Rain brings cheer to wheat growers

Tribune News Service

Karnal, January 22

Light to moderate rain in the region on Tuesday brought cheer to wheat growers as it ended a dry spell going on for the last several days.

Scientists of the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) and agricultural experts said rain at this stage was good for the wheat crop as it would bring the temperature down.

It would be beneficial for the mustard crop as well, they said. The authorities said wheat sowing had been completed on around 24.7 lakh hectares in the state till last week.

“Rain is required at this time as it is good for all wheat varieties. It has reduced the temperature, which is good for tillering,” said Dr GP Singh, Director, IIWBR.

He denied any adverse effect of a hailstorm on the wheat crop. He said the crop was at a pre-flowering stage and a hailstorm could cause losses after this stage.

Experts urged farmers not to allow water stagnation in their fields if more rain took place. “No case of yellow rust has been detected in the region. I urge farmers not to let water stagnate in their fields,” said Dr Singh.

Yamunanagar: Widespread rain in Yamunanagar district brought cheer to farmers who had sown wheat, mustard and gram. “We were planning to irrigate the fields. This rain will fulfil the requirement of irrigation for crops,” said Joginder Singh, a farmer of Devdhar village.

Chhachhrauli block received 10 mm of rain, followed by 8 mm in Jagadhri, Bilaspur and Sadhaura and 7 mm in Radaur till 8 am.