Mercury dip will aid wheat growth: Experts

The prevailing cold-weather conditions in the northern belt and frost in some areas of the region is expected to aid the sowing of wheat crop during the ongoing Rabi (winter) season, agricultural experts believe.

- Bhavey Nagpal

KARNAL:

Scientists at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) in Karnal said that wheat thrives in cold conditions and fog that is likely to cover the belt soon, is also a boon for the crop.

They said that so far 29.5 million hectare wheat sowing has been recorded in the country till the first fortnight of December, which is nearly 1.5 million hectares more than last year.

Wheat, the main winter crop, is sown between late October and early December, while the harvesting will start from April onwards.

Principal scientist Anuj Kumar said, "The prevailing weather will improve the grain filling with increased flowering and will improve the overall yield of the crop."

Officials of the state agriculture department said that frost on crops has been reported in the morning hours in the Hisar region and also in some places of Kaithal, which, Kumar said is also favourable for the crop.