What are the main cereal, oilseed, and pulse crops grown in the summer season?

Summer, also known as the zaid season, is an important cropping period in India that falls between the rabi harvest and the arrival of the monsoon. Although the temperatures are high and water availability may be limited, several crops grow very well in this season, especially in areas with irrigation. Farmers take advantage of summer cropping to increase income, make better use of land, and ensure a steady supply of food grains, oilseeds, and pulses. The major crops grown during the summer season fall into three groups: cereals, oilseeds, and pulses.
Among cereal crops, the most common one grown in summer is maize. Summer maize grows quickly, responds well to irrigation, and gives high yield if managed properly. It is used for food, fodder, and even industrial products like starch. Pearl millet (bajra) is also grown in some regions because it tolerates heat and dry conditions. It grows fast and is a good option for fodder during the lean season. In certain irrigated areas, farmers also grow sorghum (jowar) as a summer fodder crop because it produces plenty of green matter within a short period.
In the group of oilseed crops, groundnut is one of the most widely grown during the summer season. With proper irrigation, summer groundnut gives excellent yield and the quality of kernels remains high. Farmers prefer it because the crop duration is shorter compared to the kharif season and pest pressure is lower. Sunflower is another important oilseed grown in summer. It grows well in warm weather and requires moderate irrigation. Many farmers also cultivate sesame (til) as a summer crop. Sesame is drought-tolerant, matures in a short period, and fetches a good market price due to its high oil content.
In the category of pulse crops, green gram (moong dal) is the most popular choice for summer. Summer moong is quick-growing, fits perfectly between two major seasons, and enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen. It is also less affected by diseases during this time because the climate is dry and warm. Another pulse grown in the summer season is black gram (urad dal), especially in irrigated areas. Both green gram and black gram provide good income and help improve soil fertility for the next crop.
Some areas also grow cowpea during the summer, mainly as a dual-purpose crop for both grain and fodder. It is heat-tolerant and requires fewer inputs. These short-duration pulses are beneficial in crop rotation and recyclable within the year.
Choosing summer crops depends on water availability, soil type, and market demand. Crops like maize, moong, and groundnut are especially preferred because they provide a good return in a short period and support better land utilization. Summer crops also help farmers prepare the field for the upcoming kharif season by improving soil structure and reducing weed growth.
In simple words, the main summer crops include cereals like maize and millet, oilseeds like groundnut, sunflower, and sesame, and pulses like green gram and black gram. These crops make efficient use of the summer months and provide farmers with additional income and improved soil health.