“The higher day temperature might lead to an adverse effect on wheat as wheat crop is approaching reproductive growth period, which is sensitive to temperature,” the IMD said in a statement. “High temperature during flowering and maturing period leads to a loss in yield. There could be a similar impact on other standing crops and horticulture.”
The maximum temperature in major wheat-growing states of Gujarat and Maharashtra was 35-39 degrees Celsius, said the weather office, 3-5 degrees Celsius above normal over northwest, central and west India, where wheat is a major rabi crop.
Last year a similar rise in temperature in wheat-producing states brought wheat production down to 106.84 million tonnes from 109.59 mt in 2021, leading to a ban on the exports of the commodity by the world’s second-largest wheat producer.
This led to an increase in the private purchase of wheat, causing a significant reduction in government procurement. The prices of the cereal increased abnormally in January, forcing the government to sell wheat in the open market to millers and other traders.
On Monday, the IMD had said that February witnessed an abnormal increase in temperature, forecasting heatwave-like conditions in parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra-Goa region.
In its advisory on Tuesday, the weather office advised farmers to check if the crop appears to be under stress and said in such a situation, light irrigation can be provided. “To reduce the impact of higher temperature, add mulch material in the space between two rows of vegetable crops for conservation of soil moisture and maintaining the soil temperature,” it said.Apart from wheat, the high temperature could also adversely affect other standing crops and horticulture crops, said the IMD.
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