Alternate Cropping System of Tamil Nadu

ALTERNATIVE CROPPING
PATTERN FOR TAMIL NADU
Authors
Dr.C.Ramasamy
Dr.S.Ramanathan
Dr.T.N.Balasubramanian
Dr.N.Ragupathi
Dr.S.Natarajan
Dr.P.Devasenapathy
Dr.N.Natarajan
DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore – 641 003
2
TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Dr.C.Ramasamy Coimbatore-3
Vice-Chancellor
FOREWORD
Cropping pattern followed in a domain is controlled by many factors, that include climate, soils,
economic condition of the farmers, market demand, farmers preference, technology availability,
pest and disease problem etc. Majority of the cropping pattern are practiced time-immemorial in
Tamil Nadu and farmers have introduced concerned high yielding crop varieties in that pattern
with the release of crop varieties from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. However there are
some evidences to indicate shift in cropping pattern in some pockets of Tamil Nadu due to price
fluctuations, insufficient availability of ground water, labour non-availability etc. but that shift
gets reverted back to the original cropping pattern after that problem is over.
Continued unforeseen agricultural drought from 2000 to 2003 made the agriculture
unsustainable in Tamil Nadu and farmers have lost their hope to revive agriculture subsequently.
Considering this scenario, the Government of Tamil Nadu has intervened and requested Tamil
Nadu Agricultural University to prepare an alternate cropping pattern to meet this challenge.
Based on the research conducted so far by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, experiences of
extension officials of State Department of Agriculture, ground truth condition of the farm
holdings and surface water availability. An alternate cropping pattern was prepared and
presented before policy makers of Tamil Nadu Government and higher officials of State
Department of Agriculture. Their comments were critically reviewed and incorporated in this
document. Though attempts have been made to test the technical feasibility, biological
suitability, economical viability and socio cultural acceptability to a larger extent still the
suggested cropping pattern needs testing across farm holdings of Tamil Nadu through on farm
field testing and recommended for adoption.
Cropping pattern has been suggested for different weather situations viz. normal rainfall year,
moderate drought year and severe drought in respect of command areas, tankfed areas, well
irrigated areas and rainfed areas of the concerned district. Based on the seasonal rainfall forecast
given by Department of Agricultural Meteorology before the start of the season, the concerned
cropping pattern in the document may be picked up and adopted.
I hope this document would be much useful for field workers of State Department of
Agriculture, farmers of Tamil Nadu and students and scientists of agricultural research
institutions in Tamil Nadu.
I appreciate the scientists involved in this noble cause of preparing this document.
C.RAMASAMY
Place : Coimbatore
Date :
3
PREFACE
The State Tamil Nadu is geographically located between 8°5' and 13°35' North latitude
and between 76°14' and 80°21' East longitude. As a result of this geographical position,
Tamil Nadu enjoys semi arid climate, which permits higher crops productivity under
irrigation.
Out of 13 million hectares of geographical area, which is 3.95 per cent of total
geographical area of India, the cultivable area in Tamil Nadu is around 7 million hectares
and 55 per cent of which is dryland. Though red soil is the dominant soil type in Tamil
Nadu, both black and alluvial soils also spread over Tamil Nadu next in extent to red
soils.
Monsoon rainfall is the basic resource for water availability in Tamil Nadu. Based on
annual rainfall of Tamil Nadu and total geographical area, the tentative annual water
availability is 12.285 Mha.M and out of which the annual availability is 4.74 m.ha.M
The dominant monsoon for rainfall is north-east monsoon (Oct.-Dec.) which contribute
about 42 to 48 per cent to total annual rainfall of each district of Tamil Nadu (30
districts). Neverthless the contribution from south-west monsoon (June-September) to
Tamil Nadu is around 32 per cent and it benefits Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal,
Kanyakumari, The Nilgiris, Vellore and parts of Villupuram, Cuddalore, Karur,
Thiruvallur and Perambalur districts.
If any negative deviation from normal rainfall occurs in Tamil Nadu either during North
East monsoon season or during south west monsoon season, in an year, the water
availability in Tamil Nadu would affect three major water sources of irrigation viz.,
canals, wells and tanks. The normal rainfall in Tamil Nadu is 46.4, 140.9, 334.0 and 459
mm respectively for cold weather period (January-February) hot weather period (March-
May), south-west monsoon period (June-September) and north east monsoon period
(October-December).
The study on measured rainfall for the past four years from the year 2000 indicated that
continuous meterological drought occurred in both the monsoons that led to agricultural
drought in Tamil Nadu against the normal pattern of continuous four years normal
rainfall followed by one year deficit rainfall. This situation has driven to think on the
development of alternate crops to Tamil Nadu.
In the past, because of the sound soil health, limited human population, and
unlimited water availability, farmers have their own set of cropping pattern in command
areas, tankfed areas, well-irrigated areas and dryland areas. Because of changing rainfall
pattern over years due to deforestation, urbanization, over population etc., groundwater
depletion is triggered to be faster. Considering them it is time to reduce the area under
rice by 20 per cent and for sugarcane by 40 per cent to accommodate other demanding
crops like oilseeds, pulses, cotton, maize etc., The aim of substituting rice and sugarcane
4
by other crops is not only because of shrinking water resource, but also due to the fact
that surplus in rice and sugarcane production achieved in the State of Tamil Nadu.
Hence, it is imperative to design alternate cropping pattern based on soil and

climatic resources in addition to social requirements of Tamil Nadu.
Scientists from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University have prepared a document

for alternate cropping pattern for command areas, tank fed areas, well irrigated areas and
dryland areas with reference to normal rainfall year (+19 to -19% from normal rainfall),
moderate drought year (-19 to -59% from normal rainfall) and serve drought year (-59 to
-99% from normal rainfall). The rainfall forecast for the forth coming season may be
culled out from India Meteorological Department long range forecast and seasonal
climate forecast of Department of Agricultural Meteorology of Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University and accordingly the suggested optional crops could be recommended and
adopted.
The document was presented before Hon'ble Ministers for Agriculture and
Finance, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Member Secretary State Planning Commission,
Agricultural Production Commissioner and Secretary to Government, Department of
Agriculture and Special Commissioner to Department of Agriculture during January
2004. A policy paper on the need of alternate cropping pattern to Tamil Nadu was
submitted to Government of Tamil Nadu.
The document was circulated among all District Joint Directors of Agriculture
and got refined for ground truth condition and brought as publication which will be very
useful to the farming community of Tamil Nadu.
Many scientists from TNAU have contributed their knowledge in preparing this
document, for whom we record our sincere gratitude.
The users are requested to critically analyse the content of the publication and
your feed back is highly valid in terms of further improvement to be made in this
document for larger scale practical adoption.
Before introducing the suggested cropping pattern, the biological feasibility,

agronomic adoptability, on farm compatability, community compatability (village
compatability) economic viability and socio-cultural acceptability have to be assessed in
real sense.
AUTHORS
5
INTRODUCTION
From time immemorial due to the good soil health and plentiful water availability, Tamil
Nadu farmers have a set cropping pattern in command areas, tank-fed areas and well
irrigated areas, which predominantly as in for paddy, sugarcane, coconut and other
hydrophilic crops. Due to the changing rainfall pattern over the years, ground water
depletion, lack of flows in the perennial rivers, scarcity of labour and hike in wages, the
existing cropping pattern has ceased to be economically viable. Considering the scarce
water availability, it is time now to reduce the area under rice, sugarcane, banana and
other hydrophilic crops in order to accommodate other less water intensive crops like
oilseeds, pulses, including cotton and maize and cover more area. The State has also
experienced drought both during Southwest and Northeast Monsoon seasons
consecutively for the past 4 years from 2000. This was compounded by lack of flows in
rivers due to various reasons as it is a lower riparian state.
Presently, there is greater intra and inter season rainfall variability causing
agricultural drought consecutively for the past 4 years from 2000. If the ground water
exploitation continues still further at the present level, due to continuous drought, all the
blocks in Tamil Nadu would come under the dark category.
The existing traditional cropping pattern may not be viable in the coming years
because of continuous ground water depletion, the deterioration in soil health, change in
rainfall pattern, high cost of cultivation, lack of river water flows, implications of WTO
etc. Hence, it is the time to design a new alternate-cropping pattern based on the agro -
climatic zone. This must be demonstrated in the farmer’s holdings by a massive research
cum extension in order to effectively utilise the natural resources and also to stabilize
productivity and profitability.
Agriculture in Tamil Nadu
Area coverage
Land Utilisation / Cropping Intensity in Tamil Nadu (Lakh ha.)
Sl. No Item 1990-1991 1995-1996 2000 2001-2002

-2001
1 Total area 130.19 130.04 129.91 129.91
2 Cultivable waste 2.90 3.48 3.52 3.87
3 Current fallows 12.49 12.93 11.34 10.26
4 Other fallows 10.44 11.30 12.28 14.09
5 Net area sown 55.78 53.42 53.03 51.72
6 Cultivable area (2+3+4+5) 81.61 81.13 80.17 79.94
7 Area sown more than once 10.53 9.25 10.34 10.53
6
8 Gross cropped area (5+7) 66.32 62.67 63.38 62.26

9 Cropping Intensity 118.9 117.3 119.5 120.3
10 Ratio of net sown area to 68.34 65.84 66.15 64.70
cultivable area (5/6) % (indicating
extent of use of cultivable area)
The net sown area has declined over the last 10 years from 55.78 lakh ha. to
51.72 lakh ha. The cultivable area also declined from over 81.50 lakhs ha. to around 80
lakh ha. With the cropping intensity remaining around 118 to 120, the gross cropped
area declined from over 66 lakh ha. to little over 62 lakh ha and in the past 10 years
period it has been nowhere near the cultivable area of around 80 lakh ha.
Area under Irrigation
The total net irrigated area in Tamil Nadu is 26.9 lakh hectares. Among the three
irrigation resources viz., wells, tanks and canals, the area irrigated by wells has been
increasing significantly both in absolute and relative terms. Decline in canals and tanks
were more or less compensated by the significant growth in the areas irrigated by wells.
Tamil Nadu agriculture largely depends on Southwest and Northeast monsoons and also
release of adequate water in river Cauvery and comfortable storage position in the major
reservoirs of the state. Taking advantage of the Southwest monsoon, large-scale
coverage of oilseeds, pulses and cotton crops are taken up under rain-fed cultivation in
the state. Though rice is cultivated mainly under irrigated conditions, substantial area is
also brought under semi dry cultivation in Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and
Ramanathapuram districts, where sowing is taken-up utilising early rains of the South-
West monsoon, later sustained by irrigation using tank water. The Northeast monsoon
rains are also very crucial for recharge of sub soil water
Rainfall
The actual rainfall received during 2003 is compared with normal rainfall and actual
rainfall received during the last year (2002) in the following Table.
(mm)
Normal Actual Rainfall Deviation: %
Sl. No Season
Rainfall 2002 2003 Normal Last Year
1 Winter (Jan.-February) 36.7 70.0 8.7 (-) 76.2 (-) 87.5
2 Summer (April-May) 134.2 85.8 124.9 (-) 6.9 (+) 45.5
Southwest monsoon
3 331.6 185.4 329.7 (-) 0.5 (+) 77.8
(June-September)
Northeast monsoon
4 464.7 407.2 404.7 (-) 12.9 (-) 0.6
(October-December)
Total 967.2 748.4 867.8 (-) 10.2 (+) 15.9
7
The rainfall received during 2003 was more or less normal with a deviation of
only -10.2 per cent from the normal rainfall. However, it was 15 per cent more
compared to the previous year (2002), even though shortfall during months like Sept. (
-40.30%) and Dec.(-76.4%) created lot of water stress for the Samba paddy crop.
8
The rainfall received during the last six years is given below:
Normal Rainfall : 967.2 mm

1998 : 1036.4 mm
1999 : 837.3 mm
2000 : 847.5 mm
2001 ; 774.7 mm
2002 : 748.4 mm
2003 : 867.8 mm
The short fall during the crucial months during 2003 coupled with deficit rains during
the previous years (1999-2000 and 2001-2002) had resulted in poor storage position in
the reservoirs and depletion of ground water level. This has had a cumulative cascading
effect.
The rainfall situation is also not favourable for the past two years. The actual
rainfall registered during the last six years was far less than the normal rainfall of 967.2
mm (a moving average based on last 5 years annual rainfall). In fact during 2001 and
2002 the immediately preceding years of 2003, the rainfall received was less than
normal by around 20 per cent and 22 % respectively. Besides, the uncertainty in release
of water in Cauvery worsened the problem. The ground water situation is also not very
encouraging with 287 blocks out of the total of 384 blocks categorized either as dark or
grey. Thus, the declining land area (in fact the cultivable land area that consists of net
sown area, total fallows and cultivable waste declined over a 10 years period from 81.61
lakhs hectares to 79.94 lakh hectares) and the dwindling water resources point to the
problems that Tamil Nadu agriculture confronts at the current juncture. Such an extreme
situation calls for resolute action on a firm footing. The Honourable Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu has therefore; suggested to the farmers to go in for alternate crops that
require less water which at the same time assure reasonable returns.
Such a scenario only shows that with a little adjustment, it is possible for the state
and its farmers to tide over the crisis situation. The key to the success lies on how we
perceive the present grave situation, prepare ourselves in the form of placing a policy
framework that encourages alternate crops tailored to the various regions into which our
state is divided.
Monsoon rainfall performance in seven agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu
A study was undertaken to understand the performance of both monsoon rainfall

(Southwest and North east) in Tamil Nadu from the year 2000 (by the Dept.of
Agrl.Meteorology, TNAU, Coimbatore-3). The study was undertaken for agroclimatic
zone wise and the results are presented hereunder.
North Eastern Zone

9
The study indicated that out of eight seasons in four years (south west monsoon and
North east monsoon of 2000 to 2003) four districts viz., Kanchipuram, Thiruvallur,
Cuddalore and Thiruvannamalai recorded below average rainfall in seven seasons.
Overall deviation from normal rainfall in this agro climatic zone was (-) 16.9% for the
past eight seasons. Negative anomalies found in at least 3 out of 4 North east monsoon
seasons in the past four years in all the districts of this agro climatic zone.
North Western Zone
This zone is to be mostly benefited from Southwest monsoon rainfall. but in the study
period between 2000 and 2003 in 3 of the 4 Southwest monsoon seasons, these district
did record below average rainfall (-3 to -58%). These district in addition recorded below
average rainfall from (-) 3 to (-) 49% in all the four North east monsoon seasons.
Western Zone
This zone consists of Erode, Coimbatore, Karur, Dindugul and Theni districts. These
districts in Tamil Nadu are well known for low annual rainfall record and the annual
average rainfall is around 650 mm. The study indicated that six out of eight seasons had
below average rainfall in Erode, Coimbatore and Karur districts. Karur was mostly
affected district, recording below average seasonal rainfall in all the eight seasons of the
study period from (-) 2 to (-) 76 percent.
Southern Zone
Madurai, Ramnad, Vridhunagar, Sivagangai, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi form this

zone. Out of eight seasonal rainfall study from 2000 to 2003, seven seasons had below
average rainfall (-) 14 to (-) 76 in Virdhunagar and Thoothukudi districts, while below
seasonal rainfall was recorded for six seasons in Madurai and five seasons each in
Ramnad and Sivagangai districts respectively. The over all deficiency in the last four
years for this agroclimatic zone was (-) 16.9 percent.
Cauvery Delta Zone
This zone consists of six districts viz., Trichirapalli (part of district), Perambalur (part of
district), Pudukottai (part of district). Thanjavur, Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur.
Nagapattinam and Thiruvarur district recorded deficit rainfall from (-) 3 to (-) 61% in all
the eight seasons of study. while it was deficit in six seasons in Trichirapalli, Perambalur
and Thanjavur districts. The over al deficit in rainfall at this zone is computed to (-) 16.8
percent over the past four years.
High Rainfall Zone

10
The district Kanyakumari is the only one district that falls under this zone. This district
is meteorologically known for bi modal heavy rainfall area. Interestingly in all the
seasons, except Northeast monsoon 2002, this district recorded below average rainfall
from (-) 4 to (-) 83 percent.
Hilly and High Altitude Zone
This zone is mostly dominated by South west and North east monsoon seasonal rainfall.
Except North east monsoon 2003, in all the seven seasons, the rainfall deficit was from
(-)7 to (-) 64%.
The over all study indicated the following
1) Continuous meteorological drought occurred in both season of four years study

period in all the district of Tamil Nadu against the regular pattern of four years of
normal seasonal rainfall followed by one year deficit rainfall. This must be the
reason for lesser surface run off in the geographical (130069 km2)area of Tamil
Nadu. Scientifically from the information of different types of hydrographs of
catchments, it might be due to two reasons.
2) Rainfall intensity is lesser than rate of infiltration and
3) Volume of infiltered water is lesser than soil moisture deficiency in all the four
years of study (eight seasons)
This situation has created water crisis in Tamil Nadu presently.
Historic cultivation Pattern
The historic cultivation practice especially in Cauvery delta region, Tamarabarani

basin, etc. is rice during Rabi and Kharif seasons. The rice crop, which uses a lot of
water must be limited to Rabi in future, since it is the only crop that can be grown in
water logged condition.
Impact of lack of river flows

Position of water level in Mettur Dam (Last 12 Years)
Sl. Year DAM OPENING OUT FLOW (TMC) DAM CLOSING

No
Date Water Capacity For Surplus Total Date Capacity
level (ft) (TMC) Irrigation
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)
1 1991-92 21.07.91 84.20 46.27 250.626 10.534 261.160 28.01.92 72.222
2 1992-93 12.06.92 99.30 63.94 328.797 6.769 335.566 28.01.93 64.092
3 1993-94 12.06.93 95.75 59.47 202.591 0.000 202.591 28.01.94 60.523
4 1994-95 12.06.94 97.18 61.25 333.721 46.735 380.456 28.01.95 32.018
5 1995-96 03.07.95 74.07 36.30 197.977 0.000 197.977 28.01.96 5.000
11
6 1996-97 26.07.96 50.75 18.29 174.191 0.000 174.191 28.01.97 62.440

7 1997-98 12.06.97 97.38 61.50 219.671 21.667 241.338 28.01.98 75.667
8 1998-99 20.06.98 105.40 72.04 252.891 0.000 252.891 28.01.99 36.878
9 1999-2000 01.07.99 87.33 49.65 223.179 1.383 224.562 05.02.00 71.490
10 2000-01 12.06.00 104.08 70.23 272.292 25.548 297.840 28.01.01 58.626
11 2001-02 12.06.01 98.09 62.39 201.878 0.000 201.878 02.02.02 18.310
12 2002-03 06.09.02 66.86 30.06 96.057 0.000 96.057 20.02.03 6.850
13 2003-04 07.10.03 72.26 34.69 54.674 0.000 54.674 05.01.04 7.700
(Up to Jan, 2004)
Till 1974, we were receiving about 280 TMC of water every year. Afterwards, the flows
started becoming variable.
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IMPACT
Date of release of water and its impact
Sl. Year Date of Coverage of crop in Lakh Ha.

No opening Kuruvai Samba Thaladi Total
1 1991-92 21.7.91 0.59 5.09 0.57 6.25
2 1992-93 12.6.92 1.67 3.97 1.67 7.31
3 1993-94 12.6.93 1.40 4.29 1.28 6.97
4 1994-95 12.6.94 1.68 3.94 1.38 7.00
5 1995-96 3.7.95 0.86 3.92 1.30 6.08
6 1996-97 26.7.96 0.44 5.12 0.43 5.99
7 1997-98 12.6.97 1.13 4.48 0.98 6.59
8 1998-99 20.6.98 1.18 4.48 0.97 6.63
9 1999-2000 1.7.99 0.96 4.65 0.88 6.49
10 2000-2001 12.6.2000 1.26 4.37 1.12 6.75
11 2001-2002 12.6.2001 1.30 4.22 1.15 6.67
12 2002-2003 6.9.2002 0.51 3.98 0.52 5.02
13 2003-2004 7.10.2003 0.47 3.53 0.42 4.42
The area under Kuruvai paddy in delta districts was only 0.46 lakh ha. against the
normal area of 2.07 lakh ha., recording a steep fall by nearly 80%. Similarly, in Samba,
against the normal area of 3.72 lakh Ha. the coverage was 3.53 lakh ha. of which 1.24
Lakh ha.. was direct sown crop. It is note worthy that the direct sowing technique to save
water and curtail the cropping period in Paddy popularised by the department in 2002
has become popular. During Thaladi, only 0.42 lakh ha. was brought under cultivation
against the normal area of 1.77 Lakh ha.. in these districts. As a result, only 4.42 Lakh
ha. was brought under paddy cultivation against the normal area of 7.56 Lakh ha. in the
delta districts. In such a situation, the Mettur reservoir scheduled to be opened on 12th
June was opened only on 7.10.2003 and closed on 5.1.2004 due to inadequate storage
position. Thus, the survival of the standing paddy crop due for harvest during the
February 2004 was largely affected due to non receipt of further rains.
Agro climatic zones
Tamil Nadu has been divided into 7 agroclimatic zones based on type of soils, climate
and irrigation. The drought situation that prevailed including crop loss during the last 3
years necessitated the development of an alternative cropping pattern in place of the
hydrophilic crops viz. Paddy, Banana and Sugarcane. The details of alternate zonal
cropping pattern for the seven agro-climatic zones formulated by Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University has been drawn up in consultation with the District Joint
13
Directors of Agriculture. It is suggested for three types of scenarios viz.; Normal

Rainfall, Moderate Drought and Severe Drought.
While an Alternative Cropping pattern was announced by the Hon. Chief Minister in
2003 to combat the failure of the Kuruvai season, this policy is further refined now as a
result of experience gained to ameliorate and tackle future adverse seasonal conditions
as also to have alternate crops for cultivation in a normal season so that farmer can get
higher profit also.
Meteorological Forecast
The forecast for normal rainfall is +19 to -19, moderate is –19 to –59 and below
-59 to - 19 indicates severe drought. These figures are the deviation from average
rainfall. The distribution of rain is also plays a vital roll in crop productivity. Seasonal
climate forecast for each season will be issued by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Meteorology Department 15 days before the commencement of each season.
South-West monsoon : 15th of May

North-East monsoon : 15th of September.
The cropping pattern corresponding to the forecast will be implemented by the

extension departments viz. the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture and Agricultural
Engineering.
The greater inter and intra season rainfall variability causing drought periodically
in turn causes hydrological drought, followed by agricultural drought and socio-
economic drought. Tamil Nadu is at the forefront of implementation of new
technologies that enhance water use efficiency. Development of many crop varieties ,
which use minimal water and are drought resistant has taken place. The alternate
cropping pattern tailored to the Agro climatic zone will effectively utilise the available
natural resources with maximum efficiency. Fodder crops and horticulture have also
been built in wherever feasible. Any policy needs continuous refinement as conditions
keep changing in the real world. Ceteris is never paribus. This refinement will also be
done as when necessary.
This new cropping pattern it is hoped will improve productivity and profitability
of the primary sector. It is hoped that this policy will solve the problem of declining
water availability and lead to sustainable agriculture for a better tomorrow.
14
15
CROPPING PATTERN
OPTIONS FOR
AGRO CLIMATIC
ZONES OF
TAMIL NADU
16
I. North Eastern Zone

1. Kancheepuram district
Mean annual rainfall (mm) - 1253.8

Cold weather period (Jan.-Feb) - 27.2
Summer (March-May) - 66.7
South West monsoon season (June-Sept) - 462.7
North East monsoon season (Oct.-Dec.) - 697.2
a. Tankfed areas : Tank Alluvium - Heavy clay and laterite soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - rice (Jan.-April)

Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - rice (Jan.-April)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan) - maize (Jan.-April)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/sesame/pearl millet/vegetables (lablab,
clusterbean, brinjal) (Aug.-Nov.) - pulses (Dec.-Mar)
Severe drought year : • Wheat / fodder maize/fodder cowpea/vegetables (lab
lab / cluster bean / bhendi) (Nov.-Feb.)
b. Well irrigated areas : Laterite, red and black soils
Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane

(Jan.-Nov.) - rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut
(June-Sep./Oct.) - 3 year rotation
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - rice (Jan.-April.) - groundnut
(April-June)
• Rice (Aug.-Nov.)-rice (Dec.-March) - rice(Mar-July)
• Banana (July-Aug.) - ratoon banana (Sep.-Aug.)
Vegetables (Sep.-Feb.) - Maize (Feb.-May) - 3 year
rotation
17
Normal year : • Rice/vegetables/marigold(June-Oct.) - maize

(Oct.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - cabbage / knolkhol (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep) - rice (Oct-Feb)– pulses (Feb-May)
• Rice/vegetables/marigold(June-Oct.) - maize
(Oct.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) - gingelly
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane
(June-Sep./Oct.) - 3 years rotation
• Sambangi (Tuberose) (June-May) - 2 year rotation
• Sunflower (May-Aug.) – marigold (Sep.-Dec.)
• Maize (June-Sep.) – marigold (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses
(Feb.-May)
• Chrysanthemum (May-March) - ratoon
chrysanthemum - 2 years rotation
• Sweet sorghum** (Jun-Sep) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb) –
Gingelly (Feb-May)
• Vegetables (Jun.-Sept.) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) –
pulses (Feb-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) –
Sweet sorghum** (Feb-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – Jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Vegetables / sunflower / maize (May-Aug.) – gingelly
(Oct.-Jan.) - green manure (Feb.-March)
• Vegetables (May-July) - maize/sunflower
(Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut / gingelly (Jan.-April)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
(under drip irrigation)
• Maize (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb) – pulses
(Feb-Apr)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet/sorghum/Periwinkle*/senna* (July-Oct.) -
wheat (Nov-Feb)-clusterbean / watermelon (Feb-May)
• Jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
c. Rainfed areas : lateritic, red and black soils
Existing : • Pearl millet (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)

• Gingelly (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses (Dec.-Mar.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - ragi (Nov.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - gingelly(Dec.-Mar.)
18
Normal year : • Maize (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)

• Rice (July-Nov.)
• Groundnut / maize (July-Nov.)
• Aswagantha* (June-Jan.) - pulses (Jan.-April)
• Groundnut (July-Oct.) - coriander (Nov.-Jan.)
• Gingelly(June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) – gingelly (Dec.-Mar.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize + pulses (July-Dec.) - pulses (Jan.-April)
Severe drought year : • Horsegram / pearl millet / pulses / ragi / minor millet
(Oct.-Jan.)
2. Thiruvallur district

19
a. Tankfed areas : Tank alluvium (Heavy clay and red soils)
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / groundnut (Jan.-April)

Normal year : • Rice/Vegetables/watermelon (Aug.-Jan.)- groundnut/
gingelly /pulses (Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Ragi/maize/pearl millet & clusterbean (Aug.-Jan.) -
pulses / sesame/ vegetables /watermelon (Feb.-April)
• Pulses (June-Sep.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.)
• Tapioca (Aug.-May)
Severe drought year : • Wheat/fodder (Nov.-Feb.)
b. Well irrigated areas : Red and laterite soils
Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane

• Rice (April-Aug.) - groundnut (Sep.-Dec.) -
vegetables/gingelly (Jan.-March)
• Banana (July-May) - ratoon banana (June-March) -
vegetable (April - July) - maize (July-Oct.) - rice
(Oct.-Jan.) - 3 years rotation
20
Normal year : • Rice (April-Aug.) - groundnut (Sep.-Dec.) -

vegetables / gingelly (Jan.-March)
• Vegetables (June-Oct.) - maize (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses
(Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - cabbage / knolkhol
(Oct.-Feb.) - Pulses (Feb.-May)
• Maize (Jun-Sep)-marigold (Oct-Feb)-pulses (Feb-
May)
chrysanthemum - 2 years rotation
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.)-groundnut (Feb.-Apr)-gingelly (April
- June)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sep) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb) –
Gingelly (Feb-May)
pulses (Feb-May)
Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
• Banana (July-May) - ratoon banana (June-March) -
vegetable (April - July) - maize (July-Oct.) - rice
(Oct.-Jan.) - 3 years rotation
: • Vegetables (May-July) - maize/sunflower/ groundnut /
Moderate drought year pulses /sesame/pearl millet/water melon (Aug.-Jan.)
• Vegetables (May-July) - maize/sunflower
(Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut/gingelly (Jan.-April)
(Feb-Apr)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet/sorghum / Periwinkle*/ senna*/vegetables
(lab lab / cluster bean / bhendi) (July-Oct.) - wheat /
vegetables (lab lab /cluster bean/ bhendi / water
melon) (Nov.-Feb.)
c. Rainfed areas : laterite and red soils

21
Existing : • Dry rice (June-Aug.) - pulses / vegetables / gingelly

(Sept.-Jan.)
• Pulses (June-Sep.) – groundnut / gingelly (Sep.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) – gingelly (Oct.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Dry rice (June-Aug.)-maize/Vegetable/ groundnut /
pulses (Sept.-Jan.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses/gingelly (Oct.-Feb.)
• Pulses (June-Sep.) - groundnut / gingelly (Sep.-Feb.)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)
• Aswagandha* (June-Jan.) pulses/lablab (Feb.-May)
• Dry rice (June-Aug.)-maize/vegetable/ groundnut /
pulses (Sept.-Jan.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/sunflower/groundnut/pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Tapioca + groundnut (June-Feb.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses / gingelly (Oct.-Feb.
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / ragi / horsegram / sunflower / minor
millets/pulses / aloe* (Oct.-Jan.)
3. Villupuram district

a. Command areas (Sathanur) - Heavy clay and sandy soils

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/gingelly (Jan.-April)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly (Jan.-April)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan) – pulses/sesame/maize (Jan.-April)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/pearl millet (Aug.-Dec.)-pulses (Jan.-March)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / fodder (Oct.-Jan.)
• Vegetables (lab lab / cluster bean / bhendi) (Oct.-an.)
for heavy soils
b. Tank fed areas : Tank alluvium (Heavy clay and laterite soils)
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Jan.-April)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – pulses (including dewgram) (Jan.-
Apr.)
Moderate drought year : • Pearl millet (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April)
22
Severe drought year : • Wheat / fodder (Nov.-Feb.)
c. Well irrigated areas : Laterite, red and black soils

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly
(April - June)
Normal year : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) – ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.)
- rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June - Sep./Oct.) - 3
years rotation
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly
(April - June)
• Maize (June-Sep) – marigold (Oct.-Feb.)- pulses
(Feb.-May)
(Feb.-May)
• Vegetables (Jun.-Oct) – sugarbeet* (Nov.-Feb) –
pulses (Feb-May)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) – ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.)
- rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June - Sep./Oct.) - 3
years rotation
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sep) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb) –
Gingelly (Feb-May)
pulses (Feb-May)
Moderate drought year : • Vegetables (lab lab / cluster bean / bhendi) (May-July)
- maize/sunflower (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut / gingelly
(Jan.-April)
(Feb-Apr)
Severe drought year • Pearl millet / sorghum / Periwinkle*/ senna* (July-
Oct.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.) – lab lab / cluster bean /
bhendi / watermelon (Feb.-May)
23
d. Rainfed areas : Laterite, Red and Black soils

Existing : • Pearl millet (June - Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Maize /pearl millet (June-Sep.)-groundnut (Oct-Feb)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Ashwaganda* (June-Jan)-pulses (lablab) (Feb-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (heavy soils)/sunflower + pulses (dewgram) /
gingelly (Oct.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / horsegram / sunflower / minor millets /
pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
4. Thiruvannamalai district

a. Command areas (Sathanur) - Heavy clay and sandy soils

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly(Jan.-April)
Normal year : • Rice/maize (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/gingelly (Jan.-Apr.)
Moderate drought year : • Groundnut / maize (Aug.-Dec.) - pulses (Jan. - Apr)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / fodder (Oct.-Jan.)
• Cluster bean/vegetable beans (Oct-Jan.) in heavy soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly

(Apr.-June)
24
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly

(Apr. - June)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.) -
rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep.) –
3 years rotation
• Vegetables (June-Oct.) - maize (Oct.-Jan.) - cotton /
pulses (Feb.-May)
(Feb.-May)
pulses (Feb-May)
Moderate drought year : • Vegetables (May-July) - maize/sunflower
(Aug.-Dec.) - pearl millet / groundnut / gingelly/
palmarosa (Jan.-April)
(Feb-Apr)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / Periwinkle*/ senna* (July-
Oct.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.) - cluster bean / lab lab /
bhendi /water melon (Feb.-May)
c. Rainfed areas : Red, laterite and heavy clay soils

Normal year : • Groundnut / maize (June-Sep.); Groundnut / pulses /
fingermillet (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (heavy soils) / sunflower + ragi/pulses
(Oct.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / horsegram / minor millets / pulses (Oct.-
Jan.)
• Aloe* (Oct. -Jan)
5. Vellore district

25

a. Tankfed areas : Tank alluvium (Heavy clay and red soils)
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Jan.-April)

Normal year : • Rice/vegetables (Aug.-Jan.) - gingelly/ pulses (Feb.-
May)
Moderate drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / ragi /
maize (Feb.-May)
Severe drought year : • Wheat / fodder (Nov.-Feb.)
Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.)-

rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./Oct.) -
3 years rotation
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – sesame/
pulses/maize / greens (April-June)
• Banana (July-Aug.) - ratoon banana (Sep.-Aug.) -
vegetable (Sep.-Feb.) - maize (Feb.-May) 3 years
rotation
26
Normal year : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-Nov.)-

rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./Oct.) -
3 years rotation
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) - sesame/
pulses/maize (April - June)
(Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - cabbage / knolkhol (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep.) – marigold/ ragi (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (Feb.-May)
chrysanthemum (2 years rotation)
pulses (Feb-May)
• Banana (July-Aug.) - ratoon banana (Sep.-Aug.) -
vegetable (Sep.-Feb.) - maize (Feb.-May) 3 years
rotation
Moderate drought year : • Vegetables (May-July) - maize/sunflower / ragi
(Aug-Dec.) - groundnut/gingelly (Jan.-Apr.)
(Feb-Apr)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet/sorghum/Periwinkle*/ senna* (July-Oct.) -
wheat (Nov.-Feb.) - cluster bean / bhendi / lab lab /
watermelon (Feb.-May)
c. Rainfed areas : Red and laterite soils

Existing : • Pearl millet / sorghum (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-
Feb.)
Normal year : • Pearl millet/sorghum(June-Sep.)-groundnut (Oct-Feb.)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)
• Aswagantha* (June-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (heavy soils) / sunflower/ gingelly (Oct.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / horsegram / sunflower / minor millets /
pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
27
6. Cuddalore district

a. Command Areas (Chidambaram and Kattumannarkoil areas) : Heavy clay soils

Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly
(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-Apr)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-
Nov.) - rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./Oct.)
- 3 years rotation
Normal year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses/gingelly
(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-April)
• Maize /vegetables/pulses/sesame/green manure
(June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
Nov.) - rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./Oct.)
- 3 years rotation
Moderate drought year : • Maize/vegetables/sesame/green manure
(Jun.-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Feb.) - gingelly (Feb.-May)
Severe drought year : • Millets/green manure/gingelly (June-Sep.) - maize/
fodder (Oct.-Feb.) – gingelly (Feb.-May)
b. Tankfed areas : Tank alluvium (Heavy clay soils)

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Jan.-Apr.)
Normal year : • Rice/vegetables (Aug.-Jan.) - gingelly/ pulses (Feb.-
May)
Moderate drought year : • Pearl millet + cluster bean (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses
(Feb.-April)
Severe drought year : • Wheat / fodder / pulses (Nov.-Feb.)
c. Well irrigated areas : Laterite, red and black soils

28
Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-

Nov.) - rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./
Oct.) 3 years rotation
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-Apr.) – gingelly
(Apr.-June)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly
(April - June)
(Feb.-May)
(Feb.-May)
pulses (Feb-May)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Jan.-
Nov.) - rice (Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./
Moderate drought year : • Vegetables (May-July) - maize/sunflower
(Aug.-Dec.) groundnut gingelly (Jan.-April)
(Feb-Apr)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / Periwinkle*/ senna* (July-
Oct.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.) - cluster bean / bhendi /
lab lab/ watermelon (Feb.-May)
d. Rainfed areas : Laterite and black soils

• Gingelly(June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - gingelly(Oct.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Maize/pearl millet (Jun.-Sep)-groundnut (Oct-Feb)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses / gingelly (Oct.-Jan.)
• Ashwagandha (June – Jan.)
(June-Jan.) - pulses/gingelly (Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (heavy soil) / sunflower + dewgram/ sesame/
varagu (Oct.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / horsegram /sunflower / minormillets /
pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
29
• Perennial crop - 12% of cultivable area

Mango, sapota, jack, casuarina, cashew, Jatropha*, gliricidia, simarouba
• Dairy, sheep and poultry
• Sericulture
• Biofuel crops are recommended only with industrial tie-up
• Medicinal plants are recommended only with buy back arrangement
30
II. North Western Zone
1. Dharmapuri district

a. Command areas (Krishnagiri Reservoir Project) : Red and Heavy clay soils
Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Dec.-March)

Normal year : • Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - greengram / cowpea
(Feb.-April)
• Bhendi / cluster bean / water melon (June-Sep.) -
rice / ragi (Dec.-March)
Moderate drought year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Dec.-March)
• Green manure / pulses / radish/ clusterbean / lab lab
/ bhendi (May-Aug.) - rice (Aug.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Cowpea / minor millet / fodder (Oct.-Jan.)
b. Well irrigated areas : Red and black soils
Existing : • Tapioca (Jan.-Dec.)

• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - wheat / cole vegetables
(Oct.-Feb.) - pulses / gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) - pulses/gingelly (Feb.-May)
31
Normal year : • Tapioca (Jan.-Dec.)

• Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) - pulses / gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Coleus* (June-Nov.) - maize (Dec.-March)
• Vegetables / gherkins (June-Nov.) - ragi
(Dec.-Mar.)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Jan.) – gingelly
(Feb.-May)
• Annual moringa (June planting)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb) –
Sweet sorghum* / gingelly (Feb-May)
• Pulses (Apr-Jun) – onion (Aug-Dec) – Sweet
sorghum* (Jan-Apr)
• Fodder (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb)
– gingelly (Feb-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – sugarbeet* (Sep-Feb.)-
Sweet sorghum*/gingelly (Feb-May)
• Pulses (Apr-June) – onion (Aug.-Dec.)-Sweet
sorghum* (Jan.-Apr.)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – jatropha* (Sept. Sowing)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept.) – sugarbeet*
(Sept.-Feb.) – gingelly (Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Fodder / pulses (March - May) - vegetables
(June-Oct.) - groundnut (Nov.-Feb.)
• Ragi / maize / minor millets (June-Sep.) - wheat /
clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Nov.-Jan.) - capsicum
/ hybrid tomato (Feb.-May)
• Jasmine/neerium*/stevia*/agathi (June planting)
• Fodder (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing) (under
drip irrigation)
• Maize (June-Sept.) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet / ragi / clusterbean / lab lab /
bhendi /wheat (Aug.-Feb.)
c. Rainfed areas : Red and black soils
Existing : • Tapioca (May - Jan.)

• Groundnut + pulses / sunflower / castor / sorghum /
ragi / samai/ kudiraivali (May-Oct.) - horsegram
(Nov.-Jan.)
32
Normal year : • Tapioca (May-Jan.)

• Ragi / groundnut / sunflower / castor / sorghum +
redgram + mochai / ragi / samai / kudiraivali (May-
Oct.) - horsegram (Nov.-Jan.)
• Rainfed tomato (June-Sep.) - horsegram
(Oct.-Dec.)
Moderate drought year : • Groundnut spreading /sunflower/redgram/samai
(June-Sep.) - horsegram / wheat (Oct.-Dec.)
• Castor / redgram + pulses (July - Dec.)
Severe drought year : • Samai / fodder / senna* / aloe* /castor (July-Dec.)
• Castor + pulses (July-Dec.)
2. Salem district

33
a. Command areas : Heavy clay and red soils
Existing : • Turmeric (June-March) - fallow

Nov.) - rice (Dec.-March)
• Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - rice (Dec.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - cotton (Dec.-May) / gingelly /
groundnut (Dec.-March)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - cotton (Dec.-May)/ gingelly/
groundnut (Dec.-March)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.)- greengram/cowpea(Feb.-Apr)
• Bhendi / cluster bean / water melon (June-Oct.) -
rice (Dec.-March)
• Turmeric (Jun.-March) – fallow
Moderate drought year : • Green manure / pulses (May-Jul) - rice(Aug.-Jan.)
• Millets /pulses (June-Aug.) - rice (Aug.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Cowpea / fodder sorghum (Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
Existing : • Turmeric (June-March) - fallow

• Tapioca (Nov.-Oct.) - short time fallow
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/groundnut (Feb.-Apr)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)/gingelly (Feb.-
May)
• Rice (June-Oct.) - ragi / groundnut / gingelly (Nov.-
Feb.)
• Rice (April-Aug.) - rice (Sep.-Jan.) - fodder
sorghum (Jan.-March)
34
Normal year : • Tapioca (Nov.-Oct.) - short time fallow

• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June) / gingelly
(Feb.-May) / groundnut (Feb.-May)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / groundnut
(Feb.-April)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - wheat / cole vegetables /
ragi (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses/ gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Coleus* (June-Nov.) - maize (Dec.-Mar.)
• Vegetables / gherkins (June-Nov.) - groundnut
(Dec.-March) - green manure (April-May)
• Vegetables (Nov.-Feb.) - pulses / gingelly
(Feb.-June) groundnut (July-Oct.)
• Pulses (Apr-Jun) – onion (Aug-Dec) – sweet
sorghum* (Jan-Apr)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb)
– gingelly (Feb-May)
Moderate drought year : • Tapioca (Nov.-Oct.) - short time fallow
• Groundnut/castor/sunflower (June-Sep.) - ragi/
fodder sorghum (Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
• Ragi (June-Sep.) - maize (Oct.-Jan.) - hybrid tomato
(Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - wheat / cole vegetables
(Oct-Jan) -hybrid tomato/green chillies (Feb-May)
• Jasmine / stevia* / emplica* / neerium* (June
planting)
• Fodder (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (October sowing)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum/pearl millet/pulses (July-Oct.) -
wheat (Nov.-Feb.)

35
Existing : • Tapioca (June-Feb.)

• Groundnut + pulses (May-Sep.) - sorghum + pulses
(Oct.-Feb.)
• Rainfed tomato (June-Sep.) – horsegram (Oct.-Jan.)
• Sorghum/maize/ragi/pearl millet (May-Sep.) -
Pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Groundnut + castor (June-Jan.)
Normal year : • Tapioca (June-Feb.)
• Groundnut + pulses (May-Sep.) - sorghum + pulses
(Oct.-Feb.)
• Rainfed tomato (June-Sep)-horsegram (Oct.-Jan.)
• Sorghum / ragi / maize / pearl millet (May-Sep.) -
pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Castor (May-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
Moderate drought year : • Spreading groundnut / sunflower / castor / redgram
(June-Sep.) - horsegram (Oct.-Jan.)
• Castor (May-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Pearl millet / sorghum + pulses/maize + greengram
(May-Aug.) - horsegram (Oct.-Jan.)
• Castor + pulses (May-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum/pearl millet/ragi/minor millets/pulses/
fodder (May-Dec.)
• Castor + pulses (July-Jan.)
3. Namakkal District

a. Command areas (Mettur stanely reservoir and canals) : Red and Heavy clay soils
Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Feb.)

• Rice (June-Sep.) - green manure (Oct.-Nov.) - Rice
(Dec.-May)
• Rice (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Nov.-March)
• Sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.) - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-
Oct.) (2 years rotation)
• Banana (July-June)
• Banana (Dec.-Nov.)
• Betel vine (Jan.-Dec.)
36
Normal year : • Bhendi / cluster bean / water melon (June-Sep.) -

rice (Dec.-March)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - greengram / cowpea
(Feb.-April)
• Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Feb.)
• Rice (June-Sep.) - green manure (Oct.-Nov.) - rice
(Dec.-March)
• Sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.) - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-
• Banana (Dec.-Nov.)
• Rice (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Nov.-March)
• Betel vine (Jan.-Dec.)
Moderate drought year : • Green manure/pulses (June-July)-rice (Aug.-Jan.)
• Pulses (June-Aug.) - groundnut (Nov.-Feb.)
• Tapioca (Dec.-Nov.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum/cowpea/minor millets /fodder (Oct-Jan.)
Existing : • Tapioca (Jan.-Dec.)

• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)
• Sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.)
• Pulses (April - June) - onion (Aug.-Dec.) - sorghum
(Jan.-April)
• Turmeric (May-Jan.)
• Banana (July-June) – ratoon banana (July-June) – 2
years rotation
• Groundnut (April-July) - maize (Aug.-Nov.) - ragi
(Dec.-March)
37
Normal year : • Coleus* (June-Nov.) - maize (Dec.-March)

• Tapioca (Jan.-Dec.)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)
• Sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.- ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.)
• Pulses (April-June) - onion (Aug.-Dec.) - sorghum
(Jan.-April)
• Banana (July-June) - ratoon banana (July-June) – 2
years rotation
• Groundnut (Apr-Jul)-maize(Aug-Nov.)-ragi (Dec-
Mar)
• Pulses (Apr-Jun) – Onion (Aug-Dec) – Sweet
sorghum* (Jan-Apr)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Nov-Feb) –
gingelly (Feb-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – sugarbeet* (Sep-Feb.)-Sweet
sorghum*/gingelly (Feb-May)
• Pulses (Apr-June) – onion (Aug.-Dec.)-Sweet
sorghum* (Jan.-Apr.)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – jatropha* (Sept. Sowing)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept.) – sugarbeet*
(Sept.-Feb.) – gingelly (Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Ragi/maize/groundnut (June-Sep.) - wheat / cole
vegetables (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses / gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Tapioca (Jan.-Dec.)
• Fodder / pulses (May-Aug.) - groundnut (Sep.-Dec.)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - fallow
• Vegetables (May-Aug.) - maize (Aug.-Nov.)
• Arali / stevia* / Jatropha* /agathi (Sep.-June)
• Annual moringa (June sowing)
• Fodder(Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing) (under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet / pulses (Aug.-Feb.)
• Wheat (Nov.-Feb.)
38
Existing : • Tapioca (June-May)

• Groundnut + castor / pulses (May-Jan.)
• Groundnut + castor (May-Jan.) - horsegram (Oct.-
Jan.) as an intercrop
• Sorghum + pulses (June-Dec.)
Normal year : • Tapioca (June-May)
• Rainfed tomato (June-Sep.) - horsegram
(Oct.-Dec.)
• Groundnut + castor / pulses (May-Jan.)
• Groundnut + castor (May-Jan.) - horsegram (Oct.-
Jan.) as an intercrop
• Sorghum + pulses (June-Dec.)
Moderate drought year : • Tapioca (June-May)
• Spreading groundnut + castor (May-Jan.) -
horsegram (Oct.-Jan.) as an intercrop
• Sorghum / maize / pearl millet / pulses (May-Oct.)
• Castor + pulses (June-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millet + pulses / castor / fodder / pulses (July-
Dec.)
• Perennial crops : 20 % of cultivable area

Mango, amla, anona, tamarind, sapota, gliricidia, simarouba
• Dairy, sheep and poultry
• Sericulture
39
III. Western Zone
1. Namakkal district (Tiruchengodu Taluk only)

a. Command areas (Mettur East Bank canal river pumping areas), red and black
soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug-Nov)-groundnut/pulses/gingelly (Dec-

March)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) – ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-
Jan.) 2 years rotation
• Turmeric (May-Feb.)
• Green manure (June-July) - rice (Aug.-Dec.) –
gingelly (Dec.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - groundnut / pulses / gingelly
(Dec.-March)
(Feb.-Jan.) 2 years rotation
• Turmeric (May-Feb.)
• Green manure (June-July) - rice (Aug.-Dec.) –
gingelly (Dec.-Feb.)
• Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - maize
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Tapioca (Oct.-Sep.)
• Maize (June-Sep.) - vegetables / sunflower / gingelly
(Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (March-May)
• Groundnut (Nov.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / fodder sorghum / pulses / gingelly/
sorghum (Sep.-Dec.)
b. Well irrigated areas : Red soils

40
Existing : • Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / millets / vegetables

(Feb.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - green manure
(Oct.-Nov.) - pulses / gingelly (Dec.-March)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-Aug.)
• Sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.) - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-
Jan.) 2 years rotation
• Banana (July-June) - ratoon sugarcane (July-June) 2
years rotation
• Groundnut (April - Aug.) - maize (Sep.-Nov.) - ragi
(Dec.-March)
Normal year : • Annual Moringa (June) - moringa ratoon (2 years
rotation)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / coleus*/vegetables
(Feb.-April)
• Turmeric (May-Jan.) - maize / hybrid tomato / green
chillies / capsicum / coleus* (Jan.-April)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / millets / vegetables
(Feb.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - green manure
(Oct.-Nov.) gingelly/ pulses (Dec.-March)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-Aug.)
• Sugarcane (Nov.-Oct.) – ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-
Jan.) – 2 years rotation
• Banana (July-June) – ratoon banana (July-June) – 2
years rotation
• Groundnut /sunflower (Apr.-Aug.) - maize (Sep.-
Nov.) - ragi (Dec.-May)
• Cotton (Aug-Jan) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May) –
greenmanure (Jun-July)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* /sunflower
(Sep.-Feb) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb.-May)
41
Moderate drought year : • Tapioca (Dec.-Nov.)

• Maize (Aug.-Nov.) - vegetables / beans / pulses
(Dec.-March)
• Annual moringa (June) - moringa ratoon -
(2 years rotation)
• Pulses (June-Sep.)-fallow (Oct.)-wheat (Nov.-Feb)
• Groundnut (Nov.-Feb.) - cotton (Feb.-Aug.)
• Pulses (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / sorghum / castor / fodder /
gingelly(June - Dec.)
Existing : • Tapioca (June-March)

• Groundnut + castor (May-Jan.) - horsegram
(Oct.-Jan.) as an intercrop
• Millets (June-Sep.) - maize / pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
Normal year : • Millet (June-Sep.) - maize / pulses (Oct.-Jan.)

• Millet (July-Oct.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.)
• Tapioca (June-March)
• Groundnut + castor (May-Jan.) - horsegram
(Oct.-Jan.) as an intercrop
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum / maize + pulses (Aug.-Jan.)
• Tapioca (June-Dec.)
• Groundnut + castor (May-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pulses/pearl millet/fodder/minor millets
(Oct.-Jan.)
2. Erode district

a. Command areas : Lower Bhavani Project (LBP), Parambikulam Aliyar Project

(PAP), Amaravathy Reservoir Project (ARP) : Red and black soils
42
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – gingelly (Feb.-April)

Nov) (2 years rotation)
• Turmeric (May-Jan.) - rice (Feb.-April)
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (May-Feb.) (2
years rotation)
(Feb.-May)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - gingelly/groundnut (Feb.-April)
Nov.) (2 years rotation)
• Turmeric (May-Jan.) - rice (Feb.-April)
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (April-Feb.)
(2 years rotation)
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Groundnut (Dec.-March) - fallow
• Tapioca (June-Dec.) - fallow
• Cotton (Sep.-Feb.) - fallow
• Tobacco (Sep.-Jan.) - fallow
• Maize (June-Sep.) - fallow
• Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / sunflower / gingelly
(Oct.-Feb.) - fallow
• Fodder sorghum (June-Sep.) - fallow
• Pearl millet (Sep.-Dec.) - fallow
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / fodder sorghum / pulses / vegetables
(Aug.-Feb.) - fallow
• Gingelly (July-Oct.) - fallow for Bhavani division
• Horsegram (Sep.-Dec.) - fallow
b. Well irrigated areas : Red and heavy clay soils
Existing : • Sugarcane (March-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-

Dec.) - millets / cotton (Jan.-April) / (Jan.-May)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec.) - coleus* / vegetables (Jan.-July)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - maize / hybrid tomato /
capsicum / green chillies (Jan.-April)
• Banana (June-April) - ratoon banana (May-Feb.) (2
years rotation)
• Annual moringa (June) - (2 years rotation)
43
Normal year : • Sugarcane (March-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-

Dec.) - millets / cotton (Jan.-April) / (Jan.-May)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec) - coleus* /vegetables (Jan.-July)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - maize / hybrid tomato /
capsicum / green chillies (Jan.-April)
• Banana (June-April) - ratoon banana (May-Feb.) (2
years rotation)
• Annual moringa (June) - (2 years rotation)
• Cotton (Aug-Jan) – sweet sorghum* (Feb-May) –
Sweet sorghum* (Mar-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sep.-Feb) –
Sweet sorghum* (Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - vegetables (Jan.-April)
• Pulses (Aug.-Nov.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.)
• Marigold/ origonum
• Pulses (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (September sowing)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum / fodder cumbu (Aug.-Dec.)
• Horsegram (Sep.-Dec.)
• Senna* (Sep.-Jan.)
• Minor millets (Sep.-Jan.)
44

Existing : • Maize / sorghum (June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - fallow
• Pearl millet (Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
• Castor / Redgram (July-Feb.) - fallow
Normal year : • Maize / sorghum (June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Pearl millet (Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
• Castor / redgram (July-Feb.) - fallow
Moderate drought year : • Castor + groundnut (July-Feb.)
• Pearl millet / sorghum/ pulses/gingelly (July-Oct.)
• Maize (July-Oct.)
• Horsegram (Sep.-Dec.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / phillipesara (Sep.-Jan.)
• Castor / redgram/ pulses (July-Feb.)
• Fodder / minor millets (Oct.-Jan.)
• Senna* / Periwinkle* (Oct.)
3. Coimbatore district

(PAP), Amaravathy Reservoir Project (ARP) : Red and black soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)

• Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.)
Nov.) - rice (Dec.-March) – 3 years rotation
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - rice (Dec.-March)
• Banana (June-May) - ratoon banana (June-May) – 2
years rotation
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - Maize
(Feb.-May)
45
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Nov.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)

• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - rice (Dec.-March)
• Banana (June-May) - ratoon banana (June-May) – 2
years rotation
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Dec.)
• Vegetables / sunflower / gingelly (Oct.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / fodder sorghum / pulses (Aug.-Feb.)

Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - ratoon sugarcane (Dec-
• Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) - sorghum (March-June)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)
• Pearl millet (March-June) - maize (July-Oct.) -
pulses (Nov.-Jan.)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - ragi (Feb.-June) - pulses
(June-Aug.)
Normal year : • Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) - sorghum (March - June)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - ragi (Feb.-June) - pulses
(June-Aug.)
Nov.) - rice (Dec.-March) - 3 years rotation
Sweet sorghum* (Mar-May)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sep.-Feb) –
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – jatropha* (Sep. sowing)
• Groundnut (June-Sept.) – sunflower (Sept.-Dec.)
–vegetable crops /maize (Dec.-March)
• Coleus* (Jan.-July) – maize (Aug.-Nov.) – green
manure (Dec.-Jan.)
46
Moderate drought year : •Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) - sorghum (March-June)

•Ragi (Feb.-June) - pulses (June-Aug.) - groundnut
(Sep.-Dec.)
• Pulses (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum / sorghum / pulses (Aug.-Feb.) -
fallow
Existing : • Maize / millets (July-Sept.) - pulses (Sep.-Dec.)

• Cotton (July-Nov.) - wheat (Nov.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (July-Oct.) - fallow
• Maize (July-Oct.) – bengalgram / sunflower (Nov.-
Feb.)
Normal year : • Maize / millets (July-Sept.) - pulses (Sep.-Dec.)
• Maize (July-Oct.) – bengalgram / coriander (Nov.-
Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum / maize + pulses (Aug.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pulses / bengalgram / horsegram / fodder
/ minor millets (Oct.-Jan.)
Note : Larger areas in Mettupalayam taluk is with banana under irrigation as a cropping pattern
change. Heavy lodging due to wind is seen during March. Avoid June planting and
encourage December – January planting.
4. Karur district

(PAP), Amaravathy Reservoir Project (ARP) : Red and black soils for Karur
district except Kulithalai taluk
47
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)

• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - gingelly/ pulses / cotton / sorghum
(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - rice (Feb.-May)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - rice (Jan.-April)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.)
- rice (Dec.-March) – 3 years rotation
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (April-Jan.) – 2
years rotation
• Betelvine (June-18 months) - rice (Dec.-March) (2
years rotation)
Normal year : • Turmeric (May-Dec.) - rice (Jan.-April)
• Rice (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – gingelly / pulses / cotton / sorghum
(Feb.-May)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.)
- rice (Dec.-March)
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (April-Jan.) – 2
years rotation
• Betelvine (June-18 months) - rice (Dec.-March) (2
years rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum / maize (June-Sep.) - fallow
• clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / sunflower / pulses /
gingelly (Oct.-Feb.) - fallow
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / fodder sorghum / pulses / gingelly (Aug.-
Feb.) – fallow
For Kulithalai taluk : Red soils

(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut / pulses /
(Jan.-April) – gingelly (April-July)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)
• Green manure (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.)
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana
(April - Jan.) - 2 years rotation
• Betelvine (June-18 months) - rice (Dec.-March) - (2
years rotation)
48
Normal year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly

(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut/sesame/pulses
(Jan.-April) – gingelly (April-July)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)
Nov.) - rice (Dec.-March) - 3 years rotation
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (April-Jan.) -
cotton (Feb.-June) - 3 years rotation
• Betelvine (June-18 months) - rice (Dec.-March) - (2
years rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum / pulses / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi -
gingelly (Oct.-Jan.)
• Coleus* (June-Dec.) - pulses (Jan.-March)
Severe drought year : • Millets / green manure/sunflower / gingelly/
clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / pulses (June-Sep.)
b. Well irrigated areas

Karur district except Kulithalai Taluk : Red soils
Existing : • Sugarcane (March-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-

Dec.) - millets / cotton (Jan.-April) - (2 years
rotation)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec.) - millets / vegetables
(Jan.-April) - groundnut (May-July)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - sesame/sorghum/maize
(Jan.-April)
• Annual moringa (June-March) - ratoon moringa
(2 years rotation)
• Rice (Aug.-Dec.) - Gingelly/ Groundnut / pulses
(Jan.-April)
49

Dec.) - millets/cotton (Jan.-April) - (2 and half years
rotation)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec.) - millet / vegetables
(Jan.-April) - Groundnut (May-July)
• Turmeric (May-Dec.) - gingelly/ sorghum / maize
(Jan.-April)
• Annual moringa (June-sowing) - ratoon moringa (2
years rotation)
• Rice (Aug-Dec)-sesame/groundnut/pulses (Jan-Apr)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec.) – Sweet sorghum* (Jan. – Apr.)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – sugarbeet* (Sept.-Feb.) –
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
/ pulses (Jan.-April)
• Annual moringa (June sowing)
• Sorghum (June-Sep.)- clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
/ pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Pulses (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (September sowing)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / gingelly/ pearl millet / minor millets /
fodder (Oct.-Feb.)
For Kulithalai Taluk : Red soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut / sunflower / cotton /

pulses / gingelly (Dec.-April)
• Vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.)
• Sugarcane (March-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-
Dec.) - rice (Jan.-April)
rice (Jan.-April) - 2 years rotation
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut / sunflower / cotton /
pulses / gingelly (Dec.-April)
Dec.) - rice (Jan.-April)
rice (Jan.-April) - 2 years rotation
Moderate drought year : • Maize / sorghum (Aug.-Dec.) - sunflower / gingelly
(Dec.-April)
50
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet + pulses (Sep.-Jan.)

• Bhendi (July-Dec.) - watermelon/cluster bean /
cucumber (Jan.-April)
c. Rainfed areas
Karur district except Kulithalai taluk : Red and black soils
Existing : • Maize/millets (July-Aug.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)

• Groundnut + pulses (July-Oct.) - fallow
• Millets + pulses (Aug.-Nov.) - fallow
• Annual moringa - ratoon (2 years rotation)
Normal year : • Maize / millets (July-Aug.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Groundnut + pulses / castor (Aug.-Dec.) - fallow
• Annual moringa - ratoon moringa (2 years rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum / maize + pulses (Aug.-Jan.) - fallow
• Castor + pulses (July-Jan.) - fallow
• Gingelly/ horsegram (Nov.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet / fodder / minor millet
(Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
• Horsegram / wheat (Nov.-Feb.) - fallow
For Kulithalai taluk : Red and black soils
Existing : • Groundnut + redgram (July-Feb.)

• Sorghum / pearl millet + redgram (July-Feb.)
Normal year : • Groundnut + redgram (July-Feb.)
• Sorghum / pearl millet + redgram (July – Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet + redgram (July-Feb.)
• Horsegram / gingelly / gingelly / wheat (Oct.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Horsegram / gingelly / gingelly / wheat (Oct.-Feb.)
5. Dindigul district (Except Natham and Dindigul taluks)

a. Command areas : Heavy clay soils

51
Existing : • Rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pearl millet/vegetables/sesame/

pulses/groundnut (Feb.-May)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - single crop
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (April-Jan.) –
2 years rotation
Normal year : • Rice (Oct.-Jan.) - vegetables / groundnut/ gingelly
(Feb.-May)
• Sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - single crop
• Banana (June-March) - ratoon banana (April-Jan.) –
2 years rotation
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Nov.) - pulses/ gingelly (Dec.-Mar.)
• Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / sunflower / gingelly
(Oct.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Pulses / gingelly/ fodder sorghum / pearl millet
(Aug.-Feb.)
Existing : • Sugarcane (March-Jan.) - single crop

• Sugarcane (Feb.-Dec.) - single crop
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - vegetables / millets / groundnut /
pulses (Jan.-April)
Normal year : • Sugarcane (Feb.-Dec.) - single crop
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - vegetables / millet / groundnut /
pulses (Jan.-April)
• Annual moringa (June sowing) - ratoon moringa - (2
years rotation)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec.) - coleus* (Jan.-July)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) – sweet sorgum (Feb.-May) –
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept.) – sugarbeet* (Sep.-Feb.) –
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
(Jan.-April)
• Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Oct.-Jan.) - millets /
groundnut (Jan.-April)
• Chloriosa (July)
52
Severe drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Oct.-Feb.)

• Minor millets / fodder (Aug.-Dec.)
c. Rainfed areas
Existing : • Groundnut / maize / millets / pulses (July-Oct.) -

pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.)-maize/pulses (Oct.-Nov.)
Normal year : • Groundnut + pulses / maize / millets / pulses (July-
Oct.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.)-maize/pulses/sunflower
(Oct.-Nov.)
Moderate drought year : • Castor + pulses (July-Jan.)
• Millet / pulses (July-Aug.) - fallow
• Maize (Sep.-Dec.) - fallow
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet / minor millets / pulses /
sunflower / fodder (Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
6. Theni district

a. Command areas (Vaigai Periyar project) : Red and alluvial soils
Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - green manure /

pulses (Feb.-April)
Normal year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - green manure /
pulses (Feb.-April)
Moderate drought year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – green manure (Feb.-May)
• Maize (June-Sep)-rice (Oct.-Jan.)-pulses(Feb.-May)
Severe drought year : • Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / sunflower
(Sep.-Jan.) - green manure (Feb.-March)

53
Existing : • Maize (Aug.-Nov.) - sorghum / pearl millet

(Dec.-Feb.) - vegetables (March-July)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - vegetables / pulses / groundnut
(Jan.-March)
• Cotton (Aug.-Jan.) - millets / vegetables / groundnut
(Feb.-June)
Dec.) - green manure (Jan.-Feb.) - 2 years rotation
Dec.) - green manure (Jan.-Feb.) – 2 years rotation
(Feb.-June)
• Annual moringa (June Sowing) - ratoon moringa -
(2 years rotation)
• Maize (Aug.-Nov.) - sorghum / pearl millet
(Dec.-Feb.) - vegetables (March-July)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - vegetables / pulses / groundnut
(Jan.-March)
• Cotton (Aug.-Dec.) - coleus* / vegetables /
neerium* (Jan.-July)
• Marigold*(Jun-Oct) –coleus*/vegetables(Nov-Apr)
• Cotton (Aug-Jan) – sweet sorghum* (Feb-May) –
• Groundnut (Jun-Sept) – sugarbeet* (Sep-Feb) –
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Nov.) - sorghum / pearl millet
(Dec.-Feb.) -clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Mar.-
July)
(Feb.-June)
• Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Oct.-Feb.) - fallow
• Pulses(Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing) (under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / fodder / pulses / green manures
(Aug.-Jan.)
Existing : • Millets / maize / groundnut / pulses (June-Oct.) -

horsegram (Nov.-Feb.)
• Pearl millet / sorghum / maize + pulses
(Aug.-Nov.) - pulses (Dec.-Feb.)
54
Normal year : • Millets / maize / groundnut / pulses (June-Oct.) -

horsegram / pulses (Nov.-Feb.)
• Castor + pulses (July - Jan.)
Moderate drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / maize / pulses (Aug.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / pearl millet / fodder sorghum / minor
millets (Oct.-Jan.)
• Wheat (Nov.-Feb.)
• Perennial crops : 15% of cultivable area

Sapota, amla, tamarind, mango, singapore kapok
• Essential oil crops / lemongrass / citronella (wherever possible)
• Dairy, Rabbit and Sheep
• Sericulture
55
IV. Cauvery Delta Zone
1. Thanjavur district

a. Command areas : Alluvial soils

(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Jan.-April) – gingelly
(April-June)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly/ cotton
(Jan.-April)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-Dec.) – 2 years
rotation
Normal year : • Maize / pulses / vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-
Jan.) - pulses / cotton / gingelly/ sunflower (Feb.-
May)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-Dec.) - 2 years
rotation
• Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi /pulses /
gingelly/ green manure (June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-
Feb.) - pulses / cotton / sunflower (Feb.-May)
• Coleus* / Periwinkle*/ senna* (Sep.-Jan.)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – rice (Oct-Jan) –
pulses/gingelly (Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Millets / green manure / gingelly (June-Sep.) - maize
/ fodder (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
b. Well irrigated areas (Filter point well) : Alluvial and laterite soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Dec.) - groundnut (Dec.-March)

• Vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Feb.)
56
Normal year : • Banana (June-May) - ratoon banana (May-June) -

(drip-Fertigation) - 2 years rotation
• Vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses
(Feb.-April)
• Vegetables / onion (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) -
maize / pulses (Feb.-May)
• Gloriorsa* (2 year rotation) / coleus*
• Flower crops (June planting)
• Maize (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing) (under
drip irrigation)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sep.) – rice (Oct.-Jan.) –
pulses / gingelly (Feb-May)
• Maize/vegetables (Jun-Sep) – jatropha* (Sep.
sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - gingelly/ soybean (Dec.-Mar.)
• Pulses / groundnut / gingelly (June-Sep.) - rice
(Oct.-Feb.) - sunflower / maize (Feb.-May)
• Fodder (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing) (under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (July-Dec.) -
watermelon / cucumber (Jan.-April)
• Periwinkle*/ senna* (Jun-Sep.)
• Pulses / green manure (June-Sep.) - upland rice
(Oct.-Feb.)
2. Thiruvarur district

Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses /

gingelly(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Jan.-April) -
gingelly(April-June)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.)-pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-April)
• Sugarcane -ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-Dec.) - 2 years
rotation
57
Normal year : • Maize/pulses/vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice

(Oct.-Jan.) - pulses / cotton / gingelly/ sunflower
(Feb.-May)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Feb.-Dec.)
• Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses /
gingelly(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / pulses/
gingelly/green manure (June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Feb.)
- pulses / gingelly/ cotton (Feb.-May)
• Coleus* / Periwinkle*/ senna*
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – Rice (Oct-Jan) –
Pulses/gingelly(Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Millets / green manure / gingelly(June-Sep.) –
upland rice / maize/fodder (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses /
sunflower (Feb.-May)
b. Well irrigated areas (filter point well) : Alluvial soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Dec.) – groundnut (Dec.-Mar.)

vegetables (June-Sep.) – rice (Oct.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Pulses/groundnut/gingelly (June-Sep.) - rice
(Oct.-Feb.) - groundnut / greengram/pulses
(Feb.-May)
• Maize/vegetables (Jun-Sep)-jatropha* (Sep. sowing)
• Rice (Aug.-Dec.) – groundnut (Dec.-Mar.)
vegetables (June-Sep.) – rice (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - sesame/soybean
(Dec.-March)
• Pulses/groundnut/gingelly (June-Sep.) - rice
• Fodder (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing)
Severe drought year : • Pulses/sesame/green manure (June-Sep.) - upland
rice(Oct.-Feb.)-pulses/green manure (Feb.-May)
3. Nagapattinam district

58

a. Command areas : Alluvial and sandy soils

(Feb.-May)
(April-June)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-Apr)
• Sugarcane – ratoon sugarcane
(Feb.-May)
• Sugarcane – ratoon sugarcane - 2 years rotation
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / pulses /
sesame/green manure (June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Feb.)
- pulses (Feb.-May)
• Coleus* / Periwinkle*/ senna* (June – Nov.)
pulses/gingelly (Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Millets / green manure / gingelly (June-Sep.) –
maize/fodder (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
b. Well irrigated areas (filter point well) : Alluvial and sandy soils
Existing : • Rice (June.-Sept.) – rice (Oct.-Feb) - pulses (Feb.-

April)
Normal year : • Rice/pulses/groundnut/gingelly (June-Sep.) - rice
(Oct.-Feb.) - groundnut / greengram/pulses
(Feb.-May)
sowing)
• Rice (June.-Sept.) – rice (Oct.-Feb) - pulses (Feb.-
April)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - sesame/soybean (Dec.-Mar.)
• Pulses/groundnut/gingelly (June-Sep.) - rice
• Fodder (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept, sowing) (under
drip irrigation)
59
Severe drought year : • Pulses/sesame/green manure (June-Sep.) - upland

rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses/green manure(Feb.-May)
4. Trichirapalli district


(Feb.-May)
(April-June)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.)-pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-April)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - (2 years
rotation)
(Feb.-May)
rotation)
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/vegetables/pulses/sesame/green manure
(June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Feb.) - pulses / senna*
(Feb.-May)
• Coleus* / Vincea rosea / senna* (June-Nov.)
• Pearl millet / fodder sorghum (June-Sep.) - upland
rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses / senna* (Feb.-May)
Pulses/gingelly (Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Pulses (June-Sep.) - sunflower / coriander / cotton
• Millets/green manure / gingelly (June-Sep.) - maize
/ fodder (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
b. Well irrigated areas : Red, laterite, black and alluvial soils

60
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Jan.-April)

• Banana (Jan.-Dec.) - ratoon banana (Jan.-Dec.) - rice
(Dec.-April)
Normal year : • Banana (June-May) - ratoon banana (May-June)
(Drip-Fertigation)
• Vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) pulses
(Feb.-April)
• Vegetables/onion (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) -
maize / pulses (Feb.-May)
• Gloriossa - (2 years rotation)
• Coleus* (June-Oct)-rice (Nov-Feb.)-pulses (Feb.-
May)
• Flower crops
drip irrigation)
sowing)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Jan.-April)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - sesame/soybean
(Dec.-March)
• Fodder / pulses/ green manure (Aug.-Dec.) -
gingelly/ groundnut / sunflower / sorghum / pearl
millet (Dec.-March)
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (July-Dec.) - water
melon/cluster bean/cucumber (Jan.-April)
• Periwinkle*/ senna* (Jun-Sep.)
c. Rainfed areas : Red, black and laterite soils
Existing : • Groundnut + redgram (Oct.-Feb.)

Normal year : • Groundnut + redgram (Oct.-Feb.)
• Green chilli/cluster bean / bhendi (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Sorghum/millets+pulses /gingelly/cucurbits (Oct-
Feb)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum / minor millets/fodder/coriander
(Oct.-Feb.)
61
5. Perambalur district


(Feb.-May)
(April-June)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) -pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-April)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) -
(2 years rotation)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – cotton +onion /gingelly (Feb.-
May)
Normal year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses /
gingelly(Feb.-May)
• Maize (Pulses) / vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-
Jan.) - pulses/cotton + onion / gingelly/ sunflower
(Feb.-May)
rotation)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - cotton + onion /gingelly (Feb.-
May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/vegetables/pulses/sesame/green manure
(June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / senna*
(Feb.-May)
• Coleus* / Periwinkle*/ senna* (June-Nov.)
Severe drought year : • Pulses (June-Sep.) - sunflower/coriander/cotton
• Millets / green manure / gingelly (June-Sep.) -
maize/ fodder (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
h. Well irrigated areas : Red, black and laterite soils

62
Existing : • Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Dec.) - (2 years

rotation)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Jan.-April)
• Rice (Oct.-Jan.) – gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Banana (Jan.-Dec.) - ratoon banana (Jan.-Dec.) - rice
(Dec.-April)
Normal year : • Banana (June-May) - ratoon banana (May-June)
(Drip-Fertigation)
• Pulses / gingelly (Feb.-April)
• Vegetables / onion (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) -
maize / pulses / gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Gloriossa (2 years rotation)
• Coleus* (June-Oct.) - rice (Nov.-Feb.) - pulses /
gingelly (June-Oct.)
• Flower crops (June planting)
drip irrigation)
• Maize/vegetables (Jun-Sep) – jatropha* (Sept.
sowing)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Dec.) - (2 years
rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Dec.) - gingelly/ soybean / sunflower
(Dec.-March)
• Fodder / pulses / green manure (Aug.-Dec.) -
sesame/groundnut / sunflower / sorghum / pearl
millet (Dec.-March)
• Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) – fallow
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (July-Dec.) - water
melon / cluster bean / cucumber (Jan.-April)
• Periwinkle*/ senna* (June-Sep.)
c. Rainfed areas : Black, laterite and red soils
Existing : • Gingelly (July-Oct.)- cotton + coriander (Nov.-Feb.)

• Gingelly(July-Oct.) - horsegram (Nov.-Feb.)
• Pearl millet / sorghum / maize (July-Oct.) -
coriander / groundnut (Nov.-Feb.)
63
Normal year : • Gingelly (July-Oct.) - cotton + coriander

(Nov.-Feb.)
• Gingelly (July-Oct.) - horsegram (Nov.-Feb.)
• Pearl millet / sorghum / maize (July-Oct.) -
coriander / groundnut (Nov.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Cotton (Aug.-Feb.) - fallow
• Gingelly (July-Oct.) - horsegram (Oct.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum / minor millets / fodder / coriander
(Oct.-Feb.)
6. Pudukottai district

a. Command areas : Alluvial and laterite soils

(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / gingelly/ cotton
(Jan.-April)
• Sugarcane (Jan.-Dec.) - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-
Dec.) – 2 years rotation
• Direct sown rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut
(Jan.-April)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) – gingelly (Jan.-April)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / groundnut / gingelly
(Jan.-April)
(April-June)
(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan-Apr)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Dec.)
• Director sown rice (Aug-Jan)-groundnut (Jan-Apr)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - gingelly (Jan.-April)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / groundnut / gingelly
(Jan.-April)
(April-June)
64
Moderate drought year : • Direct sown short duration rice - (Sep.-Dec.)

• Groundnut / gingelly (Dec.-March)
• Coleus* (June-Nov.) - pulses (Dec.-Feb.)
• Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / pulses /
sesame/green manure (June-Sep) - rice (Aug-Jan.) -
pulses (Feb.-May)
Severe drought year : • Pulses (June-Sep.) - groundnut /gingelly (Sep.-Dec.)
• Millets / green manure / gingelly (June-Sep.) - maize
/ fodder / pulses (Oct.-Feb.)
• Periwinkle*/ senna* (Oct.-Jan.)
b) Tankfed areas : Laterite and red soils
Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April)

• Rice (June-Sep.) - ragi (Sep.-Dec.) - pulses
(Jan.-April)
• Rice (July-Nov.) - ragi/groundnut (Dec.-March) -
fallow
• Ragi (April - July) - rice (July-Nov.) - groundnut/
pulses (Dec.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April)
• Rice (June-Sep.)-ragi (Sep-Dec.)-pulses (Jan.-Apr)
• Rice (July-Nov.) - groundnut / ragi (Dec.-March) -
fallow
• Ragi (April - July) - rice (July-Nov.) - groundnut/
pulses (Dec.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize (Aug.-Nov.) - ragi (Dec.-March) - fallow
• Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (June-Sep.) - rice
(Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
Severe drought year : • Fodder maize/ fodder cowpea / water melon /
cucumber (Oct.-Feb.)
c. Well irrigated areas : Laterite, red and sandy soils

65
Existing : • Groundnut (April-July) - rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses

(Feb.-April)
• Ragi (April-July) - rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses
(Feb.-April)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov. -Dec.) - (2 years
rotation)
• Ragi (April-July) - maize (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-
April)
• Banana - ratoon banana (July-May) - (2 years
rotation)
Normal year : • Groundnut (April-July) - rice (Aug.-Jan.)- pulses
(Feb.-April)
• Ragi (Apr-July)- rice (Aug.-Jan.)-pulses (Feb.-Apr)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Dec.) - (2
years rotation)
• Ragi (April-July) - maize (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-
April)
• Banana - ratoon banana (July-May) - (2 years
rotation)
drip irrigation)
sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Ragi (April-July) - maize (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-
April)
• Watermelon (Dec.-March) - groundnut
(April-July) – fallow
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum / fodder maize / fodder cowpea /
green manure (Oct.-Feb.)
d. Rainfed areas : Laterite and red soils
Existing : • Groundnut + redgram (June-Jan.)

• Varagu + pearl millet (Aug.-Jan.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - ragi (Sep.-Jan.)
• Ragi + castor (June-Jan.)
66
Normal year : • Groundnut + redgram (June-Jan.)

• Varagu + pearl millet (Aug.-Jan.)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - ragi (Sep.-Jan.)
Moderate drought year : • Pulses (June-Sep.) - ragi (Oct.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Fodder sorghum / fodder cowpea/castor / cucurbits
(June-Jan.)
67
7. Cuddalore district : (Chidambaram and Kattumannarkovil)


(Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.)- pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-Apr)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - rice
(Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./Oct.) - (three
years rotation)
Normal year : • Rice (June - Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses /
gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Rice (Aug.-Jan.)- pulses/sesame/cotton (Jan.-April)
• Maize / vegetables / pulses / gingelly / green manure
(June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Dec.-Nov.) - rice
(Dec.-May) - groundnut (June-Sep./Oct.) - (three
years rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
/ gingelly / green manure (June-Sep.) - rice (Aug.-
Feb.) – gingelly (Feb.-May)
Severe drought year : • Millets / green manure / season (June-Sep.) - maize /
fodder (Oct.-Feb.) – gingelly (Feb.-May)
• Perennial trees : 20% of cultivable area

Sapota, amla, cashew, bamboo, mango, casuarina
•Inland fisheries and dairy
68
V. Southern Zone
1. Madurai district

a. Command areas (Periyar Vaigai Project) : Alluvial soils
Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses

(Feb.-April)
• Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - green manure
(Feb.-April)
years rotation)
• Banana - ratoon banana (June-March) - (2 years
rotation)
Normal year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses
(Feb.-April)
(Feb.-April)
years rotation)
rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Pulses / millets (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - fallow
• Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (June-Sep.) - rice
(Oct.-Jan.) – fallow
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – rice (Oct-Jan) – pulses
(Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Maize / millets (Jun-Sep)-pulses/senna* (Oct.-Jan.)
b. Tankfed areas : Red, black and laterite soils

Existing : • Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-Aug.)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - green manure (Feb.-April)
• Rice (Sep.-Dec.) - senna* (Jan.-March)
Normal year : • Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-Aug.)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - green manure (Feb.-April)
• Rice (Sep.-Dec.) - senna* (Jan.-March)
69
Moderate drought year : • Millets / maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi

(June-Oct.) - pulses (Nov.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Millets / gingelly/ fodder crops / pulses / senna* /
minor millets / water melon (Sep.-Feb.)
c. Well irrigated areas : Red, black and laterite soils
Existing : • Vegetables / groundnut (July-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-

Jun)
• Rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April)
• Pearl millet (June-Aug.) - vegetables (Oct.-April)
Normal year : • Vegetables /groundnut (July-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-Jun)
• Rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses (Feb.-April)
• Chilles (Jul-Jan) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
• Chilles (Sep-Feb) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
• Cotton (Feb-May) – Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) –
maize (Oct-Jan)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sep) – jatropha* (Oct.
sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / millets / sunflower / senna* (Oct.-Jan.) -
pulses (Feb.-April)
• Maize (Jun-Sept) – Jatropha* (Sept. sowing) (Under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Millets / fodder/ clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
/ pulses (Oct.-Feb.)
• Jatropha* (September sowing) (Under drip
irrigation)
d. Rainfed areas : Red, black and laterite soils
Existing : • Cotton + pulses (Sep.-Feb.)

• Sorghum/gingelly /groundnut /sunflower (Sep.-Jan.)
Normal year : • Cotton + pulses (Sep.-Feb.)
• Sorghum / gingelly / pulses (Sep.-Jan.) - senna*
(Jan.-April)
• Maize / pulses / coriander / sunflower (Jan.-April)
Moderate drought year : • Pearl millet + clusterbean / coriander / sunflower
(Sept-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Millets + pulses (Sep.-Jan.)
2. Ramanathapuram district
70

71
a. Command areas (system tank areas) : Heavy clay soils

Existing : • Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Jan.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton (Jan.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Rice / ragi / chillies / maize (Sep.-Jan.)
(Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Ragi / kuthiraivali /gingelly(Sep.-Jan.)
b. Tankfed areas : Heavy clay soils

• Rice (June-Sep.) - chillies (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/ clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi /rice/ ragi/
pulses/chillies (Sep.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / gingelly / horsegram / fodder / water
melon (Sep.-Feb.)
c. Well irrigated areas : Red, black and laterite soils

• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-May)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - chillies (Oct.-Feb.)
• Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-May)
• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - chillies (Oct.-Feb.)
• Chilles (Sep-Feb) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
maize (Oct-Jan)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sep)–jatropha* (Oct.sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/chillies /senna* / sunflower (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (March-July)
• Maize (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept.sowing) (Under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets/sesame/horsegram/millets (Sep.-Feb.)
• Jatropha* (Sept.sowing) (Under drip irrigation)
d. Rainfed areas : Red, black and laterite soils

72
Existing : • Upland rice/millets / pulses/groundnut/cotton /

chillies (Sep.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Upland rice/millets / pulses / groundnut / cotton /
chillies (Sep.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Rice/ragi/cowpea/sesame/minor millets/sunflower /
coriander (Sep.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / coriander (Sep.-Jan.)
3. Virudhunagar district

a. Tankfed areas : Heavy clay soils

• Rice/maize (June-Sep.) - chillies (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Maize/ clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (June-Oct.) -
pulses (Nov.-Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / minor millets / gingelly/ fodder / water
melons / gourds/ senna* (Sep.-Feb.)
b. Well irrigated areas : Red, black and laterite soils
Existing : • Chillies / groundnut (Jul-Jan.)-cotton (Feb.-June)

• Pearl millet (June-Aug.) - chillies (Oct.-April)
• Rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (March-July)
Normal year : • Chillies / groundnut (July-Jan.)-cotton (Feb.-June)
• Chilles (Jul-Jan) – sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
• Chilles (Sep-Feb) – sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
• Cotton (Feb-May) – sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) –
maize (Oct-Jan)
sowing)
• Pearl millet (June-Aug.) - chillies (Oct.-April)
73
Moderate drought year : • Maize / chillies / sunflower / senna* /

Periwinkle*(Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (March-July)
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / fodder / minor millets /
clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Oct.-Feb.)
c. Rainfed areas : Red, black and laterite soils
Existing : • Cotton + blackgram / chillies (Sep.-Feb.)

• Sorghum/groundnut /sesame/sunflower (Sep.-Jan.)
Normal year : • Cotton + blackgram / chillies (Sep.-Feb.)
• Sorghum / maize/groundnut /sunflower /
gingelly(Sep.-Jan.)
Moderate drought year : • Pearl millet + cluster bean / minor millets / chillies /
coriander / gingelly/ sunflower (Sep.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / pearl millet / cowpea (Sep.-Jan.)
4. Sivagangai district

Existing : • Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton / pulses / millets /

vegetables / gingelly (Feb.-Aug.)
• Rice (Sep.-Oct.)-groundnut/vegetables (Oct.-Feb.)
Normal year : • Rice (Sep.-Jan.) - cotton / pulses/ millets /
vegetables / gingelly(Feb.-Aug.)
• Rice/groundnut / vegetables / maize (Jun-Sep.) -
chillies (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Millets / maize (Oct.-Jan.) - ragi / maize / gingelly
(Jan.-April)
• Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (June-Oct.) -
pulses (Nov.-Feb.)
(Feb-May)
74
Severe drought year : • Sorghum / maize / pulses / gingelly/ fodder / water

melon / gourds / senna* (Sep.-Feb.)
b. Well irrigated areas : Laterite and sandy soils
Existing : • Groundnut (Jun-Sep.)- vegetables/pulses (Oct-Jan)

• Green manure (Jun-Sep)- rice/groundnut (Oct-Feb)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Dec.) (2 years
rotation)
• Banana (July-June) - ratoon banana (June-March) (2
years rotation)
Normal year : • Groundnut / pulses / vegetables (June-Sep.) - rice
(Oct.-Feb.)
• Groundnut (Jun-Sep.) -vegetables /pulses (Oct-Jan)
• Sugarcane - ratoon sugarcane (Nov.-Dec.) - 2
years rotation
• Banana (July-June) - ratoon banana (June-March) -
(2 years rotation)
• Groundnut (July-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)
• Chilles (Sept-Feb) – sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
maize (Oct-Jan)
sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / groundnut / sunflower (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses /
clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (March-July)
• Maize (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Sept. sowing) (Under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / sorghum / pearl
millet / fodder / minor millets (Oct.-Feb.)
c. Rainfed areas : Black and laterite soils
Existing : • Groundnut + pulses (June-Sep.)-gingelly(Oct.-Jan.)

• Sorghum / groundnut / sunflower / gingelly
(June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
Normal year : • Groundnut + pulses (June-Sep.)-gingelly(Oct.-Jan.)
• Maize/ sorghum / groundnut / sunflower / gingelly
(June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
75
Moderate drought year : • Groundnut + pulses (Sep.-Jan.)

• Pearl millet / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
/ sunflower /sesame(Sep.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Varagu / Sorghum + redgram / pearl millet / cowpea
(Sep.-Jan.)
5. Tirunelveli district

a. Command areas (Thamarabarani Project area) : Alluvial soils
Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses /

gingelly(Feb.-April)
(Feb.-May)
rotation)
Normal year : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses /
gingelly(Feb.-April)
(Feb.-May)
(2 years rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (June-Sep.) - rice
(Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Cowpea / Green manure (June-Jan.)
b. Tankfed area (without wells) : Heavy clay soils
Existing : • Rice (Sep.-Dec.) - pulses (Jan.-April)

Normal year : • Rice (Sep.-Dec.) - pulses (Jan.-April)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / vegetables (Sep.-Dec.) – pulses (Jan.-Apr)
Severe drought year : • Cowpea / green manure (June-Jan.)
76
c. Well irrigated areas : Red and laterite soils
Existing : • Chillies / groundnut / rice (July-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-

June)
Normal year : • Chillies / groundnut / rice (July-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-
June)
• Rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (March - July)
• Chilles (Sept-Feb) – Sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
maize (Oct-Jan)
sowing)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / chillies / sunflower / senna* (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (March - July)
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Millets / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / minor
millets / fodder (Oct.-Feb.)
• Jatropha* (Sept. sowing) (Under drip irrigation)
d. Rainfed areas : Red and black soils

• Sorghum / groundnut / gingelly/ pearl millet /
sunflower (Sep.-Jan.)
• Maize / millets / groundnut / sunflower (Sep.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Coriander / pulses / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi /
minor millets (Sep.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Cowpea / water melon / senna* (Sep.-Jan.)
6. Thoothukudi district

a. Command areas (Thamarabarani project) : Alluvial soils

77
Existing : • Rice (June-Sep.) - rice (Oct.-Jan.) - pulses / green

manure (Feb.-April)
2 years rotation
(Feb.-April)
• Banana (July-June) - ratoon banana (June-March)
(2 years rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (June-Sep.) - rice
(Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Maize / sunflower (June-Sep.) - senna* (Oct.-Jan.)
b. Tankfed areas : Heavy soils

• Maize / rice (June-Sep.) - chillies (Oct.-Feb.)
Moderate drought year : • Chillies (Sep.-Feb.)
• Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / pulses (Sep.-
Feb.)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / gingelly/ fodder / senna* / minor
millets / water melon / gourds (Sep.-Feb.)
c. Well irrigated areas : Red, laterite and sandy soils
Existing : • Chillies / groundnut (Jul-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)

• Pearl millet (June – Aug.) - chillies (Oct.-April)
Normal year : • Chillies / groundnut (July-Jan.) - cotton (Feb.-June)
• Rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (March - July)
• Chilles (Sept-Feb) – sweet sorghum* (Feb-May)
maize (Oct-Jan)
sowing)
• Pearl millet (June – Aug.) - chillies (Oct.-April)
78
Moderate drought year : • Clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi / maize / chillies /

(Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (March - July)
• Maize (Jun-Sept) – jatropha* (Oct. sowing) (Under
drip irrigation)
Severe drought year : • Pearl millet / sorghum / fodder / clusterbean / lab lab
/ bhendi (Oct.-Feb.)
d. Rainfed areas : Red, black and sandy soils

• Sorghum / groundnut / gingelly/ sunflower
(Sep.-Jan.)
• Maize / pearl millet / sorghum / groundnut /
gingelly/ sunflower (Sep.-Jan.)
Moderate drought year : • Sunflower / pearl millet / clusterbean / lab lab /
bhendi (Sep.-Jan.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / pearl millet / cowpea / coriander
(Sep.-Jan.)
• Perennial crops - 20% of total cultivable area

• Annual moringa, curry leaf, sapota, amla, guava, custard apple, mango, Tamarind
and flower crops
• Under well irrigated areas onion and flower crops may be included based on
demand
• Dairy, sheep
• In tankfed it is suggested to include celosia and marigoldduring June if market
prevails
79
VI. High Rainfall Zone

(Kanyakumari District)
a. Command areas (Pechiparai, Perunchani) : Laterite and sandy soils
Existing : • Rice (April-Aug.) - rice (Sep.-March) - fallow

• Rice (June-Oct.)-rice (Oct.-Feb.)-pulses (Feb.-May)
• Banana - ratoon banana (April - Jan.) - (2 years
rotation)
Normal year : • Rice (April-Aug.) - rice (Sep.-March) - fallow
• Rice (June-Oct.) - rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses
(Feb.-May)
• Banana - ratoon banana (April - Jan.) - (2 years
rotation)
Moderate drought year : • Short duration rice (Oct.-Jan.)
• Maize/ clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (Feb.-May)
• Groundnut (Aug.-Nov.)
• Tapioca (Sep.-March)
Severe drought year : • Sorghum/sesame/minor millets/fodder/horsegram
(Oct.-Feb.)
b. Tankfed areas : Laterite soils
Existing : • Rice (June-Oct.)-rice (Oct.-Feb.)-pulses (Feb.-May)

Normal : • Rice / Maize (June-Oct.) - rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses
(Feb.-May)
Moderate drought year : • Maize / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi (Oct.-Feb.) -
pulses (Feb.-May)
• Tapioca (Sept.-Mar.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / pulses / clusterbean / lab lab / bhendi
/ fodder (Oct.-Feb.)
• Castor (Sep.-Feb.)
• Tapioca (Sep.-March)
c. Well irrigated areas : Laterite and sandy soils
Existing : • Tapioca + pulses (Sep.-July)

• Rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
• Banana - ratoon banana (Apr.- Mar.) - (2 years
rotation)
80
Normal year : • Tapioca + pulses (Sep.-July)

• Red banana (June-May)
• Flowers
• Rice (Oct.-Feb.) - pulses (Feb.-May)
• Jatropha* (Jun-July sowing) (Under drip irrigation)
• Sweet sorghum* (Jun-Sept) – tapioca (Sept-July) –
Red banana (July-May) – Two years rotation
Moderate drought year : • Gingelly (Sept.-Dec.) – fallow
• Maize / tapioca / medicinal plants* (Oct.-Feb.) -
fallow
• Pulses (Feb.-May) - fallow
• Castor (Sept.-Feb.) – fallow
• Maize (Jan-Sept) – Sweet sorghum* (Oct-Jan) –
pulses (Feb-May)
Severe drought year : • Pulses / medicinal plants / fodder / miner millets
• Castor (Sep.-Feb.) - fallow
• Gingelly (Sept.-Dec.) - fallow
d. Rainfed areas : Laterite and red soils
Existing : • Tapioca + pulses (April-Dec.)

• Groundnut (June-Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
Normal year : • Vegetables including yam/ medicinal plants (June-
Sep.) - pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Tapioca (April-Dec.)
• Tapioca + pulses (April-Dec.)
Moderate drought year : • Millets + pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Castor (Sep.-Feb.) - fallow
• Gingelly (Sep.-Dec.) – fallow
• Tapioca (April-Dec.)
Severe drought year : • Minor millets / fodder / pulses (Oct.-Jan.)
• Castor (Sep.-Feb.)
• Gingelly (Sep.-Dec.)
• Perennial crops : 30% of the cultivable area

Coconut + vanilla, sapota, vanilla, pepper, cocoa, rubber, jack, cinnamon, clove,
arecanut, mango
• Chillies, capsicum, annual moringa may be encouraged in well irrigated areas
• Anthurium and Gerbera may be grown in shade net house, if market prevails
• Dairy, goat
• Beekeeping
81

82
VII. Hilly and High Altitude Zone
The zone comprises of Nilgiris, Kodaikannal, Shevroys, Elagiri, Jevadhi, Kollimalai,

Palanis and Podhgaimalai. The annual rainfall of this zone is more than 1500 mm. The
soils are mainly lateritic. Plantation and horticultural crops are the predominant crops
being grown in the zone.
Nilgiris
• Reduce 10% area under tea and coffee during next five years
• Replace by rosemary and thyme, potato, cabbage, radish and carrot (grow these
crops in terrace)
• Cut flowers
Kodaikanal
• Lower Palani hills – Coffee, Mandarin, Cocoa, Vanilla, Chowchow, Pineapple,

French beans, Avocado, Cardamom, Pepper
• Cut flowers
• Upper Palani hills – Potato, Pear, Peaches, Plums, Apple Garlic, Cabbage,
Cauliflower, Ginger
83
ANNEXURE I
AGRICULTURAL CROPS
84
Particulars of ruling varieties and hybrids of crops

1. RICE
Varieties/ Duration Season Averag Special features Suitability to Agro

Hybrids (days) e yield climatic zones
(kg/ha)
a) Short duration
ADT 43 110 April-5900 Medium Slender white rice,All districts of Tamil Nadu
May short duration, resistant to except Kanyakumari &
GLH Tuticorin
ADT(R)45 110 April- 6137 Medium Slender white rice,Entire Tamil Nadu except
May Gall midge (biotype 1) Madurai, Dharmapuri,
June-July resistant Theni, Karur, The Nilgiris
May- and Kanyakumari
June
CO 47 110-115 April- 5800 Medium slender white rice, Erode, Thiruvannamalai,
May resistant to blast Dindigul, Cuddaore,
May- Salem, Dharmapuri,
June Coimbatore, Trichy,
June-July Thanjavur and Tuticorin
ASD 20 110 April- 6700 Long slender white rice, All districts of Tamil Nadu
May semi dwarf, non lodging
Dec- Jan alternate to IR 50
Sep-Oct
MDU 5 95 – 100 June-July 4500 Medium slender, white All districts of Tamil Nadu
Sep-Oct rice, drought tolerant. as dry and semidry crop
Jan-Feb Suited for direct seeding suited Ramanathapuram,
Mar- and transplanting Sivagangai, Viruthunagar,
April Tuticorin and Chengalpet
districts
TRY 2 115-120 June-July 5360 Salt tolerant, tolerant to Salt affected soils of entire
Dec- Jan blast, long slender grain Tamil Nadu
TKM 12 115 – July-Aug 3040 Drought resistant, good Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur,
120 Aug-Sept cooking quality suitable for Virudhunagar, Ramnad,
dry and semi dry Thoothukudi and
cultivation Sivagangai
PMK (R) 3 115 Sept-Oct 3025 Drought resistant, suitable Ramnad, Sivagangai,
for direct seeding Virudhunagar and
Thoothukudi
ADTRH 1 115 April- 6400 Long slender, short All districts of Tamil Nadu
(hybrid) May duration high tillering
June-July
ADT (R) 47 118 April- 6200 Medium slender white rice, Throughout Tamil Nadu
May high yielder
May-
June
June-July
85
ADT (R) 48 94-99 June-July 4800 Very early, Long slender Suitable for direct seeding
white rice, better than under water scarce
MDU 5 in quality, contingent situations as
Resistant to stem-borer, well as for transplanting
green leaf hopper and gall for late Kuruvai season in
midge Nagapattinam and
Thiruvarur districts
b) Medium duration
CO 43 135-140 Aug 5200 Fine grain, tolerant to Kancheepuram,
Sep-Oct alkalinity & salinity Thiruvallur, Vellore,
Thiruvannamalai,
Cuddalore, Karur,
Villupuram, Trichy,
Perambalur, Thanjavur,
Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur,
Madurai, Dindigul, Theni,
Ramnad, Kanyakumari,
Salem, Namakkal,
Dharmapuri, Coimbatore,
Erode, The Nilgiris
CO 46 125 Aug 6020 Long slender white rice, Coimbatore and Erode
Sept-Oct resistant to BPH districts
ASD 19 125 Oct-Nov 5800 Short slender white rice, Southern districts
(Pishnam drought tolerant
)
ADT 39 120-125 Late 5600 Medium slender white rice, Kancheepuram,
thaladi in tolerant to blast BLB, leaf Thiruvallur, Vellore,
Cauvery spot Cuddalore, Villupuram,
Delta Trichy, Karur, Perambalur,
zone Thanjavur, Nagapattinam,
Thiruvarur, Pudukottai,
Tirunelveli, Tuticorin,
Kancheepuram, Salem,
Namakkal, Coimbatore
and Erode
ADT 46 135 Sep-Oct 6170 Long Slender white rice, Thanjavur,
field resistant to stem borer, Thiruvannamalai, Theni,
leaf folder and moderately Kancheepuram,
resistant to RTD and brown Pudukottai, Salem,
spot Perambalur, Madurai,
Erode, Coimbatore,
Cuddalore, Dharmapuri
and Trichy districts
I.W. Ponni 135-140 Aug 6750 Fine grain quality rice, All districts of Tamil Nadu
Sampa resistant to RTV
Thaladi
Pishanam
CORH 2 125 July-Oct 6100 Medium slender, white Coimbatore, Pudukottai,
rice, non lodging Madurai, Virudhunagar,
Kancheepuram, Vellore,
Villupuram,
Nagapattinam, Ramnad
and Tuticorin
86
c) Long duration
ADT 44 145-150 Aug-Sept6200 Short bold white rice, All districts
resistant to blast and GLH
2. MILLETS
Varieties Durati Season Average yield Special Suitability to

/ on (kg/ha) features Agro climatic
Hybrids (days) Grain yield Fodder zones
yield
a) Sorghum
CO 26 105 Irrigated : Rainfed : 5000 Rainfed : High yield, All zone of Tamil
-110 Summer Irrigated: 6250 12500 White grain, Nadu except hill
Rainfed : Irrigated: juicy fodder zone
June-July 19000
CO 100 June-July Rainfed : 2493 Rainfed : White grain All sorghum
(S) 28 -105 Sept-Oct Irrigated: 2864 12660 growing districts
April-May Irrigated: of Tamil Nadu
17700
APK 1 105 June-July Rainfed : 2619 Rainfed : Non lodging Southern districts
-110 Sept-Oct 8090 Resistant to of Tamil Nadu as
(Rainfed) downy mildew, rainfed crop
leaf spot and
stem borer
BSR 1 105 June-July Rainfed : 2500 Rainfed : Moderate Western zone of
-110 (Rainfed) -3500 2500-3000 resistance to Tamil Nadu
Dec-Jan Irrigated: 6000 Irrigated: earhead bug (Coimbatore,
(irrigated) -6500 9500-10000 Erode,
Thiruchencode
taluk of Salem
and Karur taluk
of Tiruchirappali)
K8 95 Purattasipatta Rainfed : 2440 Rainfed : Tolerant to Dindigul,
m (Rainfed) 7300 drought, Madurai,
moderate Ramnad,
resistant to Virudhunagar,
shootfly, Sivagangai,
stemborer Tuticorin and
Tirunelveli
COH 2 90 All seasons Rainfed : 3750 Rainfed : Suitable for All zones of
Irrigated: 4250 11250 grain and Tamil Nadu
Irrigated: fodder except Nilgiri.
13250
COH 4 105 Irrigated : Irrigated: 6500 Irrigated: High yield, low Vellore,
-110 Jan-Feb 20000 incidence of Thiruvannamalai,
leaf diseases, Villupuram,
grain mould Cuddalore,
and sugary Coimbatore,
disease. Salem, Erode,
Suitable for Tuticorin, Trichy,
both grain and Dindigul dists.
fodder
87
Paiyur 1 145 June-July Rainfed : 970 Rainfed : Sweet juicy Dharmapuri,

-150 9350 thin straw Salem, Vellore
and
Thiruvannamalai
districts under
rainfed
conditions
Paiyur 2 90-95 Adi Rainfed : 2113 Rainfed : Dual purpose Salem districts
(Rainfed), 8789 red grain
Purattasi(Rain sorghum suited
fed) to rainfed tract
of salem,
Namakkal
district.
Tolerant to
downy mildew
and charcoal rot
diseases.
Varieties / Duration Season Average grain Special Suitability of

(days) yield (kg/ha) features agro-climate
Hybrids
zones
b) Cumbu
CO 7 95-100 Irrigated : June Irrigated : 3000 High yielding Suitable to all
days –July Kg/ha Resistance to Pearl millet
Feb- Rainfed : 2500 downy mildew growing
March Kg/ha districts.
Rainfed : July,
Sept.- Oct.
CO(Cu) 9 80-85 Irrigated : Jan. – Irrigated : 2865 Lengthy ear Suitable to all
Feb. kg/ha heads Pearl millet
Marc- Rainfed : More no. of growing
April 2354kg/ha tillers districts of
Rainfed : June – Resistance to Tamil Nadu
July downy mildew
Sept. –
Oct.
c) Maize
CO 1 105-110 Irrigated : June-July Irrigated : 5250 Resistance to
Rainfed : Sept. – kg/ha downy mildew
Oct. Rainfed : 3500 Suitable for
kg/ha grain and
fodder orange,
flint grains
Hybrid 90-95 Irrigated : June-July Irrigated : 5694 Resistance to All maize
COH(M) 4 Jan. – kg/ha downy mildew growing
Feb. Rainfed : 4251 of Stem borer, districts of
Rainfed : Sept. – kg/ha high yielder Tamil Nadu
Oct.
88
Baby corn 55-65 Irrigated : June-July 6700 kg/ha Suited for All maize
COBC 1 Jan. – (Fresh cobs) green cob growing areas
Feb. Green fodder – consumption 2 of Tamil Nadu
Rainfed : Sept. – 32.3 t/ha -3 cobs/plant
Oct.
d) Ragi
CO (Ra) 14 105-110 Irrigated : Dec.-Jan Irrigated : 2892 High yielding Suitable for all
Apr.-May kg/ha long fingers, ragi growing
Rainfed : June-July Rainfed : 2794 synchronized districts.
Sept.-Oct. kg/ha maturity. Except
Kanyakumari
and Nilgiris
e) Tenai
CO 6 85-90 June – July 1900 Kg/ha Suitable for For all districts
Sept. – Oct. (Rainfed) irrigated and of Tamil Nadu
3850 kg/ha Rainfed
(Irrigated)
CO (Te) 7 85-90 Kharif (Adipattam) 1855 kg/ha Bold grains, Salem,
and Rabi (Purattasi Resistant to Villupuram,
pattam) lodging, Namakkal,
Suitable for Thiruvannamala
rainfed i, Dharmapuri,
condition, Dindigul,
High protein Tuticorin,
(13.62%) and Madurai,
Calcium Vellore,Virudhu
(0.5%), nagar, Erode
Suitable for low and Nilgiri
rainfall and low districts
fertile soils
f) Samai
CO 3 80-85 June – July 1066 kg/ha Suitable for All samai
July- August biscuit making growing
Sept. – Oct. districts of
Tamil Nadu
g) Panivaragu
CO 4 75 July-Aug 1400 kg/ha High tillering –--
Dec-Jan wider
adoptability
h) Varagu
CO 3 120 Rainfed : July – 3000 kg/ha Non-lodging, --
August drought
tolerant.
i) Kuthiraivali
CO 1 75 Rainfed : Sept. – 1750 kg/ha No major pest --
October & disease
Irrigated : Feb. – notice.
March
j) Wheat
89
HW 3094 85-90 15th October to 1st 2364 kg/ha Bread wheat Southern Hills
week of November type, free and areas
transable adjoining to
resistance to hills and plaints
yellow and of Tamil Nadu.
black rust.
COW (W) 1 85-90 Irrigated : 2364 kg/ha Bread wheat Plains and
15thOctober to 15th type, High adjoining areas
November yielding, Rust near to hills and
resistant, hills in Theni,
Having better Dindigul, Karur,
chappathi and Coimbatore,
bread making Erode, Salem,
quality Dharmapuri,
Vellore,
Thiruvannamala
i&
Kancheepuram
dist.
3. PULSES
Varieties / Duration Season Average yields Special Suitability to

Hybrids (days) (Kg/ha) features Agro climatic
Irrigat Rainfed zone
ed
a) Redgram
SA 1 180 June – July -
1250 Long duration All zones *
variety for rainfed
condition, entire
State
CO 5 120 – 130 June – July 1500 700- 800 Photo insensitive All Zones *
Sept. – Nov. moderately resistant Sept. – Nov.
Feb. – to pod fly, root rot, North East and
March SMD Western zone
CO 6 170 – 180 June – Aug - 900 Suitable for pure Throughout the
and mixed crop. state
Tolerant to pod
borer
COPH 2 120- 130 June – July - 1050 Suitable for pure All districts of
Sep – Oct crop in irrigated and Tamil Nadu
Jan- Feb rainfed situations, except Nilgiris
synchronized and
flowering of female Kanyakumari
and male parents
Vamban 1 95 - 100 June – 1200 840 Suitable for single
August harvest. High yield
Feb. – suitable for
March intercropping in
groundnut
90
Vamban 2 170- 180 June - - 1050 High yielding All districts of

August resistant to sterility Tamil Nadu and
mosaic, high protein Coimbatore
20.3%
APK 1 95 – 105 June-July - 905 S h o r t d u r a t i o nVirudhunagar,

Sept-Oct resistant to SMD Ramnad,
Feb-March Sivagangai,
Madurai, Theni,
Thoothukudi,
Tirunelveli,
Trichy, Salem,
Dharmapuri
CO(RG) 7 120 – 130 June – July 1168 915 Photoinsensitive, Coimbatore,
Sept. – Oct high protein content Salem,
Feb. – (23.5%), very low Dindigul,
March incidence of SMD Pudukottai,
and pod fly Namakkal,
Vellore,
Thiruvannamal
ai, Sivagangai,
Theni, Madurai
and Tirunelveli
districts
BSR 1 Perennial June-July - 0.750 Perennial, suitable Virudhunagar,
1st harvest -1.00 kg for entire State Ramnad,
from 150 of green Sivagangai,
days pods per Madurai, Theni,
plant Thoothukudi,
Tirunelveli,
Trichy, Salem,
Dharmapuri
and Coimbatore
VBN (Rg) 3 100-105 All seasons 884 Resistant to Sterility Entire Tamil
Mosaic Disease Nadu. Suitable
(SMD), Tolerant to to all types of
pod borer soil
b) Blackgram
ADT 5 70 April-May 1320 - Resistant to major Cauvery delta,
(Rice diseases like YMV, North East zone
fallows in root rot, leaf crinkle
New virus and pest like
Cauvery stemfly.
Delta zone
of Thanjavur
district)
K1 70 – 75 Sept. – Oct - 700 YMV resistant, Tuticorin,
to Nov – 24.2% protein, Tirunelveli,
Dec suitable for Ramnad and
intercropping in Sivagangai
cotton districts
91
TMV 1 65 – 70 June – Aug. 800 - Resistant to YMV Southern zone

Feb. – and tolerant to root North East and
March rot North West
zone
Vamban 3 65 – 70 June – July 820 775 Resistant to YMV All districts of

Sept. – Oct., Tamil Nadu
Feb. –
March
VBN (Bg) 4 75 - 80 June – July 890 790 High yielder All districts of
Sept. – Oct. Tamil Nadu
Feb. – except problem
March soils and heavy
clay soils
CO 5 70 – 75 June – July 1270 740 High biomass, North East,
Sept. – Oct. resistant to tip North West,
Feb. – blight, tolerant to Western zones
March powdery mildew,
suitable for rainfed
conditions
c) Greengram
ADT 3 65-70 Rice fallow - 1000 Resistant to YMV Cauvery delta
(Jan. – Feb.) -1200 and stemfly and Southern
(Rice zone
fallow)
Paiyur 1 85 – 90 June – July - 700 High grain yield, North East,
Sept. – Oct. low incidence of North West,
Feb. – YMV, suited to Western zones
March rainfed condition
K1 70 – 75 Sept. – Oct. - 670 Tolerant to drought, Rainfed tracts of
suitable for pure and Tuticorin,
cotton based Tirunelveli and
intercropping system Virudhunagar
districts
KM 2 60 – 65 June – July - 760 Tolerant to YMV All zones *
Sept. – Oct. and pod borer
Feb. –
March
VRM(Gg) 1 60 June – July 970 - High yielder, short Vellore and
Sep – Oct duration, high crude Thiruvannamal
protein content, ai districts
resistant to YMV,
stemfly and pod
borer
VBN(Gg) 2 65 – 70 June-July 820 750 High yielder, Entire Tamil
Sep – Oct moderately resistant Nadu
Feb – March to YMV and pod
borer
92
CO 4 85 June – July 1250 – 700-900 High biomass, All zones *

Sept. – Oct. 1500 suitable for rainfed
Feb. – condition
March
CO 6 62 – 67 June – July 1300 980 Resistant to YMV Suited to all
Sept. – Oct. greengram
Feb. – growing tracts
March to Tamil Nadu.
d) Soyabean
CO (Soy) 3 85 – 90 June-July, 1366 Photoinsensitive, Erode and
Sept.- Creamy yellow Coimbatore
October seeds with high oil districts
and protein content,
Resistant to Yellow
Mosaic Virus at field
condition
e) Cowpea
Paiyur 1 90 June – Aug. - 740 Suited to rainfed North East,
Sept. – Nov. tracts North West
and Western
zones
VBN 1 55 – 65 April – May - 950 Suited to rainfed All districts of
June – Aug. conditions, white Tamil Nadu as
Sept. – Nov. grain type rainfed crop
Vamban 2 75 – 85 Throughout 10580 Vegetable type, All districts of
the year kg green Ivory coloured seeds Tamil Nadu
pods
P 152 70 – 75 June – July - 970 Suitable for rainfed All zones *
Sept. – Nov. conditions
4. OILSEEDS
Sl. Varieties / Durati Season Average Special features Suitability to

No. hybrids on yield Agroclimatic
(Days) (kg/ha) zones
a) Groundnut
1. CO 3 105 June – July R-1750 Bold kernels All groundnut
Sept – Oct I – 2150 growing districts of
April – May Tamil Nadu
2. COGn 4 110 Irrigated I – 1950 Large seeded, bunch, All groundnut
Dec – Jan R – 1500 high oil content growing areas of
April – May Tamil Nadu
Feb – March
Rainfed
April – May
June – July
Oct
3. COGn 5 125 Rainfed R – 1585 Semispreading, Erode, Salem,
June – July drought resistant, Red Namakkal, and
July – Aug kernel Dharmapuri and
Perambalur
93
4. VRI 2 105 June – July R – 1700 Cosmopolitan, Bunch All districts

(Rainfed) I – 2000
Dec – Jan
(Irrigated)
5. VRI 3 90 Rainfed 1830 Early maturing All districts
June – July
Oct – Nov
Irrigated
Dec – Jan
6. VRI 105 June – July R – 2133 One to two seeded All groundnut
(Gn) 5 -110 Dec – Jan I – 2384 dormancy for 45 days growing areas of
Tamil Nadu
7. TMV 7 105 June – July 1800 Cosmopolitan, Bunch All districts
(Rainfed)
8. ALR 3 110 Rainfed R – 1680 Resistant to rust, Coimbatore, Erode,
-115 April – May I – 1880 Haulms remains grown Salem,
June – July still harvest Virudhunagar,
Dec – Jan Dindigul, Trichy
(Irrigated) and Tuticorin
districts
b) Sesamum
1. TMV 3 85 All seasons 700 Cosmopolitan, Black All districts
(Rainfed) seeds
900
(Irrigated)
2. CO 1 85 All seasons 700 Cosmopolitan, Black All districts
(Rainfed) seeds
900
(Irrigated)
3. TMV 4 85 Feb– March 900 Brown seeds All districts
(Irrigated)
4. TMV 5 85 Feb– March 900 Brown seeds All districts
(Irrigated)
5. TMV 6 85 Oct. - Nov. 700 Brown seeds All districts
(Rainfed)
June – July
(Rainfed)
6. SVPR 1 70-80 Nov – Jan 700-800 White seeds
(Irrigated)
Feb.-march
(Irrigated)
7. VRI (Sv) 2 80-85 Rainfed : Rabi 706 Moderately resistant to Sesame growing
(November – (Rainfed) shoot webber and root districts in Tamil
December) 726 rot , high yielder Nadu
Irrigated : (Irrigated)
Summer
(February –
March)
c) Sunflower
94
1. CO 4 80-85 Rainfed 1200-1500 Large head size high Coimbatore, Erode,

June-July yielder Salem,
Oct-Nov Dharmapuri,
Dec-Jan Tirunelveli,
Tirunelveli and
Dindigul
2. TCSH 1 85-90 June – July (R) 1650 Hybrid, compact head, Coimbatore,
Oct – Nov (I) 1850 uniform seeds set; less Namakkal,
Dec – Jan hull content. Dindigul,
April – May Virudhunagar,
Tirunelveli
Rainfed – Erode,
Salem, Madurai
Irrigated –
Cuddalore, Trichy
d) Castor
1. TMV 6 160 June – July (RF) – 843 High oil content, non Pure and mixed /
(I) – 1130 shattering intercropping in
Salem, Dharmapuri
and Erode districts
2. TMVCH 1 160 June – Sept 1180 Hybrid high oil Salem, Namakkal
-170 content, good for and Erode
intercropping
5. COTTON
Sl. Varieties Durati Season Average Special features Suitability to

No. / hybrids on yield (kg/ Agroclimatic zones
(Days) ha)
1. MCU 5 165 Aug.- 1850 Extra long staple (29 mm Winter Irrigated /
1. Oct. MHL), Summer Irrigated
Feb.- Can spun upto 70s, ginning tracts of Tamil Nadu
Mar. 34%
1. MCU 7 135 Jan.- 1500 Medium staple cotton (23.7 Rice Fallow tracts of
Feb. mm MHL), Can spun upto Tamil Nadu
30s, early maturing with
33.2% ginning outturn.
Tolerant to Blackgram
1. MCU 12 150 Aug.- 1570 Can spun upto 60s Coimbatore, Erode,
-160 Sep. Madurai, Dindigul,
Theni, Dharmapuri,
Salem, Namakkal,
Cuddalore, Villupuram
1. MCU 13 150 Aug.- 1735 Extra long staple cotton can Winter Irrigated tracts
-160 Sep. spun upto 50s, synchronized of
maturity with high fibre Coimbatore, Erode,
strength Salem, Dharmapuri,
Namakkal, Dindigul
and Theni districts
1. LRA 165 Aug.- 1500 Medium staple (26 mm), Winter Irrigated tracts
5166 Sep. (Irrigated) Can spun upto 40s, ginning and Winter Rainfed
1000 36.2% and tolerant to tracts of Tamil Nadu
(Rainfed) drought
95
1. MCU 5 165 Aug.- 2000 Extra long staple, Winter Irrigated tracts
VT Sep. Verticillium wilt tolerant of
Tamil Nadu
1. Supriya 165 Aug.- 2000 White fly tolerant Winter Irrigated tracts
Sep. of
Tamil Nadu
1. Anjali 150 Jan. 1800 Dwarf, semi compact plant Rice Fallow Tracts of
-Feb. type with early maturing Tamil Nadu
1. Surabhi 165 Aug.- 2200 Extra long staple, Winter Irrigated tracts
Sep. Verticillium wilt resistant of
Tamil Nadu
1. Sumangal 165 Sept.- 2000 Suitable for rainfed tract Winter Irrigated and
a Oct. (Irrigated) Rainfed tracts of Tamil
1200 Nadu
(Rainfed)
1. Sruthi 165 Sept.- 2500 Extra long staple cotton Winter Irrigated tracts
(Interspec Oct. of Coimbatore, Erode,
ific Salem and
Hybrid) Dharmapuri Districts
of
Tamil Nadu
1. K 11 130 Oct – 1100 Highly tolerant to drought Winter rainfed tracts of
-135 Nov and sucking pests Turicorin, Tirunelveli
and Virudhunagar
districts
1. Suvin 165 August- 1020 Extra long staple cotton Winter Irrigated tracts
Sept. with 28% ginning outturn of Coimbatore, Erode,
and 32 mm MHL, spins Salem and
100s Dharmapuri Districts
of
Tamil Nadu
1. TCHB 165 Aug- 2500 High yielding, early Winter Irrigated tracts
213 -175 Sept. maturing, Tolerant to leaf of Coimbatore, Erode,
(Interspec spot diseases, Extra long Salem and
ific staple cotton and can spun Dharmapuri Dist. of
Hybrid) upto 80’s Tamil Nadu
1. SVPR 2 150 Feb - 2000 High ginning out turn of Summer Irrigated
Mar 36.4%, medium staple (25.1 tracts and Winter
Aug.- mm), can spin 40's, Rainfed tracts of
Sept. moderately resistant to leaf Tamil Nadu
hopper and tolerant to
drought, suited to summer
irrigated and tankfed rice
fallow tracts of Tamil Nadu.
1. SVPR 3 135 Jan.- 1290 Suitable for rice fallow tract.Rice Fallow Tracts of
-140 Feb. Tolerant to drought Tamil Nadu
1. KC 2 140 Sep - 772 High ginning out turn of Winter Rainfed tracts
-150 Oct 37.5%, medium staple of Tamil Nadu
cotton - 24.4 mm tolerant to (Tirunelveli,
drought and jassids, suitable Thoothukudi and
for rainfed black cotton soil Virudhunagar)
tract
96
6. SUGARCANE
Season, Period of Planting

1. ! Main season! - i) Early- Dec - Jan ii) Mid - Feb - March iii) Late- April - May
2. ! Special season - June - July ! - Early season varieties are suitable for special
season.
PARTICULARS OF VARIETIES
Variety Duration (Month) Cane yield CCS% CCS(T/ha)
(T/ha)
COC 671 10 123.5 14.20 17.50
COC 771 10 140.0 13.10 18.30
COC 772 10 143.3 14.00 20.00
COC 773 10 97.5 13.20 12.60
COC 800 (C 66191) 10 - 11 102.9 13.20 13.50
COC 774 11 159.8 11.90 17.90
COC 775 11 122.5 13.40 16.40
COC 776 11 112.3 14.00 15.50
COC 777 12 171.3 11.80 20.00
COC 778 12 165.5 11.00 18.10
COC 779 12 204.6 11.80 24.00
COC 419 12 112.5 10.50 11.80
CO 6304 12 115.0 13.50 15.50
COC 8001 10 - 11 102.5 13.20 13.50
COC 85061 10 - 11 128.5 12.90 16.60
COC 86062 10 - 11 133.5 12.60 16.80
COC 86071 10 - 11 131.7 12.20 16.00
COC 90063 10 - 11 124.0 12.30 15.40
CO 8021 10 - 11 137.7 11.00 14.60
COC 91061 10 - 11 131.0 11.30 15.60
COC 92061 8 - 11 132.7 12.76 16.05
CO 8362 11 - 12 124.3 12.40 15.40
COG 93076 11 - 12 132.0 13.20 17.40
CO 8208 11 - 13 141.5 11.07 15.28
COG 94077 11 133.2 13.5 17.6
COG 95076 10 - 11 108.2 11.5 12.4
CO 85019 12 134.5 12.5 16.8
COSI 95071 10 152.0 12.9 21
COSI 96071 10 145.0 11.9 17.3
CO 86010 10 - 12 146.1 10.78 15.64
COC 98061 10 - 11 120.0 11.60 13.80
COSI 98071 12 144.7 12.3 17.7
CO 86249 10 - 12 128.7 11.3 14.3
COC 99061 10 - 12 130.3 11.9 15.6
CO 86032 10 - 12 110.0 13.0 14.3
COC (SC) 22 10 - 12 135.9 12.1 16.5
CO Si (SC) 6 12 148.0 12.3 18.1
COG (SC) 5 11 - 12 120.9 13.0 15.6
DISTRICT/SEASON - SUITABLE VARIETIES

97
ALL DISTRICTS (except Kanniyakumari and Nilgiris)

Early season Mid season Late season Special season
Factory Jaggery Factory Jaggery Factory Jaggery Factory Jaggery
CO 658 .. CO 658 CO 419 CO 6304 CO 62175 Early varieties ..
are suitable
for Special
CO 62174 COC 671 CO 62198 CO 449 COC CO 419 .. ..
8201
CO 62198 COC 771 CO 6304 CO 6304 COC 771 CO 6304 .. ..
COC 671 COC 772 COC 774 COC 776 COC 778 COC 8201 .. ..
COC 771 COC 773 COC 775 COC COC 779 CO 740 .. ..
8001
COC 772 COC 8001 COC .. CO 419 .. .. ..
8001
COC 8001 COC ... .. CO 740 .. .. ..
85061
COC 85061 COC CO 658 .. .. ..
86062
COC 86062 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
CoSi 86071 CoSi .. .. .. .. .. ..
86071
COC 90063 COC .. .. .. ..
90063
COC 91061 COC .. .. .. .. .. ..
COG 94077 91061
COG
94077
CO Si 95071 COG .. COG .. .. ..
COC 98061 93076 93076 CO
CO 86010 CO 85019
CO 86249 85019 COC
COC 99061
99061 CO
CO 86032
86032 COC
COC (Sc) 22
(Sc) 22
7. FORAGES
Sl. Varieties / Duratio Seasons

Average yield Special features Suitability to
No Hybrids n (GFY) Agro-climatic
zones
1. BN Hybrid PerenniRound the 400 t/ha/year More leafy Suitable for all
Co-3 al year Highly palatable zones of Tamil
More green Nadu except 3000
fodder feet above MSL in
hilly zones.
2. C O F S - 2 9PerenniRound the 65 t/ha/yr Multi cut Suitable for all
Sorghum al year suitable for zones except hilly
silage making zones
98
3. Fodder Maize60-65 Kharif 55 t/ha/yr Tall growing Suitable for all

(African Tall) +60-70 (June-Oct. 20t/ha/yr zones except hilly
Fodder Cowpea zones
4. Sorghum 80-85 Rabi Sorghum: 65 t/ Single cut Suitable for all
+ (Nov.-Feb.) ha/yr suitable for zones except hilly
Cowpea 60-75 silage making zones
Cowpea: 20t/ha/
yr
5. Cenchrus PerenniSuitable for Cenchrus: 40t/ Drought Suitable for
+ al rainfed and ha/yr tolerance rainfed area of
Stylo dry land Tamil Nadu
situation Stylo: 30t/ha/yr
99
100
ANNEXURE II
ANNEXURE - II
HORTICULTURAL CROPS
HORTICULTURAL CROPS
101
Particulars of ruling varieties and hybrids of crops
Varieties / Duratio Suitability to Agro

Season Average yield Special features
Hybrids n climatic zones
1. Sapota
CO 1 Perenni June- Dec. 175-200 kg/ Fruits are long oval All the seven zones
al tree/year (egg shaped)
CO 2 Perenni June- Dec. 175 kg /tree/ Fruits are obovate to All the seven zones
al year round in shape
CO 3 Perenni June- Dec. 157kg/tree/year Fruits are rich in TSS. In the plains upto 100
al m M.S.L.
Tree is dwarf, fruits are
Perenni
PKM 1 June- Dec. 236kg/tree/year of two shapes round All the seven zones
al
and oval
PKM 2 Perenni June- Dec. 336 kg/tree/ High yielder All the seven zones
al year
All plain areas in
Vertical growth habit
Perenni Tamil Nadu under
PKM 3 June- Dec. 14 t/ha and suitable for high
al both rainfall &
density planting
irrigated
Fruits are spindle
Perenni Varied soil types of
PKM 4 June- Dec. 20.08t/ha shaped suitable for dry
al tropical conditions
flakes production
2. Jack
Perenni 80 fruits/tree/ High yielder ; average North eastern zone,
PLR 1 June- Dec.
al year (900kg) fruit weight is 12 kg High rainfall zone
Suitable for
Perenni 107 fruits/tree/ Throughout Tamil
PPI. 1 June- Dec. commercial planting as
al year (1018kg) Nadu
well as in home garden
3. Amla
BSR 1 Perenni July- August 155 kg /tree / Suitable for high Throughout Tamil
al year density planting Nadu
North western zone,
Perenni 100-150 kg/ Western zone,
Chakaiya July- August Prolific bearer
al tree/year Cauvery delta zone
and Southern zone
North western zone,
Perenni 100-150 kg/ Western zone,
Banarasi July- August Upright growth habit
al tree/year Cauvery delta zone
and Southern zone
North western zone,
Krishna Perenni 100-150 kg/ Western zone,
July- August Fibreless flesh
NA 4 al tree/year Cauvery delta zone
and Southern zone
North western zone,
Kanchan Perenni 100-150 kg/ Western zone,
July- August Profuse bearer
NA 5 al tree/year Cauvery delta zone
and Southern zone
North western zone,
Perenni 100-150 kg/ Drooping habit; Western zone,
Francis July- August
al tree/year fibreless fruits Cauvery delta zone
and Southern zone
102
4. Guava
Fruits round, white
Lucknow Perenni
June – Dec. 15 t/ha fleshed and adoptable Southern zone
49 al
to various localities
5. Watermelon
North eastern zone,
100-120 Flesh- deep crimson
Arka manik Nov. – Dec. 60 t/ha Cauvery delta zone,
days with high TSS 12-15%)
Southern zone
Fruits are bigger in size
120-135 All zones of Tamil
PKM 1 Nov. – Dec. 36-38 t/ha with dark green skin
days Nadu
and pinkish red flesh
High sugar content ( 11
North eastern zone,
-13°TSS) and low seed
Arka joyti 90 days Nov. – Dec. 80-85 t/ha Cauvery delta zone,
content, Fruits possess
Southern zone
good keeping quality
North eastern zone,
Pusa
90 days Nov. – Dec. 60 t/ha Seedless fruits Cauvery delta zone,
Bedana
Southern zone
6. Clusterbean
Suitable for sowing in
North eastern zone,
Pusa summer or in rainy
90 days June- July 5-7 t/ha Cauvery delta zone,
Sadabahar season
Oct.- Nov.r Southern zone
North eastern zone,
Pusa June- July Late variety suitable for
90 days 5-7 t/ha Cauvery delta zone,
Mausami Oct. – Nov. rainy season
Southern zone
Suitable for growing in North eastern zone,
Pusa June- July
90 days 5-7 t/ha summer or in rainy Cauvery delta zone,
Naubahar Oct. – Nov.
season Southern zone
7. Tapioca
Suitable for
Irrigated- consumption and starch
through out industry, tolerance to
250 North eastern zone,
CO 2 the year 35-37 t/ha CMD, low HCN
days Western zone
Rainfed content (10µg/g) and
-April low incidence of tuber
rot
Irrigated-
through out Suitable for starch
250
CO 3 the year 42 t/ha industry(35.6%) field Entire Tamil Nadu
days
Rainfed tolerance to CMD
-April
Salem, Namakkal,
Irrigated-
Dharmapuri, Erode,
through out
255-260 Coimbatore,
CO (TP) 4 the year 50.6 t/ha Starch – 40%
days Cuddalore,
Rainfed
Kanyakumari and
-April
Tirunelveli Districts
103
Irrigated-
through out
H 226 the year 30-35 t/ha Drought tolerant
days Western zone
Rainfed
-April
Irrigated-
Resistant to Cercospora
Sree through out
230 leaf spot and tolerant to North eastern zone,
Prakash the year 35-40 t/ha
days drought and short Western zone
(S856) Rainfed
duration
-April
Irrigated-
Ideal variety for
through out
270 industrial use and North eastern zone,
Sree Harsha the year 35-40 t/ha
days poultry feed and short Western zone
Rainfed
duration
-April
Irrigated-
through out
MVD 1 the year 34 t/ha Starch content- 35.6%
days Western zone
Rainfed
-April
8. Cucumber
CO 1 110 January- 14 t/ha Long fruits Entire Tamil Nadu
days April
North eastern zone,
Pusa January-
90 days 15 t/ha High yielder Cauvery delta zone,
Sanyog April
Southern zone
9. Coriander
June- July
110 Suitable for green and
CO 1 Oct.- 500kg/ha Southern zone
days grain
November
90-110 June- July Dual purpose variety
CO 2 600-700kg/ha Southern zone
days Oct.- Nov. and tolerant to drought
Kharif- 275kg/
102 June- July Dual purpose, medium
CO 3 ha Southern zone
days Oct.- Nov. size grain seed
Rabi- 644 kg/ha
All zones specially
Irrigated –
Seeds are bolder and suitable for drylands
June- July 590kg/ha
CO(CR) 4 70 days suitable for rainfed in Perambalur and
Oct.- Nov. Rainfed – 540
cultivation Southern districts of
kg/ha
Tamil Nadu
10. Cashew
Perennia 23.0 kg /tree/ North eastern zone,
Vengurla 1 June – Dec. Early bearing
l year Cauvery delta zone
North eastern
Perennia 24.0 kg/tree/ Average nut weight is
Vengurla 2 June – Dec. zone,Cauvery delta
l year 4.0g
zone
North eastern
Perennia Average nut weight is
VRI 1 June – Dec.7.4 kg/tree/year zone,Cauvery delta
l 5.0g
zone
North eastern
Perennia
VRI 2 June – Dec.7.4 kg/tree/year Nut weight- 5.0g zone,Cauvery delta
l
zone
104
North eastern
Perennia 14.0 kg/tree/ High shelling
VRI 3 June – Dec. zone,Cauvery delta
l year percentage (29.1%)
zone
Low rainfall regions
of Tuticorin,
Tirunelveli,
Suitable to grow in all
Perennia 18.0kg /tree/ Sivagangai, Madurai,
VRI 4 June – Dec. types of soil (Red loam
l year Theni, Dindigul,
to laterite)
Perambalur,
Pudukottai and
Cuddalore Districts
11. Arecanut
Perennia 10.0kg nuts per Early bearing, semi tall
Mangala June – Dec. High rainfall zone
l palm/year variety
Perennia 17.25 kg nuts Tall with partially
Sumangala June – Dec. High rainfall zone
l per palm/year drooping habit
Perennia 15.63 kg nuts Early bearing, tall with
Sreemangala June – Dec. High rainfall zone
l per palm/year partially drooping habit
12. African marigold
130-150 Throughout Medium tall and
MDU 1 41.54 t/ha Southern zone
days the year moderate branching
13. Celosia
Comes up well in
Local 130 days July 3.75t/ha places receiving warm Southern zone
temperature.
14. Periwinkle
Roots- 750
-1500kg/ha
Nirmal 365 days June- July Stem- 1000- Suitable for rainfed and Cauvery delta zone
2500kg/ha irrigated condition
Leaves- 1000-
2000kg/ha
15. Senna
150-170 Rain.-Sept- Leaves- 1000 Suitable for rainfed and Tirunelveli and
KKM .1 days Oct -1500kg /ha irrigated condition Thoothukudi districts
Irri.- Jan- Seed- 50 –700 under rainfed
Feb kg/ha condition
16. Aloe
Aloe vera var. 180-210 June- July
Chinensis days Sept.- Oct. 15 t/ha-leaves Drought tolerant Western zone
2 years Dec - Jan 10t/ha/year Drought tolerant Southern zone

17.
Oreganum
105
CELOSIA (Kozhikondai) – Celosia cristata
Soil
Soil should be with good drainage along with good quantity of sand and red loamy soil.
Soil pH should be around 6.5.
Climate
It comes up very well in places receiving warm temperatures. Very low temperatures and
the extremes of temperature leads to flower abortion.
Propagation and Nursery
Seeds are used as the propagating materials. Nearly 875 g of seeds are used for raising seedlings
for 1 ha. Seeds are sown in the nursery beds. Seeds start germinating in 14 days and the when the
seedlings attain a age of 1 month old, they are transplanted in the main field.
Transplanting
25 tons of FYM are incorporated in the main field. The seedlings are transplanted in the main
field at a spacing of 20 x 20 cm or 25X 25 cm. Usually the seedlings are transplanted in the
month of July.
Manural dose
10:20:10 g of NPK are applied to the main field for 1 m2. In addition to this the foliar spray of
NPK is given at the rate of 0.2%.
Irrigation
As the roots are situated superficially on the top layer of the soils, the field is irrigated once in 4
or 5 days interval.
Harvesting
Flowers are harvested during the month of October – November
Yield
3. 75 tons of flower heads can be harvested from 1 ha of land area.
Cost economics per hectare
S.No Details Amount (Rs./ha)

1. 875 g per ha @ Rs. 1000 per kg 875
2. Labour cost 12750
3. Fertilisers, pesticides and growth regulators 5250
4. Harvesting 3000
5. Yield @ 3.75 tons per ha 75000
Rs. 20 per kg of flowers
Net income 53125
106
ALOE (Soththu Katrazhai) - Aloe vera
Soil : Sandy coastal to loamy soils of plains

Climate : Warm humid/dry climate, Rain fall- 35-40 cm/annum
Spacing : 60 x 60 cm (27750 plants/ha)
Manurial dosage : Organic cultivation: FYM-10 t/acre
Vermicompost- 1t/acre/year
Chemical fertilizer: NPK - 50 : 50: 50 kg/ha
Harvest : Eight months after planting, Manual harvesting, succeeding crop raised by root
suckers in the field. Economic yield from 2nd to 5th year. Yield - 25000 kg fresh leaves/ha in
Ist year
50-75 t/ha from 2nd year onwards (Upto 5 years)
Cost Economics :
No. Details Cost (Rs/ha)

1 First year
Cost of cultivation 75000
Gross income (@ Rs.2/kg leaf x 25 t) 50000
Net income -
2 Second year
Cost of cultivation 25000
Gross income (@ Rs.2/kg leaf x 50 t) 100000
Net income
107
PERIWINKLE (Nithyakalyani) - Catharanthus roseus
Soil : Light sandy soil

Climate : Tropical and subtropical areas, tolerates dry condition
Spacing : 45 x 30 cm
Manurial dosage : NPK - 100:50:50 kg / ha
Harvest : 12 months after planting
Yield
Details Rain fed Irrigated

Stem (Kg/ha) 1000 1500
Roots (Kg/ha) 750 1500
Leaves (Kg/ha) 2000 3000
Cost Economics
No. Details Cost (Rs / ha)

Rainfed Irrigated
1 Cost of cultivation 12500 25000
2 Gross income
Dry stem @Rs.10/kg
37000 63000
Dry roots @Rs.20/kg
Dry leaves @Rs.6/kg
Net income 24500 38000
108
SENNA - Cassia angustifolia
Soil : Red loam, sandy loam and lateritic soil, pH- 7-8.5
Climate : Warm and dry weather, sensitive to heavy rainfall
Manurial dosage : NPK - 80: 25: 40 kg/ ha
Harvest : Leaves : 1st harvest at 90 days after planting, next 2 harvest at 30 days interval
Pods : 15 days after fruit set indicated by golden yellow colour.
Yield
Details Rain fed Irrigated

Leaves (kg/ha) 1000 2000
Pods (kg/ha) 100 200
Cost Economics
No. Details Cost (Rs / ha)

Rainfed Irrigated
1 Cost of cultivation 7500 15000
2 Gross income
Dry leaves @ Rs.10/kg 11500 23000
Dry pods @ Rs.15/kg
Net income 4000 8000
109
OREGANO - Origanum vulgare L.
Soil : Humus rich soils with acidic pH

Climate : Prefers cool weather (Medium hill ranges)
Manurial dosage : Organic cultivation
Harvest : Leaves : 1 st harvest at 6th month and later on at every
three months interval
Yield
Details Yield
Dry Leaves(kg/ha) 2.5 ton
Cost Economics
No. Details Rs./acre/year

1 Cost of cultivation 25000
2 Gross income 100000
dry leaves @ Rs.40/kg
Net income 75000
110
ANNEXURE III
DECISION INFORMATION
FOR WATER MANAGEMENT
TECHNOLOGIES
111
ALTERNATIVE CROPPING PATTERN AND THE WATER MANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGIES FOR DIFFERENT CROPS AND IRRIGATION SOURCES
I. COMMAND AREAS AND TANKFED AREAS
RICE
• Maintain water to a height of 2 – 2.5 cm.

• Irrigate after hairline cracking upto panicle initiation stage
• Irrigate the field after disappearance of ponded water before the soil cracks
develop
• Provide drainage channel of 15 cm depth and 15 cm wide inside the field bunds
• Total number of irrigations will be 18 in Kar / Kuruvai and 11 in Pishanam /
Thaladi
• Water saving upto 50% as compared to conventional flooding in the cane of SRI
• Irrigating the crop one day after disappearance of ponded water
• At the time of transplanting, a shallow depth of 2 cm of water is adequate since
high depth of water will lead to deep transplanting resulting in reduction in
tillering. Upto seven days after transplanting, maintain 2 cm of water. During this
period, establishment of seedlings take place. After the establishment stage,
cyclic submergence has to be continued throughout the crop period.
• If levelling of field is perfect, maintaining 2.5 cm water throughout the crop
period could result in the maximum water use efficiency (8.6 kg ha-1mm-1).
• Under a specific situation (low infiltration, evaporation and underground water
replenishment) irrigating rice crop to 2.5 cm depth of water once in 10-13 days
registered the maximum water production function of 15.71 kg ha-1mm-1.
• During kuruvai, irrigating the field through separate field irrigation channels
saves about 6.5 - 12 per cent water, when compared to the traditional method of
field to field irrigation.
• Plot size of around 50 or 25 cents are ideal respectively, for a flow of 0.50 or
0.25 cusec water.
Integrated water management in rice
• Small plot size (0.2 – 0.24 ha) with small bunds

• Perfect levelling of main field
• Rotational water supply
• Azospirillum (seed, soil and main field treatments)
• Use of pre-emergence herbicide
• Additional dose (25 per cent) of recommended N to make good volatilization
loss of N
112
• Top dressing of potassium

• In situ rain water conservation by impounding more water in the field during
rainy season
• Cleaning and strengthening field bunds
• Forming small bund parallel to the main bund of the field at a distance of 30 to
45 cm within the field to avoid leakages of water through main bund crevices
• Use of short duration drought resistant varieties
• Irrigation at critical stages
• Timely hand weeding
• Small channels with less depth and width
• Mid season drainage at maximum tillering
• Plugging rodent holes
• Spray of anti-transpirants
• Spray of potassium chloride
• Seed treatment with seed hardening chemicals
SUGARCANE
Drip irrigation & fertigation
• Planting sugarcane setts under 150 cm (super factory model)

• Two budded setts are placed 10 cm apart along the row perpendicular to the
furrow
• Laterals of 16 mm LDPE pipe to be laid along each row 1.5 m apart with 8 LPH
pressure compensating drippers at 0.75 m spacing along the lateral.
• Water soluble solid fertilizers at 75% dose (206:47:85 kg NPK/ha) has to be
applied through fertigation with fertigation pump for increased WUE & FUE
• Fertilizers are to be applied at 4 stages viz., 30-60 days, 61-120 days, 121-180
days and 181-270 days after planting.
• Drip irrigation has to be scheduled at 2 days interval based on evapotranspiration
at local sites. Approximately 75,000 lits of water/ha should be irrigated through
drip once in 2 days with operating pumpset for 63 minutes with a dripper
discharge of 8 LPH. Operation pressure of 1.25 kg / cm2 has to be maintained
during drip irrigation for distribution uniformity.
• During fertigation first wetting has to be done for 20 minutes then fertigation for
30 minutes and flushing for 10 minutes. This will keep drip system clean
• Through this method 25-30% of irrigation water is saved with an additional area
of 0.3 ha under cultivation. Fertilizer saving is 25% from the recommended
level.
• Alternate furrow irrigation is also the most suitable irrigation method for
sugarcane. During any one run of irrigation a particular set of furrows is
irrigated. During the next run, the left over furrows are irrigated. The interval of
irrigation should be shortened when compared to the conventional irrigation.
113
• Next to alternate furrow irrigation method, broad bed furrow method of irrigation
is ideal.
• Shallow wetting with 2 or 3 cm of water at shorter interval especially for sandy
soil can also be practiced for enhancing the germination.
Intervals of irrigation in each phase for sugarcane

Days of irrigation interval
Stages
Sandy soil Clay soil
Tillering phase(36-100 days) 8 10
Grand growth phase(101-270 days) 8 10
Maturity phase(271-harvest) 10 14
• Gradual widening of furrows

At the time of planting, form furrows at a width of 30 cm initially. After that,
widen the furrows to 45 cm on 45th day during first light earthing up and
subsequently deepen the furrow on 90th day as high level earthing up to save 35
per cent of water.
• Skip furrow irrigation

Suited to heavy soils like clay and loam. Alternate furrows should be skipped and
may be converted to ridges having a wider bed. Short crops like pulses can be
raised in wider bed without excessive irrigation. Water saving is 50 per cent
when compared to conventional system.
BANANA
Drip fertigation
• Planting of banana suckers at 1.8 x 1.8 m

• Laying out of drip system at 1.8 m apart, 16 mm lateral for one row and one 8
LPH PC dripper for one plant.
• Water soluble fertilizers at 75% dose (278:167:556 kg NPK/ha) has to be applied
through fertigation pump. Fertilizers are to be dissolved in water at 1:5 ratio.
• Fertizers are to be applied at 4 stages viz., 30-60 days, 61-120 days, 121-180
days and 181-240 days.
• Drip irrigation can be scheduled once in 2 days based on evapotranspiration at
local sites. For young plants drip irrigation once in 2 days with 20 litres per plant
upto 2 months and for grown up plants 32 litres per plant is given.
• During fertigation first wetting has to be done for 60 minutes then fertigation for
150 minutes and then flushing for 30 minutes once in 2 days. This will keep the
drip system clean for next fertigation.
114
• Water saving by this method is 47% in with an additional area of 0.47 ha under
cultivation.
• Gradual widening of basins upto 150th day
II. WELL IRRIGATED AREAS
SORGHUM
• Irrigation according to the following growth phase of the crop
Stages Transplanted crop Direct sown crop

Growth phase 1 to 40 days 1 to 33 days
Flowering phase 41 to 70 days 34 to 65 days
Maturity phase 71 to 95 days 66 to 95 days
Stages No.of Days of transplanting/sowing of crop

irrigation Transplanted Direct sown
Light soils
1 1st day 1st day
Germination
2 4th day 4th day
Irrigation during 1 15th day 15th day
vegetative phase 2 28th day 28th day
1 40th day 40th day
Flowering phase 2 52nd day 52nd day
3 64th day 64th day
1 65th day 76th day
Maturity phase
2 88th day 88th day
Stop irrigation thereafter
Heavy soils
1 1st day 1st day
Germination
2 4th day 4th day
115
Irrigation during 1 17th day 17h day

vegetative phase 2 30th day 30th day
1 40th day 45th day
Flowering phase 2 52nd day 60th day
3 75th day 75th day
Maturity phase 1 85th day 90th day
Note: Adjust according to the weather conditions and depending upon the receipt of rains.
116
MAIZE
• Maize crop requires irrigation immediately after sowing, life irrigation on
4th day, irrigation once in 10-15 days upto 15 days prior to harvest.
• In maize crop, higher water use efficiency was obtained when irrigation was
scheduled at 75 per cent Available Soil Moisture Depletion (ASMD).
• Irrigation has to be regulated according to the following growth phases of the
crop.
Germination phase - 1 to 14 days
Vegetative phase - 15 to 39 days
Flowering phase - 40 to 65 days
Maturity phase - 66 to 95 days
Irrigation schedule according to the growth phase of the crop
No. of Days after sowing K1/

Stage Ganga 5
irrigation COH 1
Heavy soils
1 Irrigate after sowing Irrigate after sowing
Germination 2 Life irrigation on 4th day Life irrigation on 4th
day
1 12th day 12th day
Vegetative phase 2 25th day 25th day
3 36th day 36th day
Irrigate copiously during the 1, 2 48th day, 60th day 48th day, 60th day
flowering phase
Control irrigation during 1 72nd day 76th day
maturity phase
Note: Maize crop is sensitive to both moisture stress and excessive moisture, hence regulate
irrigation according to the requirement.
Stop irrigation 10 days prior to harvest
Note : Ensure optimum moisture availability during the most critical phase (40 to 65 DAS),
otherwise yield will be reduced to a considerable extent. Skipping irrigation at seedling, knee
high and dough stage may be followed under water scarce situation.
Light soils 1, 2 Irrigate after sowing, life Irrigate after sowing,
Germination irrigation on 4th day life irrigation on 4th day
1 12th day 12th day

2 22nd day 22nd day
Vegetative phase
3 31st day 32nd day
4 40th day
1 42nd day 50th day
Irrigate copiously 2 52nd day 50th day
during flowering
3 62nd day 72nd day
4 72nd day 80th day
Control irrigation during 1 75th day 99th day
maturity phase
117
Stop irrigation 10 days prior to harvest

118
PEARL MILLET
Pearl millet requires irrigation according to the growth phases of the crop. Heading and
flowering are the critical phases for water demand.
Seedling - 1 to 18 days
Tillering - 19 to 35 days
Flowering phase - 36 to 55 days
Maturity phase - 56 to 85 days
Irrigation according to the growth phase of pearl millet for light and heavy soils.
Transplanted Direct sown

Stages No.of irrigation
crop(DAT) crop(DAS)
Light soils
i. Germination 1, 2 1, 4 1
ii. Vegetative phase 1, 2 15, 28 4
iii. Flowering phase 1, 2 40, 52 17, 30
iv. Maturity phase 1 59 42, 55, 70
v. Stop irrigation thereafter 73
Heavy soils
i. Germination 1, 2 1, 4 1, 5
ii. Vegetative phase 1, 2 15, 28 15, 30
iii. Flowering phase 1, 2 42, 44 45, 60
iv. Maturity phase 1 54 75
v. Stop irrigation
thereafter
FINGER MILLET
• Irrigation to finger millet (CO 10) once in 10-12 days during vegetative stage
(22-55 DAT) and once in a week during reproductive stage (56 DAT-10 days prior
to harvest) was found better.
• Higher water use efficiency can be obtained by scheduling irrigation at 50 per cent
and 75 per cent ASMD respectively during vegetative and reproductive stages.
Irrigation to finger millet in nursery under different soil types.
No. of irrigations Red soils Heavy soils

1st Immediately after sowing Immediately after sowing
2nd 3rd day after sowing 4th day after sowing
3rd 7th day after sowing 9th day after sowing
4th 12th day after sowing 16th day after sowing
5th 17th day after sowing -
119
Note: 1. One irrigation is given on the 3rd day in case of red soil to soften the hard
crust formed on the soil surface and also to facilitate seedlings to emerge out.
2. Do not allow cracks to develop in the nursery bed by properly adjusting the
quantity of irrigation water.
Irrigations according to the growth phases of finger millet
No.of Crop duration

Stages
irrigations 80 days 100 days 120 days
Vegetative phase 1 to 16 1 to 18 1 to 20
(nursery)
Vegetative phase 1 to 18 1 to 20 1 to 22
(in main field)
Flowering phase 19 to 40 21 to 55 23 to 69
Maturity phase Beyond 40 days Beyond 55 days Beyond 69 days
Heavy soils
Establishment 1 1st day 1st day 1st day
(1-7 days) 2 5th day 5th day 5th day
Vegetative phase 1 18th day 20th day 20th day
(8-20 days) 2 31st day 33rd day 30th day
Flowering phase 1 41st day 42nd day 37th day
(21-55 days) 2 51st day 52nd day 44th day
3 - - 63rd day
Maturity phase 1 st
61 day nd
62 day 78th day
(56-120 days) 2 - - 93rd day
Light soils
Establishment (1-7 1 1st day 1st day 1st day
days) 2 5thday 5th day 5th day
Vegetative 1 15th day 16th day 16th day

Flowering 1 36th day 36th day 36th day

3 - 54th day 54th day
Maturity
2 70th day - 93rd day
120
Note: The irrigation schedule is given only as a general guideline. Regulate irrigation depending upon the
prevailing weather conditions and receipt of rain.
121
GROUNDNUT
Groundnut requires irrigation immediately after sowing, life irrigation on
3rdday, irrigation at 15 days and 12 days interval during vegetative and reproductive
phases respectively.
Pre-flowering phase : 1 to 25 days

Flowering phase : 26 to 60 days
Maturity phase : 61 to 105 days
If Irrigation based on physiological growth phases, irrigate at pegging, flowering and

pod development phases, during which period adequate soil moisture is essential.
Give irrigation as follows:
i) Sowing or pre-sowing
ii) Life irrigation, 4-5 DAS, irrigation to break the surface crust.
iii) Irrigation 20 DAS
iv) Two irrigations at flowering stage
v) One or two irrigations at pegging stage
vi) In pod development stage, 2-3 irrigations depending on the soil type
Note: 0.5 per cent potassium chloride spray during flowering and pod development stages will aid to
mitigate the ill effects of water stress. Composted coir pith increases moisture availability and better
drainage in heavy textured soil is required.
GINGELLY
• Irrigation at sowing and life irrigation 7 DAS depending on the soil and climatic
condition and allowing excess water to percolate.
• One pre-flowering irrigation (25 days): One at flowering and one or two at pod
setting. Irrigation at flowering period is critical.
• Irrigation at once in 15 days, withholding of irrigation after 65 days.
• TMV 3, irrigation at 25 per cent depletion during pre-flowering stage and 100 per
cent depletion during post flowering stage recorded higher yield.
• The variety TMV 4 irrigated at 50 per cent and 100 per cent depletion of ASM
during pre-flowering and post- flowering stages respectively recorded higher yield.
• Gingelly responds favourably to irrigation. Each additional irrigation gave positive
response upto a total of three irrigations. Irrigations at sowing and 20 DAS were
found to give better crop growth and yield.
• The critical stage for moisture requirement is flowering phase i.e., between 35 to
45 DAS. During the maturity phase, moisture status should be low. If more water is
given during this phase, maturity of seeds is affected and filling up of the capsules
will be poor. Therefore, stop irrigation after 65 DAS.
122
SUNFLOWER
• Irrigation once in a week through ridges and furrows with 40 kg N ha-1 recorded
higher grain yield, with water use efficiency of 25.7 kg ha-1 cm-1 in kharif.
• Life irrigation on 3rd day after sowing. Thereafter, irrigation once in 7-10 days.
• Irrigation through long furrows in feasible locations (surge irrigation)
• Skip /alternate furrows under scarcity conditions.
SOYBEAN
• Ridges and furrow method of irrigation
• Irrigation immediately after sowing. Life irrigation on the 3rd day. Further
irrigations at intervals of 7-10 and 10-15 days during summer and winter seasons
respectively may be given depending on soil and weather conditions.
• Soybean is very sensitive to excess moisture and the crop is affected if water
stagnates in the field. The crop should not suffer due to water stress from
flowering to maturity. In Erode district, soybean + castor with irrigation once in
10 to 12 days is recommended to realize maximum benefits.
COCONUT
• Drip irrigation is the best method of irrigation for coconut.
• Monthwise water requirement under drip irrigation for coconut is as follows
Month Water requirement

(lit./tree/day)
January 73
February 86
March 105
April 111
May 113
June 98
July 86
August 108
September 95
October 78
November 52
December 73
• In the first year, surface irrigation on alternate days and from the second year till
the time of maturity, irrigation should be given twice a week and afterwards once
123
in 10 days. During summer months and also whenever there is no rain, irrigation
is a must depending upon soil moisture.
• Application of coconut husks about 30 cm depth around the coconut trees at a
radius of 1 m and covering it up with earth will conserve soil moisture in light
textured soil. `
COTTON
Regulate irrigation according to the following growth phases of the crop

Germination phase : 1 to 15 days
Vegetative phase : 16 to 44 days
Flowering phase : 45 to 100 days for Jayalakshmi, TCHB 213 and Suvin,
45 to 87 days for all other varieties
Maturity phase : Beyond 100 days for Jayalaxmi and TCHB 213, beyond
88 days for all other varieties
Irrigations according to the growth phases of cotton
Stages No.of irrigations Light soil Heavy soil
Germination phase
Irrigate for 1, 2 Immediately after sowing, Immediately after
germination give a life irrigation on 5th sowing, give a life
day of sowing to facilitate irrigation on 5th day of
the seedlings to emerge sowing to facilitate the
out seedlings to emerge out
Vegetative phase 1 Irrigate on the 20th day of Irrigate on 20th or 21st
Regulate sowing, three days after day of sowing, three
hoeing and weeding days after hoeing and
weeding
2 Irrigate again on 35th or Irrigate again on 40th
36th day of sowing day of sowing.
Flowering phase 1 th
48 day 55th day
Irrigate 2 60th day 70th day
copiously 3 nd
72 day 85th day
4 84th day 100th day
5 96th day **
For all varieties other than Suvin, Jayalaxmi and TCHB 213
124
Maturity phase 1 108th day 115th day

2 th
120 day 130th day
3 130th day
4 144th day
Stop irrigation
after 150th day
Control irrigation
during maturity
phase
For Suvin, Jayalaxmi and TCHB 213
3 132nd day 145th day
5 158th day -
Stop irrigation
after160th day
Note: i) If irrigation is given on climatological approach, schedule irrigation once in 10-12 days and 15
days during vegetative and reproductive phases respectively.
ii) The irrigation schedule given above is only a guideline and regulate the
irrigation depending upon the prevailing weather condition and receipt of rains.
iii) Adopt alternate furrow or skip furrow irrigation to save irrigation water
PULSES
• Irrigation immediately after sowing followed by life irrigation on third day.
Irrigation at intervals of 10 to 15 days depending upon the soil and climatic
conditions. For wetland bunds, pot water daily for a week after sowing.
Flowering and pod formation stages are critical periods when irrigation is a must.
• Irrigation to blackgram once in 10-12 days
•Under sandy clay loam soils, two irrigations to greengram with an interval of
20-25 days are sufficient.
VEGETABLES
Drip irrigation
• Approximately 66,666 litres/ha of water is required for hybrid tomato under drip
system once in 2 days with operating pump set for 90 minutes with a dripper
discharge of 4 LPH.
• For radish microsprinklers having 55 LPH discharge to give a wetting dia of 3 m
have to be connected along the laterals. Microsprinklers are connected at 1.5 m
spacing to have 100% overlapping. Approximately 71290 litre per ha of water
should be irrigated through microsprinkler once in 2 days with operating pump
set for 35 minutes with an operating pressure of 1.5 kg/cm2.
125
• For hybrid bhendi drip irrigation has to be scheduled at 2 days interval based on
hapotranspiration at local sites. Approximately 1,18,500 litres per ha of water
through drip once in 2 days with operating pump set for 95 minutes with a
dripper discharge of 4 LPH.
• Brinjal - corrugated furrow irrigation with 5 cm depth , drip irrigation at 75 per
cent of surface irrigation
• Bhendi - ridges and furrows method of irrigation at 40 percent ASM.
• Chillies - irrigation once in 12-15 days
• Tomato - drip irrigation at 75 per cent of cumulative pan evaporation
FODDER CROPS
• Irrigation immediately after sowing/planting , life irrigation on the third day and
thereafter once in 10 days.
• Raingun can be effectively used for irrigation with a water saving of 25-30%.
126

Alternate Cropping System of Tamil Nadu

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ALTERNATIVE CROPPING

PATTERN FOR TAMIL NADU

TAMIL NADU AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

Hence, it is imperative to design alternate cropping pattern based on soil and

Scientists from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University have prepared a document

Before introducing the suggested cropping pattern, the biological feasibility,

Agriculture in Tamil Nadu

Land Utilisation / Cropping Intensity in Tamil Nadu (Lakh ha.)

Sl. No Item 1990-1991 1995-1996 2000 2001-2002

8 Gross cropped area (5+7) 66.32 62.67 63.38 62.26

Area under Irrigation

Normal Rainfall : 967.2 mm

Monsoon rainfall performance in seven agro climatic zones of Tamil Nadu

A study was undertaken to understand the performance of both monsoon rainfall

North Eastern Zone

North Western Zone

Madurai, Ramnad, Vridhunagar, Sivagangai, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi form this

Cauvery Delta Zone

High Rainfall Zone

Hilly and High Altitude Zone

The over all study indicated the following

1) Continuous meteorological drought occurred in both season of four years study

This situation has created water crisis in Tamil Nadu presently.

Historic cultivation Pattern

The historic cultivation practice especially in Cauvery delta region, Tamarabarani

Impact of lack of river flows

Sl. Year DAM OPENING OUT FLOW (TMC) DAM CLOSING

6 1996-97 26.07.96 50.75 18.29 174.191 0.000 174.191 28.01.97 62.440

(Up to Jan, 2004)

Sl. Year Date of Coverage of crop in Lakh Ha.

Agro climatic zones

Directors of Agriculture. It is suggested for three types of scenarios viz.; Normal

South-West monsoon : 15th of May

The cropping pattern corresponding to the forecast will be implemented by the

I. North Eastern Zone

Mean annual rainfall (mm) - 1253.8

a. Tankfed areas : Tank Alluvium - Heavy clay and laterite soils

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - rice (Jan.-April)

b. Well irrigated areas : Laterite, red and black soils

Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane

Normal year : • Rice/vegetables/marigold(June-Oct.) - maize

c. Rainfed areas : lateritic, red and black soils

Existing : • Pearl millet (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)

Normal year : • Maize (June-Sep.) - groundnut (Oct.-Feb.)

Mean annual rainfall (mm) - 1147.3

a. Tankfed areas : Tank alluvium (Heavy clay and red soils)

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - pulses / groundnut (Jan.-April)

b. Well irrigated areas : Red and laterite soils

Existing : • Sugarcane (Dec.-Jan.) - ratoon sugarcane

Normal year : • Rice (April-Aug.) - groundnut (Sep.-Dec.) -

c. Rainfed areas : laterite and red soils

Existing : • Dry rice (June-Aug.) - pulses / vegetables / gingelly

Mean annual rainfall (mm) - 1030.0

a. Command areas (Sathanur) - Heavy clay and sandy soils

Severe drought year : • Wheat / fodder (Nov.-Feb.)

c. Well irrigated areas : Laterite, red and black soils

d. Rainfed areas : Laterite, Red and Black soils

Mean annual rainfall (mm) - 1039.8

a. Command areas (Sathanur) - Heavy clay and sandy soils

b. Well irrigated areas : Red and laterite soils

Existing : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly

Normal year : • Rice (Aug.-Jan.) - groundnut (Feb.-April) – gingelly

c. Rainfed areas : Red, laterite and heavy clay soils