The delay in rain has increased demand for the short-duration varieties of soybean in Madhya Pradesh this season. The conditions have become unfavourable for other varieties of the oilseed due to the fortnight’s delay in the southwest monsoon rain. Farmers are asking for JS 9560 and JS 2034 short duration varieties because it matures in around 85-86 days while long duration varieties mature in 94-95 days. Sowing may get late this year if the monsoon rains are delayed further. In the western parts of the state where there have been pre-monsoon showers, farmers started sowing but soon stopped because their crop was damaged after germination due to higher day temperature and soil heat stress.