Director of Agriculture Sargodha Muhammad Shahid has emphasized the need for adopting modern agricultural techniques to harvest better wheat crops. According to information available with WealthPK, Shahid has advised farmers to give second water to the wheat crops some 80-90 days after sowing and at a stage when the fruit is about to sprout, as it will increase the size and number of grains. ‘’Any delay or no water at this stage would lower the production and the grain would be shorter in size,’’ he added.

He also warned farmers of the risk of Aphid attacks and advised them to perform pest scouting regularly and adopt an integrated pest management plan. "Aphid attacks wheat crops in the form of groups. The farmers should shake the plants whenever they notice Aphid, so that they fall down. They should also remove weeds from within and around the field as these serve as habitat for the pests. They can also apply tools to remove weeds or weedicides like Glyphosate after consulting the relevant officials,’’ he said, adding that farmers could also spray water on plants in intervals in case of an Aphid attack.

Shahid further said farmers could also introduce crop-friendly pests like ladybirds, Chrysopa, betel, surfed fly, parasites and spiders in the field in case of Aphid attack and could seek the department's help for this biological control technique. ‘’These friendly pests are provided free of cost to the farmers from the government laboratories functioning in almost every tehsil and district of the division,” he said. The director advised farmers against the unnecessary application of pesticides, saying it should be done only when unavoidable. Since wheat is a food crop, it must be free from pesticide residue, he advised.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk