Current weather good for wheat

YAMUNANAGAR: People might largely be cursing the weather gods for the rain, chill and fog, but the farming community is upbeat as the prevailing conditions are proving beneficial for wheat crop.
Scientists feel if the temperature continues to be low for some more days, it would prove good for the crop.
“This weather not only helps in natural irrigation but also aids tillering of wheat crop,” said a senior scientist of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Damala, Dr Baldev Kamboj.
He advised the farmers that they should ensure weeding in their fields as early as possible or the crop growth could be retarded. He said it was the best time to administer a second doze of urea to the crop.
Deputy director agriculture, Yamunanagar, Dr Pradeep Meel, feels it has rained well in time and it was an indication of bumper crop.
“Yamunanagar district has an area of 85,000 hectare under wheat crop this year. The rainfall over the last two days here is sufficient for growth of the crop,” said Dr Meel.
With the occurrence of timely rain, there would be no need for a second round of irrigation, which stands to save diesel and electricity worth crores. “We were thinking of a second round of irrigation for the crop, but the rain would help us save diesel,” said a farmer of Bhilpura village, Rati Ram.
On the other hand, the prevailing weather is upsetting vegetable-growers as they are being forced to make extra efforts to save their crop. According to vegetable-growers, the chilly and foggy weather has damaged recently sown vegetable plants.
“Vegetable-growers needn’t panic. Although the weather may cause a little harm to potato crop, there would be no loss to other vegetable crops. Farmers can protect their potato crop by spraying pesticides,” said Kamboj.