16 June 2025, New Delhi: The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has released its detailed weekly agromet advisory for farmers. This comprehensive advisory includes crop-specific guidance on paddy nursery preparation, sowing of pulses like pigeonpea, green gram and black gram, vegetable nursery management, pest monitoring, soil testing, and orchard establishment. Farmers are advised to follow these guidelines closely for better crop health, higher productivity and improved profitability.
Paddy Nursery Preparation and High Yielding Varieties
Farmers are advised to begin the preparation of paddy nurseries for the upcoming season. According to IARI, for one hectare of main field area, a nursery area of 800 to 1000 square meters is sufficient. Before sowing, it is strongly recommended to treat the seeds with Captan fungicide at the rate of two grams per kilogram of seed. This seed treatment helps protect the seedlings from fungal diseases during germination and early growth stages, ensuring healthy and uniform crop establishment.
For better yield, IARI advises farmers to use certified seeds procured from authorized agencies. The institute recommends several high yielding basmati paddy varieties that have demonstrated excellent performance in terms of yield, grain quality, aroma, and market value. These varieties include Pusa Basmati 1509, Pusa Basmati 1985, Pusa Basmati 1979, Pusa Basmati 1692, Pusa Basmati 1885, Pusa Basmati 1847, Pusa 44, Pusa Basmati 1718, Pusa Basmati 1637, Pusa Sugandha-5, Pusa Sugandha-4 also known as Pusa 1121, Pant Dhan-4 and Pant Dhan-10. Cultivating these IARI-recommended high yielding varieties will help farmers achieve superior productivity, better milling quality and higher profitability.
Pigeonpea (Arhar) Sowing and High Yielding Varieties
IARI has advised that the current week is suitable for sowing pigeonpea (arhar). Farmers must ensure that adequate moisture is present in the soil at the time of sowing to facilitate proper germination. Prior to sowing, IARI strongly recommends seed treatment with crop-specific Rhizobium culture and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB). This biofertilizer treatment enhances nitrogen fixation and phosphorus availability, which significantly boosts plant growth and yield.
Farmers are advised to procure high quality certified seeds for sowing. The high yielding pigeonpea varieties recommended by IARI include Pusa Arhar-16, Pusa 2001, Pusa 2002, Pusa 991, Pusa 992, Paras and Manak. These varieties are recognized for their superior yield potential, short duration maturity, strong disease resistance, and suitability for diverse agro-climatic zones. Adopting these IARI-endorsed varieties will enable farmers to secure better harvests and improved income.
Green Gram (Moong) Sowing and High Yielding Varieties
IARI recommends that farmers start sowing green gram (moong) during the ongoing favorable weather conditions. Proper moisture management in the field is essential to achieve uniform seed germination and healthy early growth. Before sowing, IARI suggests treating seeds with Rhizobium culture and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB). This seed treatment enhances nutrient uptake, promotes strong root development, and contributes to higher yields.
Farmers are advised to obtain seeds from certified sources to ensure varietal purity and good germination. The high yielding green gram varieties suggested by IARI include Pusa 1431, Pusa 1641, Pusa Vishal, Pusa 5931, SML-668 and Samrat. These varieties offer excellent productivity, strong resistance to diseases and superior market quality. By adopting these varieties along with proper management practices, farmers can optimize their moong production.
Black Gram (Urad) Sowing and High Yielding Varieties
For black gram (urad), IARI has advised farmers to initiate sowing while maintaining sufficient soil moisture to facilitate effective seed germination. Similar to other pulse crops, IARI emphasizes the importance of seed treatment with Rhizobium culture and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) prior to sowing. This treatment not only improves plant growth but also enhances nitrogen fixation and phosphorus availability, ultimately leading to higher crop yields.
Farmers should ensure that they purchase seeds only from certified agencies to maintain genetic purity and crop uniformity. The high yielding black gram varieties recommended by IARI include Urd Type-9, T-31 and T-39. These varieties are recognized for their early maturity, strong disease resistance, and superior yield performance. Following these IARI guidelines will help farmers maximize their black gram productivity and profitability.
Vegetable Nursery Preparation for Early Season Planting
IARI has also provided important advisory for vegetable growers who are planning to establish nurseries for early season crops such as cauliflower, tomato, chilli and brinjal. Farmers are advised to prepare the nursery beds carefully and use shade nets, which help in controlling vector-borne diseases and ensuring healthier seedlings. The nursery should be covered with nets at a height of approximately 6.5 feet to protect young plants from excessive sunlight and pest attacks.
Before sowing, vegetable seeds should be treated with Thiram fungicide at the rate of 2.0 to 2.5 grams per kilogram of seed. This treatment safeguards seedlings from seed-borne fungal diseases during the vulnerable germination stage and helps in establishing vigorous and uniform seedlings ready for transplanting.
Lady Finger (Okra) Post-Harvest Nutrient Management and Pest Monitoring
Farmers growing lady finger (okra) are advised to apply urea at the rate of 5 to 10 kilograms per acre after harvesting mature fruits, followed by light irrigation. This nutrient supplementation helps the plants rejuvenate and continue producing healthy pods in subsequent harvests. IARI also recommends regular monitoring of lady finger crops for pest attacks, particularly mites, jassids, and hoppers. Early detection and timely control measures will prevent economic losses and ensure better crop quality.
Harvest Timing for Vegetables Under Current Weather Conditions
Considering the prevailing temperature forecasts, IARI advises farmers to harvest mature vegetable crops during early morning or late evening hours. Harvested produce should be stored under shade to reduce heat stress and preserve freshness, thereby improving post-harvest quality and marketability.
Soil Testing and Nutrient Management
During this period when field activities are comparatively less, IARI recommends that farmers take advantage of the time to get their soil tested through certified laboratories. Soil testing allows farmers to assess nutrient levels and make informed decisions about fertilizer applications based on the specific needs of their fields. Timely soil testing and nutrient correction help optimize input usage, improve soil health, and enhance crop productivity in the upcoming season.
Orchard Establishment and Pit Preparation
For farmers planning to establish new orchards, IARI advises them to begin pit preparation as per the planting requirements of the selected fruit crops. The pits should be dug and left open under the hot June climate. Exposure to high temperatures helps in destroying harmful soil-borne pests, pathogens, and weed seeds, creating a healthier environment for the future orchard. Proper site selection, pit preparation and timely planting will ensure better orchard establishment and long-term productivity.
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