Ideal Time for Summer Vegetable Sowing: Choose the Right Varieties for Better Yields – IARI Advisory

Agriculture Advisory for Indian Farmers from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

04 May 2025, New Delhi: With favourable temperatures and sufficient soil moisture, this is the right time for farmers to begin sowing summer vegetables. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) has recommended a range of high-yielding and climate-suitable varieties for cultivation during this period. By selecting the correct seeds and ensuring good agronomic practices, farmers can optimise their summer vegetable production and meet growing market demand.

Among the recommended crops are French bean, vegetable lobia (cowpea), amaranthus, lady’s finger (okra), bottle gourd, cucumber, ridge gourd, sponge gourd, and summer radish. Each of these vegetables performs well under warm conditions, provided they are sown in moisture-rich soil and managed properly during early growth.

For French beans, IARI suggests varieties like Pusa Parvati and Contender, which are known for their quick growth and tenderness. In the case of vegetable lobia, Pusa Komal and Pusa Sukomal are preferred due to their resistance to pests and good pod quality. These leguminous crops also enrich the soil with nitrogen, benefiting subsequent crops in the rotation.

Leafy vegetable lovers can go for amaranthus varieties such as Pusa Kiran and Pusa Lal Chaulai, which are rich in iron and grow quickly, making them ideal for multiple harvests in a season. Lady’s finger, another summer favourite, performs best with varieties like A-4, Parbani Kranti, and Arka Anamika, which are known for their resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus and strong yields.

For cucurbits, farmers can select Pusa Naveen and Pusa Sandesh for bottle gourd cultivation. These varieties produce uniform, tender fruits that are in high demand in both rural and urban markets. For cucumber, Pusa Uday is the recommended variety. It is a prolific bearer and suited for summer sowing due to its tolerance to heat stress.

Ridge gourd and sponge gourd, both popular in Indian cuisine, can also be sown during this period, using improved varieties like Pusa Sneha. Lastly, summer radish sowing is advised with the variety Pusa Chetki, which has a quick maturity period and performs well even in higher temperatures.

Farmers are strongly advised to procure seeds from certified sources to ensure genetic purity and disease resistance. It is also essential to prepare the soil properly and ensure adequate moisture for seed germination. Pre-irrigation before sowing or sowing immediately after light irrigation can lead to better crop establishment.

With growing consumer preference for fresh vegetables and the opportunity to meet urban demand, this is an excellent time for farmers to expand their summer vegetable production using these recommended varieties.

Also Read: Coromandel International Announces Financial Results; Crop Protection Revenue Reaches Rs. 2,635 Cr

📢 Reach Farmers, Share Your Story, and Grow Your Brand!
Got news to share? A company story to highlight? Looking to launch an impactful advertising campaign?  Connect with us at info@krishakjagat.org or nimishgangrade@krishakjagat.org and make your mark!

📢 Connect with 100+ Million Farmers! India’s leading farmers rely on Krishak Jagat’s Hindi website for trusted agriculture news, advisory and insights. Click here to explore!