JOIN USThe intense cold wave in north India is favourable for wheat crop as it helps in higher yield, though it can impact vegetables and fruits adversely if foggy and overcast conditions continue, experts said on Thursday.
“There is not going to be any adverse impact of cold wave on wheat crop at this stage. Rather the cold conditions will help in tillering of crop which will ultimately result in higher yield,” Karnal-based direcorate of wheat research project director Indu Sharma said.
But she said if foggy weather conditions prolong, then it may have some impact on crop
as fog restricts solar radiation or photosysnthisis activity of wheat which is necessary to achieve high yield.
Intense cold wave swept most parts of Punjab and Haryana as mercury is remaining several notches below normal level in various parts of two states.
She also asked wheat growers not to irrigate fields unnecessarily in prevailing weather conditions.
No need of water
“I have observed in Amritsar that some farmers are watering wheat crop which is not required at this stage as there is enough mositure in the environment. Therefore, farmers should irrigate crop while keeping in mind wheather conditions,” Sharma said.
Wheat sowing in Punjab and Haryana is almost complete as area under the winter crop is expected to cross the targeted area of 35 lakh hectares in Punjab while acreage in Haryana may reach the targeted area of 25.05 lakh hectares.
Crop disease
Horticulture experts, however, said if dense fog and mist continues to occur for some more days then it can cause emergence of disease like late blight on potato crop.
They further said minimum temperature should also not go below zero level as extreme cold conditions can cause severe damage to vegetables crop like potato, tomatoes and peas and fruits, including kinnow.