Growers advised to apply irrigation to wheat

With sudden rise in temperature not beneficial for wheat crop at this stage, growers were today 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.
Minimum temperatures today stayed several notches above normal in several areas including Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Ludhiana, Amritsar and Patiala in both the states.

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

An official of Punjab 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 bumper wheat crop this season. Punjab and Haryana grow wheat at 35 lakh hectares and 25 lakh hectares respectively.

PAU advisory further said that farmers were advised to monitor wheat and mustard fields regularly to check the incidence of aphids and symptoms of yellow rust.