In the Northern Indian plain, the maximum temperature in February 2023 was hovering around 32-330C in most of the area, and this temperature is unlikely to impact the wheat grain growth adversely as crop canopy temperature can be easily modulated by 2-30C less than air temperature by irrigation. In central and peninsular India, the temperature always remains comparatively higher against northern plain throughout the crop growth period and crop phenology is naturally adjusted accordingly.Therefore, in these area also, the temperature as high as 350C is also not going to impact wheat yield adversely.
Based on the surveys conducted by ICAR-Indian Institute of Wheat & Barley Research (IIWBR), Karnal in collaboration of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), it is found that wheat crop situation is normal.
The scientists of ICAR have issued the advisory of giving light irrigation to modulate the crop canopy temperature favourably as and when required. ICAR-IIWBR issues weekly advisory to the farmers and the information is circulated to state agriculture departments, KVKs and SAUs. The advisory is uploaded regularly on websites, Facebook and circulated to various stakeholders through WhatsApp group. Further, foliar spray of MOP @0.2 per cent (200 litres/acre) is recommended to minimize the heat shock. These advisories have been issued through Pusa Samachar published by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi also. All extension agencies from Central and State Governments along with ICAR/SAUs visit the farmers’ fields regularly and provide timely advisories to the farmers, wherever heat stress conditions can have adverse effects.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha Today.
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