Rabi crops under stress as rain eludes Haryana this winter

Tribune News Service

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, January 23

Rain has eluded the state this winter as there has been no rainfall so far. This is the most rain-deficient month of January, which equals ‘nil rain’ in the corresponding month in 2016. The year 2016 had recorded a rainfall of 1.2 mm in February.

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) data stated that Haryana has an average of 9.3mm rainfall, but has recorded no rainfall until now. The IMD said the chances of showers in the next week were slim, even as chilly winds continued to sweep the region.

Since the input costs are set to increase due to the lack of rain, experts have issued an alert to rabi crop growers with regard to yellow rust and deficiency of micronutrients in plants, especially wheat crops.

Dr Om Prakash Bishnoi, a wheat scientist of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), said due to the prolonged cold and absence of sunny days, crops were under stress. “The crops need sun. Wheat plants have started turning yellow, indicating that they are under stress and suffering from lack of macronutrients,” he said.

He advised the farmers to resort to light irrigation. “Since there has been no rain or winter showers this season, the plants are under double stress. The farmers need to undertake light irrigation of wheat, mustard and other crops,” he said. Though it would increase input costs, the weather situation called for it.

Dr Bishnoi also asked the farmers to be careful about yellow rust in wheat. “These are the most favourable conditions for yellow rust. They must keep a constant watch on the crops and spray mixtures, as per the advice of the HAU,” he said, adding that the prevailing conditions could adversely affect the wheat yield. Dr ML Khichar, head of the Agri-Meteorological Department, HAU, said it was rare that there had been no rain until now.

Meanwhile, it was yet another extreme cold day as the maximum temperature was 13°C in Hisar and 8.2°C in Fatehabad, which is about 10 degrees below normal. The lowest minimum temperature of 2.9°C was recorded in Mahendragarh.

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