Mustard has a low water requirement compared to paddy rice. It needs well-drained loamy soil. The Rabi season relies on residual soil moisture from the monsoon rains and occasional winter irrigation. Planting mustard during the Kharif season would expose it to 500-1000mm of monsoon rain, which would literally drown the plant, causing root rot.
While the strict answer is Rabi, there is a grey area known as the (Summer crops). mustard is rabi or kharif
In the standard cropping pattern of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, are sown at the end of the monsoon (October-November) and harvested in the spring (March-April). Mustard, along with wheat, barley, and peas, thrives in the cool, dry weather of winter. Mustard has a low water requirement compared to paddy rice
In the agricultural world, particularly in the Indian subcontinent, crops are broadly divided into two categories: (monsoon crops) and Rabi (winter crops). Getting this distinction wrong can mean the difference between a bumper harvest and a failed field. Planting mustard during the Kharif season would expose
In very specific, cold mountainous regions (like parts of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, or the northern hills), the Rabi season is too cold for mustard. In these rare cases, farmers practice . This is sown in March/April and harvested in June/July.
Disclaimer: Agricultural practices vary by micro-climate. Always consult your local agricultural extension office for varietals suited to your specific region.
Some key characteristics of Rabi crops like mustard include: