Rabi crops require a hot climate for seed germination and a cold climate for optimum growth, while on the contrary Kharif crops need a lot of water and a warmer climate to thrive.
Major Kharif crops include rice, maize, pulses like urad, moong dal, millets, and many more. Conversely, major Rabi crops include wheat, gram, peas, barley, etc.
Rabi crops, also known as winter crops, are sown during the retreating and northeast monsoon seasons, which begin in October. Kharif crops, also known as monsoon crops, are sown during the monsoon season.
Rabi crops are not greatly affected by rainfall. However, rainfall is necessary for all Kharif crops.
In the warm months of April and May, Rabi crops are harvested while around the end of May or the beginning of June, Kharif crops are planted and harvested after the monsoon, at the beginning of October.