• Written By Vaibhav_Raj_Asthana
  • Last Modified 26-01-2023

Difference Between Rabi And Kharif Crops: List of Crops

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India is a country where crops vary based on season, they require specific climatic conditions to grow. According to the weather, we can see a major difference between Rabi and Kharif crops. Kharif and Rabi are two agricultural crops used by many Asian countries in the monsoon. While the cropping season for Kharif crops begins with the start of the monsoon and finishes when it ends. Rabi crops, on the other hand, are produced in the winter.

Kharif crops require a hot and humid climate, whereas Rabi crops demand a cold and dry climate. In this article, let us learn more differences between Rabi and Kharif crops with various examples.

What Is The Difference Between Kharif Crops And Rabi Crops?

Rabi Crops

Rabi crops are known as winter crops as they are sown in winter between October to December. The harvesting season for these crops is summer between April to June. Rabi crops are largely grown in north and north-western parts of the country like Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

List Of Rabi Crops

 Common Name             Scientific Name
MaizeZea mays, L
Lucerne Hedicago sativa
CuminCuminum cyminum, L
CorianderCoriandrum sativum, L
WheatTriticum vulgare, Vill
FenugreekTrigonella foenumgraecum, L
Gram Cicer arientinum
OnionAllium cepa, L
MustardBrassica juncea, L
TomatoLycopersicum esculentum, Mill
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare, Miller
PotatoSolanum tuberosum
IsabgolPlantago ovata. Fors
Oat Avena sativa

Kharif Crops

The sowing season for Kharif crops is June to August, hence these are referred to as monsoon crops, and these are harvested from September to October. Rice is the most important Kharif crop and is largely grown in Assam, West Bengal, coastal regions of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra.

List Of Kharif Crops

Common NameScientific Name
PaddyOryza sativa, L
Guar (F)Cymopsis tetragonaloba, Taub
Castor Ricinus communis
NagaliEleusine coracana, G
Hy CottonGossypium hirsutum, L
ChillyCapsicum frutescens, L
CottonGossypium herbaceum, L
Jowar Sorghum vulgare, Pers
Sesamum Sesamum orientale
Soybean Glycine hispida, Merr
MaizeZea mays, L
UridVigna mungo, L
BajriPennisetum typhoideum, L
ArharCajanus cajan, Milsp
Ground NutArachis hypogaea, L
FennelFoeniculum vulgare, Miller


Kharif Crops vs Rabi Crops

You can check the difference between the two types of crops below:

Kharif CropRabi Crop
Sowing Season
These are sown with the beginning of the first rain (monsoon season).Rabi crops are sown in the winter season i.e. October to December.
Other Names
Monsoon crops or Autumn crops.Winter crops.
Rainfall Pattern
Requires medium rainfall. Excess or very little rainfall can damage the crops. These are not majorly affected by rainfall as the chances of rain in the growing season is very less.
Requirements
Requires constant watering and hot weather (sunlight) for better yield.Warm climatic condition is preferred for sowing and cold for growth.
Harvesting Months
The exact harvesting season may vary region wise but are usually harvested in September & October. These are harvested between April to June.
Example
Paddy, maize, Jowar, Bajra, Tur (Arhar), Moong, Urad, Cotton, Jute, Groundnut, Soyabean. Wheat, Barley, Peas, Gram, Mustard.
Origin of Term
“Kharif” translates to “autumn season” in Arabic“Rabi” translates to “spring season” in Arabic

FAQs

Here you can look at the most searched question on Rabi and Kharif crops:

Q. What are Rabi crops?
Ans.
Crops sown in winter are called Rabi crops example – Wheat, Barley, etc.
Q. What are Kharif crops?
Ans.
Crops sown in monsoon are called Rabi crops example – Urad, Cotton, Jute, etc.
Q. What are Rabi and Kharif crops give examples?
Ans.
Crops harvested from April to June are Rabi crops and crops harvested in September-October are Kharif crops.
Kharif – Chilli, Castor, Fennel, etc.
Rabi – Fenugreek, Coriander, Gram, etc.

Practice Rabi & Kharif Crops Questions with Hints & Solutions