Rain brings cheer to wheat growers, will improve yield
A brief spell of rainfall not only helped in settling down smog and other pollutants, but also provided the much-needed moisture to the soil, which is considered beneficial for the wheat crop sown on an estimated over 34 lakh hectares across the state. The showers also brought down the mercury today.
“Today’s rain will prove beneficial for all, especially farmers. It provided much need moisture to the soil, as the state had received almost no rain in the run-up to winters. Fog and sunny weather in coming days will further benefit the crop,” said experts.
Officials of the Agriculture Department said in the past, sudden rise in temperature during winter had led to thinning and shortening of the size of wheat grain. Wheat is very sensitive to high temperatures, especially at the grain development stage. Temperature has a direct effect on the number and weight of grain.
The rain has also delayed the need for irrigation and is expected to reduce crop stress, facilitating better growth.
“If the similar weather continues in the coming days, it will result in good yield,” said Sukhjit Singh, a farmer from Sanaur. “The quantum of rainfall today was just right. Wheat does not require much water. The rain today will aid good, quality yield,” he added.