Rising mercury worries wheat growers in Punjab
Amritsar, February 21
With Punjab Agricultural College predicting no rain within the coming days and amid worry of lower in wheat yield as a consequence of early onset of summer time, agriculture specialists have suggested the farmers to go for under need-based irrigation and spray potassium nitrate if required.
The information launched by PAU has revealed that temperature in February this 12 months is greater than that recorded in the previous couple of years and because the wheat crop is in tillering stage it’d impact the dimensions of wheat grains.
The PAU figures have revealed that the typical day temperature this 12 months is greater — by 3.8 levels Celsius to six.6 levels Celsius. It has additional acknowledged that common night time temperature is greater by 1.1 levels Celsius to 4.7 levels Celsius.
An agriculture division official mentioned, “February final 12 months too was comparatively hotter, however this 12 months temperature is far greater than regular. It’d lead to a big lower within the wheat yield which might hit the farmers’ pursuits.” He mentioned, “Normally if the temperature through the wheat season stays regular, farmers wouldn’t have to irrigate their fields a lot, however with the drastic enhance in temperature they have to contemplate irrigating the fields.”
Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Jatinder Singh Gill mentioned, “Hopefully, climate situations would possibly take a flip and the temperature would possibly return to regular ranges. However till then there’s a have to take precautions. The early onset of summer time has elevated the possibilities of yellow rust within the wheat crop.”
In the meantime, well being specialists too have suggested residents to extend consumption of fluids and keep away from fried meals objects in view of the prevailing climate situations. The climate has modified to the extent that individuals have already began utilizing air-conditioners of their automobiles.