High Feb temp likely to hamper wheat yields

WITH the temperature rising above normal in February, the fate of wheat crops in Northwest India looks uncertain. The rising temperature may shrivel wheat pods, impacting the quality and quantity of its production.

- JITENDRA CHOUBEY @New Delhi

Wheat production in India has seen a decline in last three years. The grain at the pod filling stage needs a minimum or low temperature to help the grain take a robust shape.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), maximum temperatures in Northwest India are reportedly 2-6 °C above normal in different pockets. The minimum temperatures also rise above normal by 1-3 °C. The staple crop wheat grows over 75 per cent in Northwest India.