Jowar Samachar NRCS CQ.cdr - Directorate of Sorghum Research

Jowar Samachar, Volume 4, No. 1
Broad strategies under different monsoon setting scenarios
Sl. No Broad monsoon scenarios Cropping strategy
1 Normal monsoon ã Follow the package of practices recommended for the region.
ã Do not plant the area under the crops and varieties of same duration.
ã Prefer early varieties in rainfed areas where less rain is expected
2 Timely onset and ã Avoid sowing till sufficient rains are received.
sudden withdrawal
ã If sowing is delayed: plant short duration varieties.
ã Practice thinning of crop stand, Reduce plant population and use the biomass as mulch.
intercultural
to control weeds, and use of mulch.
ã Resort to bed-furrows system/alternate row irrigation
ã Conserve moisture in ponds/tanks/field (in-situ for application during critical growth
stages). Removal of lower branches/leaves in sorghum.
ã Spray anti-transparent in rainfed and dry land areas.
ã Foliar application of nutrients may be carried out where moisture is a constraint
3 Delay in onset: Maximum ã In case of further delay in monsoon, an early sowing of ‘rabi’ crops is recommended to
of three weeks from normal conserve whatsoever moisture is available in the soil. Apart from usual ‘rabi’ crops.
date for the given region ã In Gujarat and Saurashtra, fodder sorghum may be planted.
ã To meet the fodder needs, sorghum could be grown.
ã In southern parts of the country, a crop like sorghum is recommended.
ã Shift from long duration to short duration crops/varieties.
ã Wherever quality seed is not available, local procurement from adjoining areas may be
ã
made and used after checking for seed germination.
Spray of boron and potassium increases drought tolerance.
4 Break in monsoon (dry ã Generally occurs between 3rd week of July and 2nd week of August, and extended monsoon
spell conditions for 2 to 3 choice of crops and varieties for late sowing may be as given under the scenario 2 above.
weeks consecutively ã Follow water conservation and management practices.
a. Provision for drainage
b. Possibility of taking a catch crop
c. Conserving moisture for ‘rabi’ sowing
d. Adopting of zero tillage sowing
5 Early withdrawal of
ã Follow water conservation and management practices.
monsoon: By last week ã Planting after first week of September may be done only for the purpose of fodder.
of August (late
ã Only specific varieties of pigeonpea may be planted up to first week of September,
season drought) which are recommended for pre-’rabi’ planting.
ã Harvesting part of the crop as fodder when symptoms of withering start
ã Harvesting the crop at physiological maturity.
ã Removal of older/lower leaves in sorghum,
ã Prepare for the ensuing ‘rabi’ season.
7