Kharif Crop Yields with Soil Testing, Increase Crop Production

There are three seasons in the year: winter, summer and monsoon, different crops are cultivated each season based on soil and climate conditions. During the monsoon season, Kharif crops are planted because they require adequate water utilization facilitated by rainfall. Neglecting these crops results in decreased yield. Due to higher humidity during the rainy season, there is a higher risk of pest infestation and diseases. Agricultural scientists emphasize the importance of proper management, scientific farming practices, and crop rotation to achieve higher yields of Kharif crops. Commonly grown crops during the monsoon season include rice, maize, mung beans, pearl millet, guar, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, sesame, castor, pigeon pea, among others.

Enhancing Crop Production through Soil Testing:

To achieve higher yields during the Kharif season, soil testing is essential. It should be conducted 1.5 to 2 months before sowing by collecting soil samples up to a depth of about 15 cm after removing the top layer of the field. A minimum of five to six samples should be taken from different spots in the field. Before sending the soil samples for testing, the farmer's name, field name, village name, district name, and PIN code should be clearly labeled on each sample.

Soil Improvement:

After soil testing, if the soil shows excessive salinity and alkalinity, it should be supplemented with compost manure adequately mixed with cow dung in appropriate quantities. Additionally, high-quality seeds should be sown. Following this, green manure, 50 to 250 kilograms of gypsum, and 200 to 250 kilograms of compost manure per hectare should be applied during the rainy season. Advance sowing of mustard, wheat, chickpeas, peas, etc., should be done for Rabi crops.

Field Preparation for Kharif Crops:

In May, deep plowing with a moldboard plow is essential for sowing Kharif crops, as it helps eliminate numerous soil-borne pests. To achieve higher crop yields, suitable crop varieties should be selected based on the climate and soil conditions of different regions before sowing.

Application of Fertilizers: During sowing, the entire quantity of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers required for the crop and soil should be applied at a depth of two to three centimeters. One-third of the total nitrogen should be applied during sowing, and the remaining two-thirds should be split, with half applied to standing crops 25-30 days after sowing and the rest applied 40-45 days later. In rainfed areas, the entire nitrogen amount can also be applied to standing crops using the broadcasting method. For this, urea should be dissolved in water at a rate of 600 to 800 grams per liter and broadcasted per hectare 30 to 40 days after sowing. Bio-fertilizers and rhizobium culture should be mixed with seeds of leguminous crops during sowing.

Seed Treatment:

1. To separate light seeds, immerse them in a 2% saline solution and discard those that float.
2. Rinse the remaining seeds thoroughly with clean water and allow them to dry.
3. Before sowing seeds of all crops, treat them effectively with 3 grams of fungicide to prevent fungal diseases such as root rot, damping-off, leaf spot, and powdery mildew.
4. To prevent white grub infestations in crops like maize, sorghum, pearl millet, and peanuts, mix approximately 20-25 kilograms of phorate per hectare into the soil.

Sowing of Seeds: For small seeds, sow them at a depth of 2-3 centimeters, while for crops with larger seeds, sow at a depth of 4-5 centimeters in moist soil. Evening is preferable for sowing seeds. Most Kharif crops are sown after the onset of monsoon rains. However, in irrigated areas, sowing should be completed by the end of June to ensure optimal crop yields.

Weeding and Pest Control: Weeds can be effectively managed by hoeing or plowing 1-2 times. Various tools such as hand hoes, plows, harrows, bullock-drawn or tractor-drawn implements can be used for weed control. Prior to sowing seeds, the field should be plowed two weeks in advance using the clean bed technique to allow weeds to germinate. After controlling weeds, sow seeds again and then harvest after eliminating the weeds. Care should be taken not to plow deeper than 4-5 centimeters during weeding. Avoid hoeing or enriching the soil after peg formation starts in peanut crops.