Rajasthan Crops & Cropping Seasons GK

PART - 20: Crops & Cropping Seasons of Rajasthan

Detailed Index

Section	Topic	Exam Importance
20.1	Agricultural Calendar of Rajasthan	★★★★★
20.2	Kharif Crops: Detailed Analysis	★★★★★
20.3	Rabi Crops: Detailed Analysis	★★★★★
20.4	Zaid Crops	★★★★
20.5	Crop Rotation Systems	★★★★
20.6	Farming Terminology	★★★★
20.7	Key Exam Pointers	★★★★★

📖 20.1 Agricultural Calendar of Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, based on agricultural climate, monsoon dynamics, and temperature, one agricultural year (July 1 to June 30) is divided into three major cropping seasons:

                            [Annual Crop Cycle of Rajasthan]
                                          │
       ┌──────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────┐
       ▼                                  ▼                                  ▼
[1. Kharif (Siyalu / Sawani)]       [2. Rabi (Unalu)]                 [3. Zaid (Summer)]
 • Sowing: 15 June - 15 July       • Sowing: 15 Oct - 15 Nov         • Sowing: March - April
 • Harvest: Sept - October         • Harvest: March - April          • Harvest: May - June
 • Basis: SW Monsoon               • Basis: Stored moisture + Mawath  • Basis: Artificial irrigation
 • ~65% of gross area              • ~30% of gross area              • ~5% of gross area

Comparative Table of Three Seasons

Cropping Season	Local/Rajasthani Name	Exact Sowing Time	Exact Harvesting Time	Seasonal Conditions (Temp & Humidity)	Irrigation Dependence	Share in Gross Cropped Area
Kharif	Siyalu / Sawani (Sown in Sawan, harvested at onset of winter)	15 June to 15 July (with first monsoon rain)	Late September to October	High temperature (30°C-40°C), high humidity, long photoperiod	About 70% unirrigated (Barani); completely rain-dependent	About 60-65%
Rabi	Unalu (Harvested at onset of summer)	15 October to 15 November (when temperature drops)	March to April (before temperature rises)	Cool & dry weather during initial growth (10°C-15°C), clear sunshine during ripening (25°C-30°C)	About 75% irrigated (wells, tube wells, canals); benefits from 'Mawath'	About 30-35%
Zaid	Zaid / Pre-Monsoon	Mid-February to end of March	May to June (before monsoon arrival)	Intense dryness, high temperature (35°C-45°C), strong sunshine, low humidity	100% irrigated (river beds, canal command, tube wells)	About 3-5%

📖 20.2 Kharif Crops: Detailed Analysis

Kharif crops are mainly C4 plants, which grow rapidly in high temperature and intense solar radiation:

                          [Major Kharif Crops]
                                    │
     ┌───────────────┬──────────────┼───────────────┬───────────────┐
     ▼               ▼              ▼               ▼               ▼
[Coarse Cereals] [Pulses]        [Oilseeds]      [Commercial]    [Fiber/Fodder]
• Bajra, Maize,  • Mung, Moth,   • Soybean,      • Guar,         • Cotton (Narma)
  Sorghum          Urad            Groundnut       Sugarcane
• Paddy          • Cowpea,       • Sesame, Castor
                   Pigeon pea

Master Table of Kharif Crops

Crop Name	Botanical Name	Sowing Time	Harvesting Time	Suitable Rainfall & Temp	Major Producing Districts (Descending)	Recommended HYV Varieties	Specific Geographical/Agricultural Facts
Bajra (Pearl Millet)	Pennisetum glaucum	20 June – 15 July	September – October	Rainfall: 25-40 cm; Temp: 28°-35°C	Barmer, Jodhpur, Alwar, Nagaur, Bikaner, Jaipur	RHB-177, RHB-121, HHB-67, Raj-171, Pusa-383	Rajasthan ranks first in India in area & production. Main crop of arid sandy (Entisols) soil.
Maize	Zea mays	15 June – 10 July	September – October	Rainfall: 50-80 cm; Temp: 22°-30°C	Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Banswara, Rajsamand	Mahi Kanchan, Mahi Dhaval (Banswara center), Savita, Navjot	Lifeline of Mewar. Red-Loam soil essential. Highly sensitive to waterlogging.
Sorghum (Jowar)	Sorghum bicolor	25 June – 15 July	October – November	Rainfall: 40-60 cm; Temp: 25°-32°C	Ajmer, Pali, Bhilwara, Tonk, Jaipur Rural	CSH-1, CSH-9, CSV-15, Pratap Jowar-1430	Called 'Poor man's bread' and 'Camel Crop' (drought tolerance).
Paddy (Rice)	Oryza sativa	15 June – 15 July (transplanting)	October – November	Rainfall: >100 cm; Temp: 25°-35°C	Bundi, Hanumangarh, Kota, Banswara, Baran	Mahi Sugandha (Banswara), Basmati, Pusa Sugandha-4, Chambal	Highly water-intensive crop. Concentrated in Chambal Command (Bundi) & Ghaggar canal (Hanumangarh).
Mung (Green Gram)	Vigna radiata	1 July – 20 July	September – October	Rainfall: 30-50 cm; Temp: 25°-35°C	Nagaur (top), Jalore, Pali, Jodhpur, Barmer	RMG-62, RMG-268, K-851, Ganga-8 (SML-668)	Short-duration (60-65 days). Soil improver through biological nitrogen fixation.
Moth Bean	Vigna aconitifolia	1 July – 25 July	October – November	Rainfall: 15-30 cm; Temp: 30°-38°C	Bikaner (top), Churu, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur	RMO-40 (Marudhar), RMO-435, RMO-225, Jwala	World's most drought-tolerant pulse. Primary raw material for Bikaneri Bhujia industry.
Urad (Black Gram)	Vigna mungo	25 June – 15 July	September – October	Rainfall: 50-70 cm; Temp: 25°-35°C	Kota, Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar, Bhilwara	T-9, Krishna, Barkha, Pratap Urad-1	Abundantly produced in medium black (Vertisols) soil of Hadoti.
Soybean	Glycine max	20 June – 10 July	Early October	Rainfall: 60-90 cm; Temp: 25°-32°C	Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh	JS-335, JS-9305, JS-9560, NRC-37, Pratap Soya	40% protein & 20% oil. Rajasthan ranks third in India (Hadoti belt).
Groundnut	Arachis hypogaea	15 June – 10 July	October – November	Rainfall: 40-60 cm; Temp: 25°-30°C	Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur Rural, Sikar	TG-37A, GG-20, Chandra, Prakash, M-13	Lunkaransar (Bikaner) called 'Rajasthan's Rajkot'. Light sandy loam suitable.
Sesame (Til)	Sesamum indicum	1 July – 20 July	October	Rainfall: 40-50 cm; Temp: 25°-32°C	Pali (top), Sawai Madhopur, Karauli, Jodhpur	RT-46, RT-127, RT-351, Chetak	Ancient indigenous oilseed of Barani areas; Phyllody disease in roots.
Cotton	Gossypium spp.	April – May (early sowing)	October – December	Rainfall: 50-80 cm; Temp: 25°-35°C	Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bhilwara, Banswara	Narma (American), Bt Cotton (RCH-134), RST-9, Bikaneri Narma	Local name 'Baniya'; fiber 'White Gold'. Requires 200 frost-free days.
Guar (Cluster Bean)	Cyamopsis tetragonoloba	1 July – 20 July	October – November	Rainfall: 20-35 cm; Temp: 30°-40°C	Barmer, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Churu, Hanumangarh	RGC-936, RGC-1002, RGC-1017, Durgapura Safed	70% of world's guar in Rajasthan. 'Guar Gum' from seeds used in petroleum shale gas extraction.

📖 20.3 Rabi Crops: Detailed Analysis

Rabi crops are of temperate and sub-tropical pattern, requiring slow temperature for ripening and dry atmospheric conditions at harvest:

                           [Major Rabi Crops]
                                     │
     ┌───────────────┬───────────────┼───────────────┬───────────────┐
     ▼               ▼               ▼               ▼               ▼
[Main Cereals]   [Pulses]        [Oilseeds]      [Spices]        [Medicinal & Cash]
• Wheat, Barley  • Gram, Pea,    • Mustard/Rai   • Cumin,        • Isabgol, Opium
                   Lentil         • Taramira,     Coriander,      • Tobacco
                                    Linseed       Fennel, Fenugreek

Master Table of Rabi Crops

Crop Name	Botanical Name	Sowing Time	Harvesting Time	Suitable Rainfall & Temp	Major Producing Districts	Recommended HYV Varieties	Specific Facts
Wheat	Triticum aestivum	15 Oct – 15 Nov	15 March – 15 April	Rainfall: 50-75 cm; Temp: 15°-22°C	Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Kota, Alwar, Jaipur, Baran	Raj-3077 (salt-tolerant), Raj-3765, Raj-4037, Lok-1, WH-147, HD-2967	Largest cereal crop of state. Highly benefited by 'Mawath'. 4-6 irrigation cycles (CRI stage important).
Barley	Hordeum vulgare	20 Oct – 10 Nov	March	Rainfall: 40-50 cm; Temp: 12°-18°C	Jaipur, Sri Ganganagar, Sikar, Alwar, Bhilwara	RD-2052, RD-2035, RD-2552, Bilara-2, Jyoti, Azad	Most salt & alkali tolerant cereal. Used in beer, malt industry & animal feed.
Gram (Chickpea)	Cicer arietinum	1 Oct – 25 Oct (early sowing)	Early March	Rainfall: 35-50 cm; Temp: 15°-25°C	Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer	RSG-888, RSG-44, GNG-469 (Samrat), GNG-1581 (Gangaur), Dahod Yellow	Top in Rabi pulses. Highly damaged by Frost. Moisture conservation at sowing (Barani) essential.
Mustard & Rai	Brassica juncea	20 Sept – 15 Oct	February – March	Rainfall: 35-50 cm; Temp: 15°-20°C	Bharatpur, Alwar, Sri Ganganagar, Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa	Varuna (T-59), Pusa Bold, Rohini, NRCHB-101, Maya, DRMRIJ-31 (Giriraj)	Rajasthan ranks first in India (40-45% production). DRMR located at Sevwar (Bharatpur).
Taramira	Eruca sativa	15 Sept – 10 Oct	February	Rainfall: 20-35 cm; Temp: 12°-20°C	Nagaur, Churu, Jaipur, Sikar, Bikaner	T-27, RTM-314, RTM-1351, Narendra Tara	Successful even in minimum rainfall & sandy-pebbly land; oil is bitter & industrially useful.
Linseed	Linum usitatissimum	15 Oct – 10 Nov	March	Rainfall: 45-60 cm; Temp: 15°-22°C	Kota, Baran, Jhalawar, Pratapgarh, Nagaur	Triveni, Shweta, Ruchi, Pratap Alsi-1	Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids; in Hadoti's black & loamy soil as double crop.
Cumin	Cuminum cyminum	1 Nov – 25 Nov	Late February – March	Rainfall: Dry weather essential; Temp: 15°-25°C	Jodhpur, Barmer, Nagaur, Jalore, Jaisalmer	RZ-19, RZ-209, RZ-223, Gujarat Cumin-4	Destroyed by 'Chhachhiya' (Powdery Mildew) & 'Jhulsa' disease if clouds or fog during ripening.
Coriander	Coriandrum sativum	15 Oct – 5 Nov	March	Rainfall: 50-60 cm; Temp: 15°-22°C	Baran, Kota, Jhalawar, Bundi, Chittorgarh	RCr-41, RCr-435, RCr-436, Kumbhraj, Sadhana	Ramganjmandi (Kota/Baran border) is Asia's largest coriander market.
Fenugreek (Kasuri Methi)	Trigonella foenum-graecum	15 Oct – 10 Nov	March	Rainfall: 35-50 cm; Temp: 10°-20°C	Nagaur (Merta), Sikar, Jaipur, Bikaner	RMt-1, RMt-143, RMt-305, Pusa Early Bunch	Nagaur's Paan Methi (Kasuri Methi) world-famous for distinctive natural aroma.
Isabgol (Psyllium Husk)	Plantago ovata	20 Oct – 15 Nov	March	Rainfall: Dry weather; Temp: 15°-25°C	Jalore, Sanchore, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Sirohi	RI-89, GI-2, Gujarat Isabgol-1, Haryana Isabgol-5	Local name 'Ghoda Jeera'; medicinal properties in husk. Large part of India's production from here.
Opium Poppy	Papaver somniferum	15 Oct – 10 Nov	March – April (lancing)	Rainfall: Dry weather; Temp: 12°-20°C	Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh, Jhalawar, Bhilwara	Chetak, Jawahar Opium-16, Sujata	Local name 'Black Gold' / 'Amal'; under strict control of Central Narcotics Bureau (CBN) on legal licenses.
Garlic	Allium sativum	15 Sept – 15 Oct	February – March	Rainfall: 50-70 cm; Temp: 15°-25°C	Baran, Jhalawar, Kota, Chittorgarh, Pratapgarh	G-1 (Yamuna Safed), G-282, Bhima Purple, Agrifound White	Chhipabarod (Baran) is major garlic market of the state.

📖 20.4 Zaid Crops

Zaid crops are mainly grown in the vacant period (March to June) between two major seasons (Rabi harvest and Kharif sowing):

                            [Major Zaid Crops]
                                      │
         ┌────────────────────────────┼────────────────────────────┐
         ▼                            ▼                            ▼
[Cucurbits / Creepers]         [Quick-maturing Pulses]        [Green Fodder Crops]
• Watermelon, Muskmelon        • Summer Mung                 • Lucerne (Rizka)
• Cucumber, Kakri              • Summer Urad                 • Chari (Sorghum fodder)
• Bottle gourd, Turai          (Duration: 60-65 days)         • Sudan Grass, Cowpea

Detailed Analysis of Zaid Crops

Crop Category	Major Crops	Sowing Time	Harvesting Time	Major Producing Areas	Geographical & Agricultural Utility
Cucurbits (Creepers)	Watermelon & Mateera	Late February to March	May to June	River beds (Banas, Chambal basin) & western desert (Bikaner, Barmer)	Supply of water & electrolytes in summer. Mateera seeds used in dry fruits & namkeen.
	Muskmelon	Mid-February to March	Late April to May	Tonk, Pali, Jaipur (Dhod/Sambhar area), Bilara	Muskmelons of Banas river bed famous for sweetness.
	Cucumber & Kakri	February to March	April to June	Jaipur, Dausa, Ajmer, Kota, Alwar	Intensive cash production in polyhouses & river valleys.
Short-duration Pulses	Summer Mung & Urad	15 March to 10 April	Late May to first week of June	Sri Ganganagar, Kota, Bundi, Hanumangarh (irrigated belt)	Best utilization of vacant field after wheat harvest; adds nitrogen to soil.
Animal Fodder Crops	Lucerne (Rizka)	October-November (winter) to May-June	Repeated cutting every 20-25 days	Entire milk-producing belt (Jaipur, Alwar, Ajmer)	Best protein-rich green fodder for milch animals.
	Chari & Sudan Grass	March to April	May to July	Western & central Rajasthan	Solution to severe summer fodder crisis.

📖 20.5 Crop Rotation Systems

To maintain soil biological fertility, break pest-disease cycles, and save water, specific crop rotations are adopted in different agro-ecological regions of Rajasthan:

[1. Arid Desert Rotation (1-year)]  ──>  Bajra / Guar (Kharif) ──> Fallow (Rabi) ──> Moth / Sesame
[2. Canal Irrigated NW Rotation]    ──>  American Cotton (Kharif) ──> Wheat or Barley (Rabi)
[3. Eastern Plain Irrigated]        ──>  Bajra (Kharif) ──> Mustard (Rabi) ──> Guar / Mung (Zaid)
[4. Hadoti Black Soil Rotation]     ──>  Soybean (Kharif) ──> Wheat / Gram / Coriander (Rabi)
[5. Mewar Hilly Rotation]           ──>  Maize (Kharif) ──> Gram or Wheat (Rabi)

Scientific Principles of Crop Rotation

Principle	Description
Deep-rooted followed by shallow-rooted crops	E.g., Cotton (deep-rooted) followed by Wheat (shallow-rooted), so nutrients can be taken from different soil horizons.
Mandatory inclusion of pulse crops	Sowing pulse crops (which return nitrogen through Rhizobium) after cereal crops (which absorb nitrogen).
High water-demanding followed by low water-demanding crops	E.g., Paddy or Cotton followed by Gram or Mustard.

📖 20.6 Farming Terminology

Specific indigenous terms related to agricultural processes in Rajasthan's rural environment:

Local Term	Standard Meaning & Agricultural Context
Sood	Process of cutting and clearing unnecessary thorny bushes and weeds grown in the field before Kharif sowing.
Halotiyo / Halautya	Traditional ritual of plowing the field after the first monsoon rain of the rainy season, at an auspicious time.
Beejani / Odhani	The wooden or iron funnel-shaped tube attached behind the plow, through which seeds are dropped into the furrow.
Nirai-Gudai	Act of removing unnecessary grass-weeds (weeds) from standing crops using Khurpi or Kasi.
Laavni	Process of harvesting ripe crops with sickle (Dantli) (especially harvesting of Bajra & Guar in Kharif).
Lata	Collective heap of grain and straw in the threshing floor after crop harvest is called 'Lata'.
Gahai / Damai (Threshing)	Process of separating grains from straw by driving bullocks over dried plant ears or by thresher machine.
Khakhla / Kadbi	Fine husk made from stalks of wheat, barley & gram is called 'Khakhla'; while dried stalks of Bajra & Sorghum are called 'Kadbi'.
Pavta / Pula	Large bundles of crop plants tied after cutting.
Palewa / Rauni	Act of preparing moisture in the ground by watering the dry field before sowing for easy germination of seeds.
Korwan	First light watering (first irrigation) given when plants grow a little after sowing.

📖 20.7 Key Exam Pointers

Fact	Description
Sowing-Harvesting Time Rule	Kharif: Sowing = Monsoon arrival (June-July); Harvest = Onset of winter (Sept-Oct). Rabi: Sowing = Onset of cold (Oct-Nov); Harvest = Onset of summer (March-April). Zaid: Sowing = End of spring (March); Harvest = Peak of summer (May-June).
Mahi Kanchan & Mahi Dhaval	These are hybrid varieties of Maize, developed by Agricultural Research Center, Banswara.
Mahi Sugandha	This is an improved variety of aromatic Paddy (Rice) (Avoid confusion: Mahi Kanchan = Maize, Mahi Sugandha = Rice).
Raj-3077	This is a variety of Wheat capable of good production even in saline & alkaline water and soil.
Sevwar (Bharatpur)	National Mustard Research Directorate (DRMR) was established on 20 October 1993 by ICAR.
C4 Crops vs C3 Crops	Major Kharif crops (Bajra, Maize, Sorghum, Sugarcane) are C4 plants, with high Water Use Efficiency in intense heat. Rabi crops (Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Gram) are C3 plants, which photosynthesize at slow temperature.
Most Frost-Affected Crops	Among Rabi crops, Mustard and Gram are most sensitive to frost.
Camel Crop	Sorghum (Jowar) is called 'Camel Crop' in botany due to its extreme drought tolerance.

Exam Revision

Agricultural Year: July 1 to June 30 -> Tri-Seasonal Calendar: Kharif (Siyalu/Sawani - Sowing 15 June to 15 July, 60-65% gross area), Rabi (Unalu - Sowing 15 Oct to 15 Nov, 30-35% gross area), Zaid (Sowing mid-Feb to March, 3-5% area) -> C4 Plants: Bajra, Maize, Sorghum, Sugarcane (high WUE in heat) -> C3 Plants: Wheat, Barley, Mustard, Gram -> Rajasthan #1 in India: Bajra, Mustard, Total Oilseeds, Guar -> DRMR Sevwar Bharatpur (20 Oct 1993) -> White Gold: Cotton (Baniya) -> Black Gold: Opium (Amal, CBN license) -> Poor Man's Bread & Camel Crop: Sorghum (Jowar) -> Salt-Tolerant Varieties: Wheat (Raj-3077), Barley (RD-2052) -> Banswara HYV: Maize (Mahi Kanchan, Mahi Dhaval), Rice (Mahi Sugandha) -> Major Markets: Ramganjmandi (Asia's largest coriander market), Chhipabarod (garlic market) -> Famous Belts: Nagaur (Paan Methi/Kasuri Methi & Mung), Sojat (Henna), Lunkaransar (Rajasthan's Rajkot - Groundnut), Mathania (Red Chilli), Jhalawar (Orange), Sri Ganganagar (Kinnow) -> Farming Terminology: Sood (field clearing), Halotiyo (first plowing), Beejani (seed drill), Laavni (harvesting), Palewa (pre-sowing irrigation), Korwan (first post-emergence irrigation), Khakhla (fine husk), Kadbi (stalks), Lata (threshing floor grain heap)

AI-Friendly Tags

rajasthan-gk, rajasthan-crops, cropping-seasons, kharif-siyalu, rabi-unalu, zaid-crops, c4-plants-bajra-maize, c3-plants-wheat-barley, mahi-kanchan-maize, mahi-sugandha-rice, raj-3077-wheat, drmr-sevwar-bharatpur, ramganjmandi-coriander, kasuri-methi-nagaur, ghoda-jeera-isabgol, farming-terminology

Rajasthan Crops & Cropping Seasons GK

PART - 20: Crops & Cropping Seasons of Rajasthan#

Detailed Index#

📖 20.1 Agricultural Calendar of Rajasthan

Comparative Table of Three Seasons#