fluvial activities

Deciphering Depositional Environment of Playa Lakes Using Grain Size Parameters in the Arid and Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan, India

This study encompasses the grain size distribution of the playa lakes (Pachpadra, Pokhran, and Didwana) of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. The grain size of sediment particles is the most fundamental feature, giving essential information regarding their origin, transport history, and depositional conditions. The aeolian and fluvial transport processes were evaluated through environmentally sensitive grain size subpopulations to identify the differential sedimentary sources and dynamics in the playas. End-member modelling further determined the sediment grain size distribution through statistical analysis. The playa sediments mainly consist of very fine sand (46–54%) and very coarse silt (22–37%). The results show that the average fine fraction of Pachpadra, Pokhran, and Didwana playa was 46.29%, 66.11%, and 66.28%, respectively. In contrast, the average coarser fraction deposition in Pachpadra, Pokhran, and Didwana corresponds to 53.71%, 33.89%, and 33.72%, respectively. This suggests that the playas mostly contain aeolian sediment rather than fluvial sediment transported by dust/sand storms. Additionally, the textural pattern and depositional distribution of the sediments determined through the Passega CM diagram and bivariate plots indicate that 82% of the samples were poorly sorted, and 18% were very poorly sorted. Furthermore, an environmentally sensitive grain size component (ESGSC) was also assessed to identify the spatial variability and transport processes of sediment between these playas. Three ESGSCs in Pokhran (250 µ, 31 µ, and 2 µ) and Pachpadra (125 µ, 31 µ, and 4 µ), while two ESGSCs in Didwana playa (125 µ and 16 µ) were identified, indicating sediment deposition with moderate velocity in a low energy environment with a mixed sediment population transported by aeolian and fluvial activities

Hydroclimatic Impact Assessment Using the SWAT Model in India—State of the Art Review

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) has been widely employed to assist with decision making and management planning for assessing and mitigating the impact of climate change. This model has gained popularity in India as the country is facing increasing water issues under projected climate changes. However, a systematic review of the literature that discusses the applicability of the model, the impact assessment process, and the interpretation of the modeling results in India remains lacking. We synthesized and reviewed 110 recent SWAT modeling studies (published from 2012 to 2022) that evaluated the impact of future climate change on water resources in India to identify research gaps that need to be filled to advance SWAT modeling practices for impact assessments. The review revealed that the SWAT model provided acceptable accuracy statistics in most (90%) of the studies reviewed. Half of these studies identified the base curve number (CN2) as the parameter to which the water balance is the most sensitive; thus, this parameter was included in the calibration process. The accuracy of SWAT modeling is closely associated with the accuracy of the weather data fed to the model. However, extreme events, including heavy storm events and severe droughts, were rarely considered in climate change impact assessments using the SWAT model. Most studies downscaled global-scale climate modeling outputs to local weather stations when applying the SWAT model using various methods, such as the delta change method, multiple linear regression method, gamma–gamma transformation, fitted histogram equalization, and quantile mapping. Further, most studies investigated the performance of the SWAT model before applying the model to quantify the future hydrological consequences of projected climate change in a subsequent scenario analysis. This review suggests that further evaluations of the characteristics and development processes of existing climate data products are needed to effectively consider extreme events in impact assessments. In addition, this review finds that climate change impact modeling has been improved with advances in climate projection preparation, including ensemble averaging, bias correction, and downscaling methods. This regional review of current SWAT modeling practices for climate change impact assessments can be used to create reliable future hydrological projections in India

Investigation of Spatio–Temporal Changes in Land Use and Heat Stress Indices over Jaipur City Using Geospatial Techniques

Heat waves are expected to intensify around the globe in the future, with a potential increase in heat stress and heat-induced mortality in the absence of adaptation measures. India has high current exposure to heat waves, and with limited adaptive capacity, impacts of increased heat waves might be quite severe. This paper presents a comparative analysis of urban heat stress/heatwaves by combining temperature and vapour pressure through two heat stress indices, i.e., Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and humidex index. For the years 1970–2000 (historical) and 2041–2060 (future), these two indicators were estimated in Jaipur. Another goal of this research is to better understand Jaipur land use changes and urban growth. For the land use study, Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 8 OLI satellite data from the years 1993, 2010, and 2015 were examined. During the research period, urban settlement increased and the majority of open land is converted to urban settlements. In the coming term, all months except three, namely July to September, have seen an increase in the WBGT index values; however, these months are classified as dangerous. Humidex’s historical value has been 21.4, but in RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, it will rise to 25.5 and 27.3, respectively, and slip into the danger and extreme danger categories. The NDVI and SAVI indices are also used to assess the city’s condition during various periods of heat stress. The findings suggest that people’s discomfort levels will rise in the future, making it difficult for them to work outside and engage in their usual activities

Nutritional Health Multidimensional Locus of Control (HMLC) Instrument for Farming Community: Confirmatory factor analysis

Not AvailableIndia is self-sufficient country in terms of food production. However, it still suffers from nutritional maladies. A prime aspect to understand the issues is to see how farmer's behavior is affected by their locus of control. Nutritional Health Multidimensional Locus of Control has been derived from the premise of Multidimensional health locus of control and locus of control per se. This can be used as an instrument to know the locus and associated factors that can affect the nutritional behavior change especially in context of appropriate agri-nutri interventions. The study was conducted in Odisha and Uttar Pradesh (nutritionally vulnerable areas) .The sample size was 100 farmers selected by simple random sampling technique. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to find the best among A,B and C forms for farmers. Form A with 18 statements was found to be statistically the best one.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAgricultural extension services are under pressure to make greater contributions to agricultural development and progress. Agricultural extension services need human resources who arecompetent.As extensionists are aware of training and educational needs of their team members, it is very important to administer extension activities with competent extensionists. For effective and efficient extension, it is important to know thebarriers towards extension to deliver the required services to farmers in order to empower them. Competencies of extensionistsare vital for work as these are associated to their professional development and skills to communicate. Analysisof skill gap(s) is the key to update extensionists as pe rtheir capability in the field. In the present study, a skill gap analysis using 'Borich Need Assessment Model' was used for the extensionists of KVKs of selected districts of two states viz; of UP and Odisha. The total sample size was 200 for astructured interview schedule used to elicit information from the extensionists. A Mean Weighted Discrepancy Score (MWDS) was calculated to find the gap in skill. This study showed, that 'confidence to work without support and guidance' was of the highest level as a skill gap among extensionists, when new methods in extension work were to be introduced, while consideringpros and con of arguments put up to an extensionist, by a farmer. Lowest mean weighted discrepancy score was given to'Conducting survey in operational area, use of PRA tools and evaluating extension program'. Based on Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process/Method, a lack of upgradation of ICT equipment, emerged as the major institutional barrier. As far as professional barriers are concerned inadequate information about training and training institutes and inadequate funding on emerged as the key barriersto acquire required competencies. Updating skill of extensionists, based on gap(s), owing to the importance of confidence to work without support and guidance in order to deliver required extension information/support to farmers, is very important. As of recent emphasis being given to skill development at the national level, the extensionists must be upgraded in their ICT skill(s). Extensionists with the necessary skills in their job will lead to their better performance which will in turn result in enhanced empowerment of farmers.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableWhile climate change is ravaging our planet, its nutritional health which is going to be hit even harder. Food is going to be more expensive, less nutritious and scarcer. The reduced nutritional quality of important crops could mark the beginning of a looming nutritional health crisis. Climate change is not only reducing yields, but also sapping nutrients from our meals. If climate change is predicted to cut access to nutrients then food and nutritional security is growing concern and we need to understand perceptions and implications of this burning issue for stakeholders especially farmers and extensions. The objective of the study was to develop and validate scales to study these perceptions of farmers and Extensionists regarding impact of climate change on nutrition. The locale selected for the study was from States of Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Odisha due to their nutritional vulnerability status. The sample size constituted of100 farmers from these villages and extensionists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and line departments of the state who were selected by random sampling technique. A total of 69 items were selected from review of literature. These were further reduced to 43 based on expert’s judgments. The items were finally reduced to 16 items for farmers and 24items for extensionists by statistical analysis using Mokken’s Scaling Analysis. Loevinger’s coefficient was calculated for item H (Hi); item pair H (Hij) and for the overall scale (Hs). By this means, and based on the mean scores on items by individuals, a set of items were selected. Items which had Hs>0.4 were selected. These scales can be used by various stakeholders for designing interventions for climate and nutrition smart agriculture. There is a need for agri-nutri education for consumers and farmers, especially the women in India which has a triple burden of malnutrition. Synergies of the climate and nutrition agendas need to be built for human and planet health. The implications are huge. Climate change and agriculture needs to be seen through a nutrition and gender lens for convergence to ensure food and nutritional security.Not Availabl