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The Government has advised Jowar (Sorghum) farmers to complete sowing by first week of July or immediately after the first soaking rains of the monsoon, as it is optimum time for the crop. Jowar is sown in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana during kharif season.
For higher moisture use efficiency and higher productivity, the farm experts have advised to adopt ridge furrow method of sowing. Use only certified quality seeds of hybrids/high yielding varieties recommended for the area at the rate of 8 kg per hectare. Treat the seed with fungicide and Trichoderma before sowing to control the seed borne diseases as recommended for the area. For Jowar, 80 kg N and 40 kg P2O5 per hectare is recommended. Apply 50 per cent of N and full P2O5 as basal and remaining 50 per cent of N after 30 days of sowing.
Agriculture experts also advise to take inter crop of redgram/greengram /blackgram or any other crop recommended for the area for higher returns and risk cover. Adopt rainwater harvesting through farm ponds and apply life saving irrigation in event of longer intermittent dry spells. Reduce the plant stand in the event of rain failure and depending upon the seriousness of drought. Use uprooted plants as mulch to reduce soil moisture loss.
Adopt Integrated Pest Management practices, especially the varieties tolerant to insect-pests and diseases common in the area and early planting to escape the damage.
UM:RC:sorghum-060605
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