General Cultural Practices for Kharif Crops

Land Preparation:

• • Ploughing: Deep ploughing is done to remove weeds, improve soil aeration, and prepare the seedbed.
  • Leveling: Ensures uniform irrigation and prevents water stagnation.
  • Manuring: Application of well-decomposed farmyard manure (FYM) or compost improves soil fertility.

Seed Selection and Treatment:

• • Certified Seeds: Use disease-resistant and high-yielding varieties.
  • Seed Treatment: Seeds are treated with fungicides (e.g., Captan) or biofertilizers (e.g., Rhizobium for legumes) to prevent diseases and improve nodulation.

Sowing:

• • Time of Sowing: Early sowing at the onset of monsoon ensures better yields.
  • Spacing: Crop-specific spacing is maintained to prevent competition for nutrients, sunlight, and water.
  • Depth: Seeds are sown at the recommended depth for each crop to ensure proper germination.

Nutrient Management:

• • Basal Application: NPK fertilizers are applied during sowing.
  • Top Dressing: Additional nitrogen is applied at critical growth stages for crops like rice and maize.

Irrigation: Though rain-fed, supplementary irrigation is essential during dry spells or critical growth stages such as flowering and grain filling.

Weed Management: Manual weeding or herbicide application ensures reduced competition for resources.

Pest and Disease Management: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques such as crop rotation, resistant varieties, and biological control are employed. Chemical pesticides are used judiciously to control severe infestations.

Harvesting: Timely harvesting ensures maximum yield and prevents post-harvest losses due to shattering or pest attacks.

Crop-Specific Cultural Practices and Yield

1. Rice (Oryza sativa)

• Sowing Method: Direct seeding or transplanting.
• Spacing: 15–20 cm between rows, 10–15 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 120:60:40 kg NPK/ha; nitrogen in split doses.
• Irrigation: Continuous waterlogging or alternate wetting and drying.
• Yield: 3.5–4.5 tons/ha (rain-fed); 6–7 tons/ha (irrigated).

2. Maize (Zea mays)

• Sowing Method: Line sowing or broadcasting.
• Spacing: 60–75 cm between rows, 20–25 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 150:60:40 kg NPK/ha; nitrogen in two splits.
• Irrigation: Requires 4–5 irrigations during critical stages.
• Yield: 2.5–3 tons/ha (rain-fed); 4–6 tons/ha (irrigated).

3. Cotton (Gossypium spp.)

• Sowing Method: Dibbling or row planting.
• Spacing: 90–120 cm between rows, 45–60 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 80:40:40 kg NPK/ha; additional nitrogen during flowering.
• Irrigation: 6–7 irrigations during critical stages.
• Yield: 1.5–2 tons/ha.

4. Pulses (Pigeon Pea, Green Gram, Black Gram)

• Sowing Method: Line sowing or broadcasting.
• Spacing: 30–45 cm between rows, 10–20 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 20:40:20 kg NPK/ha; Rhizobium inoculation for nitrogen fixation.
• Irrigation: Minimal; drought-tolerant.
• Yield: 0.8–1.2 tons/ha.

5. Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

• Sowing Method: Line sowing.
• Spacing: 30–45 cm between rows, 10–15 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 20:40:20 kg NPK/ha; gypsum application at pod formation.
• Irrigation: 4–5 irrigations during pegging and pod development.
• Yield: 1.5–2 tons/ha.

6. Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

• Planting Method: Ratooning or trench planting.
• Spacing: 75–90 cm between rows.
• Fertilizer: 250:125:125 kg NPK/ha in split doses.
• Irrigation: 15–20 irrigations; critical at formative and grand growth stages.
• Yield: 80–100 tons/ha.

7. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

• Sowing Method: Line sowing.
• Spacing: 45–60 cm between rows, 10–15 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 60:30:30 kg NPK/ha.
• Irrigation: Drought-tolerant; irrigation during flowering increases yield.
• Yield: 2.5–3 tons/ha.

8. Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum)

• Sowing Method: Line sowing or broadcasting.
• Spacing: 50–60 cm between rows, 10–15 cm between plants.
• Fertilizer: 40:20:20 kg NPK/ha.
• Irrigation: Requires 2–3 irrigations.
• Yield: 1.2–1.5 tons/ha.

9. Jute (Corchorus spp.)

• Sowing Method: Broadcasting or line sowing.
• Spacing: 20–25 cm between rows.
• Fertilizer: 40:20:20 kg NPK/ha.
• Irrigation: Requires frequent irrigation in dry spells.
• Yield: 2.5–3 tons/ha (fibre).