🌱 Summer Crop Management

In India, summer farming is becoming an important source of extra income for farmers. After harvesting Rabi crops and before sowing Kharif crops, farmers get some free time in which they can grow different types of crops and increase their income.

But during the summer season, the temperature keeps increasing, water shortage remains a problem, and maintaining moisture in the soil becomes difficult. At such a time, proper “Summer Crop Management” becomes very important.

According to experts, if farmers follow scientific methods for irrigation, soil management, crop selection, moisture conservation, and nutrient management, then better production can be achieved even with less water.

1.🌾 Importance of Summer Crops

Farming during the summer season is considered very important for farmers because leaving fields empty causes losses. Experts said that if farmers follow proper scientific methods, they can successfully do farming even in summer.

In this season, farmers can take three crops instead of two and earn extra income. This is also called crop intensification and crop diversification.

2. ☀️ Main Challenges of Summer Season

The biggest challenge in summer farming is water shortage and increasing temperature.

⚠️ Main Problems

• Rapid increase in temperature
• Water crisis
• High evapotranspiration rate
• Less moisture in the soil
• Difficulty in irrigation management
• Salinity problem in soil in some areas

Experts said that due to climate change, uncertain weather has also become a major challenge. Sometimes rain, storms, and strong winds are seen during March and April.

3. 🌱 Which Crops Should Be Grown in Summer Season

Experts suggested many crops as good options for the summer season.

🌿 Pulse Crops

• Moong
• Urad

🌻 Oilseed Crops

• Sunflower
• Sesame
• Groundnut

🌽 Other Crops

• Maize
• Bajra
• Fodder crops
• Cucurbit vegetables

Experts said that farmers should select good short-duration varieties and choose crops according to their region.

4.💧 Why Irrigation Management is Important

Water is considered the most important factor for summer crops. In summer, the water requirement of crops increases because the evapotranspiration rate remains high.

Experts said that farmers should grow summer crops only if they have a proper and reliable water source available.

5. 🚜 Do Sowing After Pre-Irrigation

It is advised to sow summer crops after giving pre-irrigation (Paleva). This helps maintain enough moisture in the soil and gives a good start to the crop.

After this, the farmer should delay the first irrigation as much as possible. Generally, after the first irrigation, watering is required at an interval of 15 to 20 days.

🌆 Why Irrigation Should Be Done in the Evening

Experts advised that during summer, irrigation should be done after 4 PM in the evening.

✅ Benefits of Evening Irrigation

• Evapotranspiration becomes less
• Water is saved
• Temperature decreases slowly
• Better water absorption by roots
• Wilting problem in crops becomes less

Especially in pulse crops like Moong and Urad, irrigation during daytime has been found to cause drying problems in plants.

6. 🌿 How to Do Moisture Conservation

Moisture conservation is considered the most important management practice in summer crops.

💦 Methods of Moisture Conservation

• Keep crop residues in the field
• Do covering of the field
• Do mulching
• Increase organic carbon in the soil
• Do sowing after pre-irrigation (Paleva)

Experts said that when the field is covered with wheat straw or straw of other crops, soil moisture remains for a longer time.

7. 🧪 Why Soil Testing is Important

Experts said that soil testing is very important.

🌍 Main Types of Soil

🖤 Heavy Soil

• High water holding capacity
• Water remains for a long time

🟤 Light Soil

• Water goes down quickly
• Low water holding capacity

🌾 Loamy Soil

• Considered balanced soil

After knowing the soil information, the farmer can control the quantity of irrigation and can select the right crop.

8. 🍃 Importance of Organic Carbon

Experts said that if the amount of organic carbon in the soil is good, then:

• Water holding capacity increases
• Soil quality improves
• Moisture remains for a longer time

9. 🔄 Why Crop Diversification is Important

Growing different crops instead of taking the same crop continuously is called crop diversification.

According to experts:

• It keeps the soil better
• It benefits the environment
• It increases soil fertility
• Production becomes better

10. 🌾 Importance of Green Manure

Experts advised using Dhaincha, Sanai, and pulse crops as green manure.

✅ Benefits of Green Manure

• Soil improves quickly
• Organic elements increase
• Field becomes ready for the next crop
• Soil fertility increases

11. 🚜 Why Deep Ploughing is Important

During the summer season, deep ploughing is advised in the months of May and June.

✅ Benefits

• Weeds get destroyed
• Eggs of insects get destroyed
• Effect of fungus becomes less
• Field becomes ready for the next crop

12. ☀️ What is Soil Solarization

Experts also mentioned soil solarization.

In this method:

• First, water is given to the field
• Then the field is covered with a polythene sheet

✅ Benefits

• Weed seeds get destroyed
• Soil condition becomes better

13. 🌱 Weed Control

Experts said that Doob grass and Motha are dangerous weeds.

⚠️ Methods of Control

• Control weeds when the field is empty
• Do covering of the field
• Do deep ploughing
• Keep the field covered for a long time

14. 🌿 Irrigation Management in Moong Crop

Experts said that the duration of Moong crop is around 65 days.

💧 Irrigation Management

• Do sowing after pre-irrigation (Paleva)
• Give first irrigation after about 20 days
• After that, do irrigation at intervals of 10 to 15 days
• There should not be moisture shortage during flowering to pod formation stage
• Moisture is also necessary during grain filling stage

15. 🐛 Pest Management in Moong and Urad

During the summer season, fungal diseases are seen less, but some insects can create problems.

⚠️ Main Problems

• Yellow Mosaic Virus
• Sucking insects
• Cutting insects
• Thrips
• Aphids

Experts advised seed treatment and timely monitoring.

16. 💦 Advanced Irrigation Techniques

Experts stressed adopting modern irrigation techniques.

🚿 Sprinkler Irrigation

• Water saving
• Higher efficiency

💧 Drip Irrigation

• Water reaches directly to the roots
• Irrigation is possible with less water

🌱 Subsurface Irrigation

• Water is supplied inside the soil up to the root zone
• Evapotranspiration becomes less
• Higher efficiency is achieved
• A lot of water is saved

17. 🏛️ Government Support for Small Farmers

Experts said that the government is promoting advanced irrigation techniques.

Farmers can get information about schemes by contacting:

• District Agriculture Officer
• District Horticulture Officer
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra

18. 👨‍🌾 Important Suggestions for Farmer Brothers

• Grow summer crops only if irrigation facility is available
• Must get soil testing done
• Do irrigation in the evening
• Do sowing after pre-irrigation (Paleva)
• Do not burn crop residues
• Do mulching and field covering
• Adopt crop diversification
• Use green manure
• Use modern irrigation techniques
• Do pest management on time

19. ❌ Common Mistakes

⚠️ Avoid These Mistakes

• Doing farming without a water source
• Doing irrigation during daytime
• Leaving the field empty
• Taking the same crop continuously
• Giving excess water
• Not doing soil testing
• Burning crop residues
• Delaying pest control

20. ❓ FAQs

1️⃣ What is the most important factor in summer crops?

Water management is considered the most important factor in summer crops.

2️⃣ Which crops can be grown during the summer season?

Moong, Urad, Sunflower, Sesame, Groundnut, Maize, Bajra, and Cucurbit vegetables can be grown.

3️⃣ When should irrigation be done in summer?

According to experts, doing irrigation after 4 PM in the evening is considered more beneficial.

4️⃣ What are the benefits of mulching?

Mulching helps maintain moisture in the soil and reduces the effect of temperature.

5️⃣ Why is green manure important?

Green manure helps in increasing soil fertility and improving soil quality.

✅ Conclusion

Summer farming can become a good source of extra income for farmers, but for this, proper “Summer Crop Management” is necessary.

If farmers use irrigation management, soil improvement, moisture conservation, green manure, crop diversification, and modern techniques, then better production can be achieved even with less water.

Experts clearly said that by adopting scientific methods, farmers can reduce their costs and increase both production and income.

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👉 Reference