Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID)

 Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID)

Index Name: Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID)

Ease of use: Red

Origins: The ARID was based upon research done in the southeast United States by P. Woli at Mississippi State University and J.W. Jones, K.T. Ingram and C.W. Fraisse from the University of Florida in 2011. The research appeared in Agronomy Journal in March 2012.

Characteristics: The ARID predicts the status of moisture availability in the soil. It uses a combination of water stress approximations and crop models to identify the impact on of water stress on plant growth, development and yield for specific crops.

Input parameters: Daily temperature and precipitation data are needed. The CERES-Maize model was also used, but other crop simulations models could be used.

Applications: Used in identifying and predicting agricultural drought.

Strengths: Crop models and water balance methods proved to be useful in predicting soil moisture and subsequent stress to crops. Can be computed daily so reaction times to drought will be fast.

Weaknesses: Designed and tested in the southeast United States for only a few cropping systems. Not easily transferable.

Resources: The equations and the methodology used are explained in the referenced article. No source code is publicly available.

References: Woli, P., Jones, J.W., Ingram, K.T. and Fraisse, C.W. (2012). Agricultural Reference Index for Drought (ARID). Agronomy Journal 104: 287–300. DOI: 10.2134/agronj2011.0286. (For more information on this publication, please contact the IDMP HelpDesk).

Currently used by: Switzerland.