I am not sure whether to give a final irrigation to my gram or stop. Worried about both wilt and shrivelled pods.
How do I time my last irrigation in chana so pods fill without causing wilt?
GGhanshyam Meena7mo ago · 257 views
6 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
The most rewarding irrigation in chana is around the pod-development and pod-filling stage, since moisture stress then gives small, shrivelled seed, but you must avoid heavy or late waterlogging which triggers wilt and root rot. Give a light, well-drained irrigation at pod filling rather than flooding, and stop irrigation once pods are filling well and the crop is maturing. On heavy soils with good stored moisture you may not need a late irrigation at all. Match it to your soil type and weather, and confirm the timing with your KVK or Soil Health Card based advice.
DDevisingh Meena6mo ago
On my black cotton soil I usually do not give a final irrigation at all, the stored moisture carries the pods to fill. The years I added a late watering on that heavy soil I got more wilt. Know your soil, heavy land holds water and needs less.
MMangilal Patidar6mo ago
On my Raisen land the safe rule I follow is, if the pods are filling well and the plants are starting to turn, I stop watering rather than giving one more, because a late irrigation then delayed maturity and brought wilt in the low spots. Letting it dry down on time gave cleaner, better filled grain.
RRamswaroop Lodhi6mo ago
If you do give the pod-filling water, keep it light and make sure the field drains, never let it stand. I give a gentle quick irrigation and that is it. A heavy late flood on gram is asking for wilt, the plant cannot take wet feet near maturity.
HHariram Dangi6mo ago
If I do give a pod-filling water I give it well before maturity, not at the last minute, and only on a draining part of the field. A late watering right at maturity on the heavy patch sat too long and caused wilt. Earlier and lighter is safer than late and heavy on gram.
HHalke Ram Meena6mo ago
Check the soil moisture below the surface and the weather before deciding. If it still feels moist a few centimetres down or rain is coming, I skip the last irrigation entirely. The pod-filling water only helps when the soil has genuinely dried out, otherwise it just causes trouble.