FAISALABAD, Oct 26 (APP):Agriculture experts have advised the farmers in irrigated areas to complete wheat cultivation
from November 01 to 20 and use certified seed of approved varieties to achieve higher per-acre
yields.
A spokesman of Agriculture (Extension) Department said here on Monday that timely cultivation
and proper field preparation are imperative for better crop production.
He said that the farmers should preferably cultivate the department’s recommended wheat varieties
including Akbar-19, Falak-24, Sawera-24, Urooj-22, Ujala-2016, Johar-2016, Inqilab-2017,
Fakhr-e-Bhakkar-17, Bhakkar Star-19, Ghazi-19, Nishan-21 and Dilkash-20 in irrigated areas.
He advised the growers to maintain a seed rate of 40 to 45 kilograms (kg) per acre and
ensure that the seed germination rate was not less than 85 percent.
The farmers should treat wheat seed with an appropriate chemical before sowing in consultation
with local agriculture experts to protect the crop against seed-borne diseases, he added.
For effective seed treatment, he recommended using a rotating drum to ensure uniform application
of the prescribed chemical. If such equipment was unavailable, the farmers could use a plastic bag
filled only halfway with the measured quantity of seed and the recommended chemical. After securely
tying the bag, they should shake it thoroughly while holding both ends to ensure that every seed
was properly coated, he added.
He emphasized that thorough field preparation and proper land leveling were equally important
for obtaining a healthy wheat crop and improving productivity.
He advised the farmers to plough hard and compact fields two to three times and level uneven
land with a conventional or laser land leveler wherever necessary.
Before applying pre-sowing irrigation, the fields should be divided into smaller sections
to ensure that a larger area could be irrigated with less water, he added.
He said that as the sowing period approaches, the growers should plough their fields before
sunrise and follow each ploughing with planking, repeating the process two to three times.
This practice helps eliminate weeds and bring moisture from deeper soil layers towards the
surface, creating favorable conditions for uniform seed germination, he added.
He stressed that the use of certified seed, adherence to the recommended sowing schedule,
proper seed treatment and efficient water management could significantly contribute to better
wheat yields in irrigated areas of Punjab.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
