WINTER RECEDES, GROWERS ADVISED TO IRRIGATE WHEAT

CHANDIGARH: With the sudden rise in temperature not beneficial for wheat crop at this stage, growers were on Monday advised to apply light irrigation to the crop. Wheat growers were also asked to regularly monitor their crop to check the incidence of aphid and yellow rust.

“Farmers are advised to give need-based irrigation to wheat,” said an advisory issued by Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University.

The advisory came as Punjab and Haryana observed rise in minimum temperatures by several degrees above normal in the last few days.

“In the last 4-5 days, the maximum and minimum temperatures were above normal. In the next 2-3 days, temperatures will fall by 1-2 degrees but will remain above normal,” the advisory said.

An official of the state agriculture department said, “Increase in temperature is not good for wheat crop at this stage and if this situation prolongs, it can cause early crop maturity. Rise in mercury can lead to shriveling of grains and hence there can be yield loss.”

Punjab and Haryana, major foodgrain-growing states, have been anticipating a bumper wheat crop this season. Punjab and Haryana grow wheat on 35 lakh hectares and 25 lakh hectares respectively.