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Cold may increase wheat yield

Chandigarh: The current cold conditions, which have affected the vegetable and fruit crops in Punjab, has proved to be a boon for the wheat crop with agriculture experts anticipating an increase in yield by 1-2 quintals per hectare if the current spell prolongs for some more days.

“The wheat yield may increase from 42 quintals per hectare at present to 43-44 quintals if the cold wave conditions persist for a couple of days more,” Punjab State Farmers Commission senior economist P.S. Rangi said on Wednesday.

Describing the ongoing weather as ‘conducive’ and ‘beneficial’ for the wheat crop, experts pointed out that, “the cold wave promotes tillering of the wheat crop which would further help in enhancing the wheat output.”

The cold conditions would also restrain the attack of insect or pests on the wheat crop, they said.

Last year, the sudden rise in temperature during the end of January by 1-2 degree in the night had hit the crop hard.

“But this year, the situation is altogether different which will turn out to be beneficial for wheat,” said a senior official of Punjab Agriculture Department.

The matter also assumes significance as unfavourable weather conditions in the past had turn out to be a major impediment in the growth of wheat production forcing the state Agriculture Department to fix modest wheat output target.

After attaining highest wheat yield level in 1999-2000 of 46.96 quintals per hectare, Punjab was unable to maintain the wheat yield which started declining from 2000-2001 at 45.63 quintals per hectare, 45.32 quintals per hectare in 2001-02 and 42 quintals per hectare in 2002-03.

However, it improved marginally in 2003-04 and 2004-05 at 42.07 quintals and 42.21 quintals respectively. But it again dipped to 41.79 quintals per hectare in 2005-06. -- PTI

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