With the monsoon fully withdrawn and the “Gulabi Thand” setting in, the focus of Haryana’s agrarian economy has shifted to wheat. HAU Hisar today provided a roadmap for farmers to maximize their yields by prioritizing early sowing and proper soil nutrition.
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The Optimal Window: Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.R. Kamboj stated that early sowing allows the wheat crop a longer duration for vegetative growth and helps in avoiding terminal heat stress during the grain-filling stage in March. “The best time for early sowing varieties is from October 25 to November 5,” he advised.
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Top Recommended Varieties:
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WH 1270: Recommended for early sowing under high-fertility conditions; it has an average yield of 75.8 q/ha and can go up to 91.5 q/ha.
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WH 1402: A new “boon” for areas with less water; it yields up to 68 q/ha with just two irrigations.
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WH 1105 & HD 2967: Trusted varieties for timely sowing in irrigated areas.
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Field Preparation Tips: * Soil Health: Farmers are advised to conduct soil testing before sowing.
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Nutrition: Use a balanced dose of Phosphorus (60 kg), Potash (40 kg), and Zinc Sulphate (25 kg) per hectare as a basal dose.
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Seed Treatment: To prevent soil-borne diseases and smut, seeds must be treated with Carbendazim or Thiram (2.5g per kg of seed) before sowing.
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Moisture Management: The advisory warns that current day temperatures are still slightly high. Farmers should ensure “Palewa” (pre-sowing irrigation) to maintain adequate moisture in the soil, ensuring uniform germination.
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Late Sowing Warning: For fields where paddy harvesting is delayed, the university recommended its heat-tolerant variety WH 1309, which can be sown as late as December or January.
Economic Impact: Agricultural experts believe that early sowing could help Haryana maintain its status as a top contributor to the national food basket. By following the HAU guidelines, farmers can potentially increase their output by 4 to 8 quintals per acre compared to late-sown crops.
