PAU EXPERTS SHARE TIPS FOR OBTAINING HIGHER YIELD OF WHEAT SOWN WITH HAPPY SEEDER

Ludhiana, January 18, 2019: The Punjab Agricultural University experts, Dr R.K.Gupta and R.S.Gill shared important tips for farmers growing wheat sown with happy seeder. Dr Gupta said that happy seeder sown wheat demands different practices of fertilizer and water application because of the presence of rice straw in the field. Dr Gill shared that in late sown wheat crop or in crop where second dose of urea has not been applied, broadcasting of the second installment of 44 kg urea has to be done before irrigation followed by immediate application of irrigation. “Farmers need to note that recommended amount of urea should be applied before irrigation and not after irrigation”, stressed Dr Gill. He warned that the amount of urea applied after irrigation does not help in increasing the crop yields, rather adds to the cost of production. The farmers should also note that there is sufficient moisture in happy seeder sown wheat due to the presence of chopped straw acting as mulch in between the wheat rows. Therefore, farmers are advised to apply light irrigation as the chopped straw in between wheat rows performs the function of absorbing moisture on one hand and not allowing water to evaporate, on the other. The experts further advise that applying heavy irrigation will deplete air (oxygen) present in the root zone area, restrict air circulation and eventually cause the crop to turn pale yellow. “In case of rain after first or second irrigation, depletion o oxygen from root zone can aggravate yellowing of the crop; however in such situations, sunny days help to recover the crop,” say experts. Alternatively, farmers can also make foliar application of 2% urea for early recovery.