Rise in temperature: Farmers fear yellow rust, low wheat production

: Farmers of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts are worried over the risk of yellow rust and low yield after sudden change in weather.

As per experts, the significant increase in temperature during the second week of February may affect yield of the wheat crop, besides increasing the risk of yellow rust, one of the three wheat rust diseases.

The department of agriculture, however, hasn’t received any complaint of the decease, but has started taking precautionary measures for saving the crop from the disease.

Farmers often choose latesowing varieties of wheat and a large area in the region is under basmati crop. Presently, wheat is at the boot and heading stage in the area. Farmers of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts had sown wheat in 1.8 lakh hectare and 1.8 lakh hectares respectively this year.

Leader of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee (KSC) Kawalpreet Singh Pannu said, “Suddenly increasing temperature will shrink the wheat grain, besides increasing the risk of yellow rust, and armers of the area will have to suffer a huge loss if the temperature does not fall.”

Dr Partap Singh, chief agriculture officer ( CAO), Tarn Taran, said, “The sudden rise in temperature can naturally affect the yield of wheat crop. If the temperature decreases in coming days the yield will be high otherwise.”

As per the weather report, during the last four to five days, the maximum temperature was above normal. Dr Gurdeep Singh, an expert of the agriculture department, said, “We are expecting a good yield of wheat crop. We have not got any report of yellow rust or any disease so far.”

Chief agriculture officer, Amritsar, Dr Dalbir Singh Chhina, said, “While adopting precautionary measures, we have advised farmers to monitor their crop regularly. If they find yellow powder, which is of turmeric colour, then they should report it to the department.

“There are some possibilities of such a problem in Fatehgarh Churian and Ajanala blocks. Our teams are visiting the fields to monitor crops. If we get information about such a problem, we will alert all other farmers,” he added. “We have issued an advisory to farmers that they have to irrigate their crops if the present weather persists. However, there are possibilities of light showers in the region and temperature will dip after the rain,” he said.

FARM OFFICIALS SAY SO FAR THEY HAVEN’T GOT ANY COMPLAINT OF YELLOW RUST, BUT PRECAUTIONARY STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN AS TEMPERATURE HAS RISEN SUDDENLY