With wheat sowing at its peak in the state, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today advised farmers to opt for recommended variety of seeds of the cereal.
"PAU experts are flooded with queries on appropriate wheat variety and its seed availability," PAU Director of Extension Education R S Sidhu said.
The choice of a suitable variety is an important factor for determining the crop productivity and farmers' profitability, he said.
N S Bains, Senior Plant Breeder, PAU, exhorted the farmers to go in for varietal mosaic and diversify from pre-dominance of HD 2967 variety as diseases like yellow rust and karnal bunt were found in this variety at several fields in Punjab in the last season.
He complimented Punjab farmers for their rapid seed replacement as well as varietal replacement, and advised them to adopt new varieties especially PBW 677, HD 3086 and WH 1105 for cultivation under irrigated timely sown conditions.
These new releases possess higher grain yield as well as resistance to major diseases like yellow rust, the plant breeder highlighted.
Bain suggested farmers to grow more than one variety to avoid risks associated with monoculture.
The entire area on which the farmer plans to sow wheat should not be brought under one variety, he said.
Good quality certified and tested seeds should be procured from recognised agencies, he advised.
"Bains further said, "Before sowing, test the seed for its germination, which should be at least 85 per cent. Also check the presence of seed borne diseases like Karnal bunt in the lot," he said.
The maximum permissible limit for presence of 'Karnal bunt' infected seeds is 0.25 per cent in case of certified seed, he informed.
The self-saved seed from the previous harvest shouldn't be sown if more than five grains infected with Karnal bunt disease are observed per 1000 grains," he warned.
