PRODUCTIVITY AND WATER-USE EFFICIENCY OF RAINY-SEASON CROPS UNDER DIFFERENT DATES OF SOWING

The field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 1986 and 19 87 to find out the influence of date of sowing on productivity and wat er-use efficiency of rainy-season crops. The sowing of rainy-season cr ops, on 15 June and immediately after the receipt of monsoon rains pro ved significanly superior to their delayed sowings. The preference of crops in order of priority was pigeonpea [Cajan- cajan (L.) Millsp.], castor (Ricinus communis L.), pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. emend. Stuntz] and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) for late-sown conditions. The moisture use of all the rainy-season crops sown on 15 June was significantly higher than those sown later. Groundunt (Arachi s hypogaea L.) utilized the highest soil moisture and it was significa ntly superior to other crops. Sowing of rainy-season crops on 15 June (dry sowing), immediately after receipt of monsoon, and 15 days after the onset of monsoon recorded significantly higher moisture-use effici ency than delayed sowing. Groundnut recorded the highest moisture-use efficiency, followed by sunflower and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.).