TAXILA: Recent rains have brightened the prospects of better wheat crops in the Potohar region, experts and farmers told Dawn on Wednesday.

The experts believed that not only wheat but all other Rabi crops including oil seeds and grams will also benefit from the rains.

Talking to Dawn, deputy district officer agriculture Tahir Mehmood termed the rains as blessing for the wheat growers.

The rains have not only moisturized the land but also brought the temperature down which is very healthy for the wheat crop, he added.

The wet spell will keep the soil moisture for long time which is beneficial for the sprouting wheat crop, he added.

Responding to a question, he said the rain would also provide relief to those farmers whose wheat crop was yellowish due to delayed sowing or lack of water.

The agriculturist said at this stage Urea utilisation would almost double their wheat production.

However, he expressed fear that if rains continued in a similar fashion, it could damage the wheat plants which had yet to get its proper length due to late moisturising and germination.

The Taxila Kissan council chairman, Shaukat Ayub, advised the farmers to use less irrigation water following good winter rains.

He, however, expressed the fear that if the wet spell continued, the wheat plant would attract different diseases.

He said that dip in mercury might delay the the ripening of wheat crop, and the harvesting was likely to start by mid of May instead of last week of April.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2015

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