A sudden rise in temperature at this time can reduce grain weight, impacting both yield and quality.
PAU Guidance for Punjab Farmers to Protect Wheat Yield During High Temperatures
With temperatures rising across Punjab, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has advised farmers to take extra precautions to protect their wheat crop from potential losses.
Dr Makhan Singh Bhullar, Director of Extension Education at PAU, said that nearly 95 per cent of the state’s wheat was sown between October 25 and November 15, which is considered the optimal sowing period. However, he noted that recent changes in weather have raised concerns for the crop’s growth and quality.
Dr Bhullar explained that wheat is particularly sensitive to high temperatures during the grain formation stage. A sudden rise in temperature at this time can reduce grain weight, impacting both yield and quality. The effect is especially significant for early-sown wheat grown on light to medium soils, as these crops mature faster, leaving grains less developed.
According to Dr Bhullar, temperatures during the second week of February were 2 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than the same period last year. To mitigate the heat stress, farmers have been advised to apply light irrigation while also monitoring wind speed to prevent lodging of the crop.
Dr Hari Ram, Head of the Department of Agronomy at PAU, emphasised that timely light irrigation combined with recommended sprays can substantially reduce the adverse effects of rising temperatures. These measures help maintain both the yield and the quality of wheat grains.
Source: The Tribune
