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Lesson
05 of 11

🌾 Barley, Lentil, and Other Rabi Crops

Production overview of barley, lentil, field pea, safflower, and linseed, with their practical role in Rabi diversification and farm resilience.

Rabi diversification beyond wheat and mustard is essential for water efficiency, nutrition security, and resilient farm income. This lesson compiles concise production guidance for major secondary Rabi crops.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare)

Importance

  • Fourth most important cereal globally after wheat, rice, and maize
  • India: ~0.7 million ha, ~1.8 million tonnes
  • Used for food, animal feed, malting (beer industry)
  • More drought and salt tolerant than wheat

Production Technology

  • Sowing: October–November; seed rate 75–100 kg/ha; spacing 22.5 cm rows
  • Nutrient dose: 60-30-20 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha
  • Irrigations: 2–3 at CRI, heading, and grain filling
  • Varieties: BH 946, RD 2035, DWRB 92, Jyoti
  • Yield: 25–40 q/ha

Lentil (Lens culinaris) — Masoor

Importance

  • India is the largest producer and consumer of lentil
  • Area: ~1.5 million ha; Production: ~1.5 million tonnes
  • Rich in protein (24–26%), iron, and folate

Production Technology

  • Sowing: October 25–November 15
  • Seed rate: 30–35 kg/ha (small-seeded), 40–45 kg/ha (large-seeded/bold)
  • Spacing: 25–30 cm × 5–7 cm
  • Nutrient dose: 20-40-20 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha + Rhizobium inoculation
  • Irrigation: Usually rainfed; 1–2 irrigations if available
  • Major disease: Rust (Uromyces fabae) — spray mancozeb; Wilt (Fusarium) — resistant varieties
  • Varieties: IPL 316, L 4076, Pant L 8, HUL 57
  • Yield: 10–15 q/ha

Field Pea (Pisum sativum)

  • Sowing: October–November; seed rate 80–100 kg/ha
  • Spacing: 30 cm × 5–10 cm
  • Nutrient dose: 20-40-20 kg N-P₂O₅-K₂O/ha
  • Major disease: Powdery mildew — spray karathane/wettable sulphur
  • Varieties: Kashi Nandini, Kashi Udai, Arkel (vegetable type)
  • Yield: 12–18 q/ha (grain type), 80–100 q/ha (green pod)

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)

  • Drought-tolerant oilseed crop; deep tap root
  • Area: ~0.1 million ha (declining); mainly Maharashtra, Karnataka
  • Sowing: October; seed rate 12–15 kg/ha; spacing 45 × 20 cm
  • Oil content: 28–35%
  • Yield: 10–15 q/ha

Linseed/Flax (Linum usitatissimum)

  • Dual-purpose: oil (linseed oil) and fiber (flax)
  • Rich in omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid)
  • Sowing: October–November; seed rate 20–25 kg/ha
  • Major states: MP, UP, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra
  • Yield: 8–12 q/ha

Summary Cheat Sheet

Crop Key practical point
Barley More tolerant to drought and salinity than wheat
Lentil Low-input pulse with strong nutritional value and rainfed fit
Field pea Suitable for grain and vegetable use with dual market options
Safflower Deep-rooted drought-tolerant oilseed for dry regions
Linseed Dual-purpose crop valued for oil quality and omega-3 content

References

3 sources

ICAR recommendations on barley, lentil, pea, safflower, and linseed production.
AICRP pulse and oilseed varietal release and agronomy notes.
State crop production manuals for Rabi diversification.

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