Question

In early withdrawal of monsoon what should be best moisture mitigation practice?

• A. Early sowing of suitable Rabi crops
• B. Late sowing of suitable Rabi crops
• C. Late sowing of suitable Kharif crops
• D. Both 1 and 2

Hint:

To mitigate an early monsoon withdrawal, sow Rabi crops early to utilize the residual soil moisture before it evaporates from the topsoil.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
In rainfed and dryland agriculture, crop planning depends heavily on the monsoon pattern.
If the monsoon withdraws early, the soil profile contains some residual moisture, but this moisture will evaporate rapidly as temperatures rise and dry winds set in.
Detailed Explanation:
When the monsoon withdraws early, farmers must act quickly to utilize the remaining soil moisture:
- Early sowing of suitable Rabi crops: Sowing winter (Rabi) crops early allows them to germinate and establish their root systems using the residual soil moisture.
This early establishment helps the crops survive on deeper moisture as the topsoil dries out later in the season.
- Late sowing of suitable Rabi crops: If sowing is delayed, the residual moisture in the upper soil layers will evaporate completely.
This leads to poor germination and weak seedling establishment, reducing yields.
- Late sowing of suitable Kharif crops: By the time the monsoon withdraws early, the Kharif season is already ending.
Attempting to sow Kharif crops late at this stage would fail due to the complete lack of rainfall and rapid soil drying.
Therefore, early sowing of drought-tolerant Rabi crops (like chickpea, mustard, or safflower) is the best practice to mitigate early monsoon withdrawal.

Step 2: Final Answer:
The best moisture mitigation practice for an early monsoon withdrawal is the early sowing of suitable Rabi crops.