Mid-Season Corrections for Aberrant Weather Conditions
Introduction
- In dryland/rainfed farming, crop growth is often affected by aberrant weather conditions such as delayed onset of monsoon, prolonged dry spells, excess rainfall, or early withdrawal. These situations cause moisture stress, poor crop stand, or crop failure.
- Mid-season corrections are adaptive measures taken during the crop season to minimize yield loss and stabilize production under such weather uncertainties.
Types of Aberrant Weather Situations & Mid-Season Corrections
(i) Delayed Onset of Monsoon
- Problem: Late sowing, shortened crop season, poor germination.
- Corrections:
- Use short-duration or drought-tolerant varieties (e.g., short-duration pulses, millets, sesame).
- Opt for direct-seeded crops instead of transplanted ones (e.g., direct seeding of rice).
- Intercropping systems (e.g., pearl millet + pigeon pea) instead of sole crops.
- Dry seeding with first pre-monsoon showers.
(ii) Early Withdrawal of Monsoon
- Problem: Moisture stress during reproductive/maturity stage.
- Corrections:
- Early harvesting for fodder or grain (salvage crops).
- Life-saving irrigation from farm ponds or harvested water.
- Mulching to conserve residual soil moisture.
- Introduction of relay cropping (e.g., sowing chickpea in standing rice before harvest).
(iii) Prolonged Mid-Season Drought (Dry Spells after Sowing)
- Problem: Crop wilting, mortality, flower drop.
- Corrections:
- Thinning of plant population to reduce competition for soil moisture.
- Inter-cultivation (hoe/weeding) → creates soil mulch to reduce evaporation.
- Mulching with crop residues, straw, or polythene sheets.
- Fertilizer adjustment: Avoid top-dressing nitrogen until adequate rainfall.
- Foliar sprays of nutrients:
- 2% urea or DAP solution.
- 1% KCl or K₂SO₄ spray to reduce stress.
- If crop fails → resowing with contingency crops (short-duration pulses, fodder crops).
(iv) Excess Rainfall / Flooding
- Problem: Waterlogging, nutrient leaching, crop damage.
- Corrections:
- Drainage of excess water through field channels.
- Gap filling with same or short-duration crops after water recedes.
- Fertilizer application (top dressing with N after leaching).
- Use of foliar nutrient sprays (urea, micronutrients).
- Grow fodder crops (maize, sorghum, cowpea) in damaged areas.
(v) Prolonged Breaks in Rainfall During Flowering/Grain Filling
- Problem: Severe yield reduction due to moisture stress.
- Corrections:
- Life-saving irrigation (if possible) from harvested rainwater.
- Antitranspirant sprays (Kaolin 5%, PMA, or liquid paraffin).
- Foliar nutrition to sustain crops.
- Harvest crop early for fodder in extreme cases.
(vi) Terminal Drought
- Problem: Moisture stress at maturity → shriveled grains, poor yield.
- Corrections:
- Early harvesting for fodder/grain salvage.
- Mulching to conserve terminal soil moisture.
- Use of short-duration contingency crops in next season (mustard, chickpea, lentil).
Specific Mid-Season Agronomic Practices
Practice |
Purpose |
Thinning of crop stand |
Reduce competition under limited moisture |
Mulching (organic/plastic/dust) |
Reduce evaporation, conserve soil moisture |
Inter-cultivation (hoe/harrow) |
Create soil mulch, break capillaries |
Gap filling/resowing |
Maintain optimum crop stand |
Life-saving irrigation |
Prevent crop failure during stress |
Foliar sprays (2% urea, KCl, DAP) |
Supply nutrients when soil uptake is restricted |
Antitranspirants (Kaolin, PMA) |
Reduce transpiration losses |
Salvage cropping |
Replace failed crops with short-duration alternatives |
Drainage |
Reduce waterlogging and restore aeration after heavy rains |