To simulate soil-water flow in SWAP model, Richards’ equation was solved using an implicit backward finite difference scheme with explicit linearization. It was observed that with increase in bund height runoff decreases. By shifting rice crop growth period by one month, rainfall utilization decreases to the tune of 36 per cent. By reducing the irrigation depth from 7.5 cm to 5 cm in rice, deep percolation reduces, transpiration increases and total irrigation requirement reduces.

Van Genuchten parameters were determined using particle size data from 81 soil series of West Bengal through a pedotransfer model. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, field capacity, wilting point and available water capacity (AWC) were estimated for all the soil series of eastern Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic alluvial plains, Bengal basin , coastal plain and eastern plateau of West Bengal.

Under evaluation of drought tolerant and water-use efficient trials in field crops, 13 wheat varieties were tested under irrigation and non-irrigated control. Grain yield and yield attributes were significantly reduced by water stress in the genotypes. The per cent reduction in mean total dry matter (TDM) for all genotypes was 40.6 percent, whereas grain yield was reduced by 36.1 per cent over control.

The Particle Size Distribution (PSD) model of Arya et al. (1999b) quite reasonably predicted the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of clay, clay loam and loamy textured soils within the studied range of water contents. The predictability of the model can be improved by identifying some physical variables and their interactions that influence the unsaturated flow process considerably.

In litchi cv. Shahi, the time of emergence and girth of second flush, content of carbohydrate and tryptophane in the second flush during October was found as promising criteria for prediction of intensity of panicle emergence under Chotanagpur plateau conditions.