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Late paddy harvesting delays wheat sowing
The state government's attempt to delay the sowing of paddy to check the rapid depletion of ground water might have resulted in a good crop, but the use of late varieties and climate changes were expected to alter the potential yield and overall production of Rabi (wheat) crop this season.
Normally, the wheat crop is sown in the first week of November, but with the delay in sowing, harvesting and procurement of paddy, the schedule of wheat crop has taken a hit. To cover-up the delay, farmers have shifted to late-sown wheat varieties like PBW-373 and PBW-509.
"Obviously, the sowing timeperiod affects the growth and yield of wheat crop. Early sowing always gives higher yield.
Now, farmers have shifted to late-sown strains of wheat crop, but these varieties offer poor yield," said B.S Sohal, an agriculture expert.
"Last year, sufficient rainfall at suitable time caused high soil moisture following profuse vegetative growth during the primordial initiation stage," he said. But this year lack of appropriate rainfall was causing low soil moisture that was directly affecting the growth of the crops.
Dr B.S Sidhu, Director Agriculture, Punjab, said it was too early to comment on the issue.
Darshan Singh, a local farmer of Kauli village, 15 km from Patiala, said: "The decision of the government might have given high yield from paddy, but the bumper crop has also resulted in less remunerative to a few farmers and now due to long-power cuts, we are facing a tough time in irrigating the fields."
The state government's attempt to delay the sowing of paddy to check the rapid depletion of ground water might have resulted in a good crop, but the use of late varieties and climate changes were expected to alter the potential yield and overall production of Rabi (wheat) crop this season.
Normally, the wheat crop is sown in the first week of November, but with the delay in sowing, harvesting and procurement of paddy, the schedule of wheat crop has taken a hit. To cover-up the delay, farmers have shifted to late-sown wheat varieties like PBW-373 and PBW-509.
"Obviously, the sowing timeperiod affects the growth and yield of wheat crop. Early sowing always gives higher yield.
Now, farmers have shifted to late-sown strains of wheat crop, but these varieties offer poor yield," said B.S Sohal, an agriculture expert.
"Last year, sufficient rainfall at suitable time caused high soil moisture following profuse vegetative growth during the primordial initiation stage," he said. But this year lack of appropriate rainfall was causing low soil moisture that was directly affecting the growth of the crops.
Dr B.S Sidhu, Director Agriculture, Punjab, said it was too early to comment on the issue.
Darshan Singh, a local farmer of Kauli village, 15 km from Patiala, said: "The decision of the government might have given high yield from paddy, but the bumper crop has also resulted in less remunerative to a few farmers and now due to long-power cuts, we are facing a tough time in irrigating the fields."
