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The climatological distribution of heat and cold waves of two important agro-climatic zones zone-I (North Alluvial Plain), zone-II (North East Alluvial Plain) of the middle Indo-Gangetic Basin of Bihar state of India was analyzed. We used series of daily maximum and minimum temperature data from 1969-2015 of five stations. Results reveal that zone-I and zone-II experienced 248/184 and 275/199average number of heat and cold events, respectively. The trend analysis exhibited almost similar results for both the zones. The zone-I experienced on an average 4.22 and 7.22 heat and cold wave days per season (hot & cold weather period), respectively. There was a non-significant increasing trend @ +0.04/year for heat waves and significant decreasing trend for cold waves (-0.13/year). Zone-II on an average experienced 3 and 12 HW and CW events per season (hot and cold weather period), respectively. In this zone, heat waves were found to be increasing @ +0.11/year, whereas, significant decreasing trend was found for cold waves (+0.32/year). Study also revealed that, heat waves were more frequent and longer in June and May in zone-I and zone-II, respectively. Whereas, cold waves were more freq uent and longer in January for both the zones. These extreme events have profound impact on wheat crop if coincides with its critical stages. However, shifting planting dates and adoption of heat tolerant varieties may help in minimizing the negative impact of these extreme events.

Background: Potassium (K) availability in soil and plant uptake is restrained by the dynamic interactions among the different pools of K. Aims: To understand these interactions, a study was undertaken to assess the quantity–intensity (Q/I) and buffering characteristics of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) growing soils. Ten contrasting soils were evaluated for K partitioning changes in exchangeable K (ΔEK) and non‐exchangeable K (ΔNEK) pools in the soil‐solution phase and buffering characteristics using a modified version of Q/I approach. Results: The partitioned Q/I isotherms showed strong adsorption with the increase in K concentration ratio (CRᴷ) and the changes due to ΔEK were higher than changes due to ΔNEK. Total buffering capacity (PBCᴷ) significantly correlated (r = 0.92, p

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the trends and variability in extreme temperature indices. We examined climatological distribution of heat and cold waves of two important agro-climatic zones (South Bihar Alluvial Zone-IIIA and B), which is part of the middle Indo-Gangetic Basin and comprising 17 densely populated (1108 persons/km 2) districts of Bihar state. We used series of daily maximum and minimum temperature data from 1969 to 2013 of seven stations to calculate temperature indices, from which the trend, occurrence, duration and severity of heat and cold waves were estimated. Results revealed that, in a period of 45 years, zone-IIIA and B has experienced 251/182 and 337/140 average number of heat and cold events, respectively. Although the zone-IIIA on average is experiencing ≥8 heat and cold wave days per season, both these high frequency temperature extremes are decreasing at the rate 0.15 and 0.17 per year, respectively, with significance at 95% confidence level. Zone-IIIB on average is experiencing ≤5 heat and cold days per season, but heat waves have been found increasing at the rate 0.11 per year, whereas, a non-significant decreasing rate of 0.04/year was observed in cold waves. The study also inferred that heat waves of the month of May in zone-IIIA and of June in zone-IIIB are more frequent, hotter and longer than other months of hot weather period under study, whereas, the cold waves of month January are more frequent and longer, in both zones.

India exhibits a variety of land scopes and climatic conditions those are reflected in the evolution of different soils and vegetation. These also exists a significant relationship among the soils, land form climate and vegetation. Regions are delineated such that each one is as uniform as possible with respect to physiographic, climate, length of growing period (LGP) and soils for macro level and land use planning and effective transfer of agro-technology. Various Agro Climatic Zones of India according to the planning commission of India have been explained along with the classification by Indian Council of Agricultural Research. A section on Agro-ecological Zones of India has been included. The chapter also introduces the Agro-Climatic zones of Jammu and Kashmir and the Micro Agro-Climatic zones of the state. The State of Jammu and Kashmir is located almost in the middle of three climatic regimes of Asia. The chapter introduces the Agro-Climatic zones of Jammu and Kashmir based on physiography. Each province of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been further delineated into micro agro-climatic zones which have been discussed.