Be vigilant against yellow rust in wheat, farmers told

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 29

Looking at some cases of yellow rust affecting wheat crop in some parts of the state such as Hoshiarpur and Pathankot, the district Agriculture Department has asked farmers to stay vigilant. One of the department officials said the disease affects the development of the crop and ultimately the yield gets hit.

Last year, such cases were observed in Jalandhar too. Yellow rust is an airborne disease that can only be controlled if it adopts preventive measures on time.

Dr Nazar Singh, Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), said the farmers had been sensitised to the issue and the technical staff had been advised to remain available for the farmers even on their off days.

The farmers from the Bhogpur, Adampur, Phillaur, Jalandhar West and Jalandhar East constituencies have been advised to remain more cautious. The farmers have also been advised to bring it in the notice of the department if they find any kind of symptom of the disease.

The department has also been making farmers aware of attacks by insects on crops. Recently, it organised a workshop in this regard. During the workshop, PAU scientists threw light on the fall armyworm insect, which is gregarious in nature.

According to officials, it came to light for the first time in the district around August last year. “It is quite destructive for the crop. “It can fly long and it feeds mostly on maize,” the officials said.

Besides, the department had also issued an advisory on locusts attack and asked the farmers not to worry about it. As swarms of locusts had attacked crops in Rajasthan, farmers in Punjab were tense that their crops would get damaged if they reach the state.

The department had appealed to farmers that there was no need to worry as 15 experts had been working to monitor the situation.