Rabi And Kharif Crops ~upd~ -

A third, less prominent season exists: (summer crops between Rabi and Kharif, e.g., watermelon, cucumber), but the primary dichotomy remains Rabi vs. Kharif.

| Feature | Kharif Crops | Rabi Crops | |---------|--------------|-------------| | | June–July (onset of monsoon) | October–December (post-monsoon) | | Growing Season | Wet, hot, humid (monsoon) | Cool, dry, short days | | Harvesting | September–October | March–April | | Water Source | Mostly rain-fed (irrigation as backup) | Mostly irrigated (canals, wells, tubewells) | | Temperature Need | Warm (25–35°C) for germination & growth | Cool (10–20°C) during growth; warm at ripening | | Daylight Sensitivity | Generally short-day plants | Long-day plants (need longer nights initially) | | Soil Type | Well-drained, heavy soils (clay loam) | Light to medium, well-aerated soils (sandy loam) | | Key Inputs | High rainfall, humidity-tolerant varieties | Frost protection, controlled irrigation | | Pest/Disease Pressure | High due to moisture (fungal, weeds) | Lower, but aphids and rusts common | rabi and kharif crops

The most important Kharif crop, requiring standing water. A third, less prominent season exists: (summer crops