Question

What is Kharif crop?

Answer 1

Hint: The harvesting season for Kharif crops differ in every state but is usually harvested between June and September. Various methods are used by the farmers to sow Kharif crops.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
The crops sown in the monsoon season are called the Kharif crops. The word ‘Kharif’ means autumn season in Arabic, thus the name Kharif crops. The season for Kharif crops is different from every state of the country but is usually from June to September. The various methods for sowing Kharif crops are as follows –
1. Dibbling – It is a method of putting a few seeds or seed in a pit made with a predetermined depth and space with a dibbler or a planter. This particular method is suitable for wider space planted crops which require some specific spacing for their canopy development or for cultural practices such as earthing, weeding etc. Seeds may be planted in level fields or on the ridges. For dibbling, the whole seedbed is not required to be prepared but only the seeding zones. This process is suitable for planting cotton, castor, groundnut, maize etc.
2. Line sowing – Line sowing also known as drilling is a practice of planting or dropping seeds in furrows. Furrows are made with a predetermined spacing, in which seeds are dropped at a defined distance and depth. Then it is covered with soil and compacted. Seed cum fertilizers or seed drills are some implements used in this method.
3. Broadcasting – It is a method of spreading or scattering seeds on the soil which may or may not be covered with soil. It is mostly done by hand, aeroplanes or by mechanical spreaders. Broadcasting is particularly suitable for close sowing crops which do not require spacing for their ultimate growth and development. Examples of crops which require this method are millets, mustard, jute, flooded rice etc.
4. Planting – It is the method of manually planting seeds in the soil. Crops with bigger sized seeds and which require wider space for their development needs to be planted manually.

Note: Do not confuse yourself with Rabi and Kharif crops. Rabi crops are also known as winter crops and grow in dry areas. They are grown in the months of October and November and are harvested in the spring season. Some examples of rabi crops grown in India are wheat, oats, mustard, linseed etc.