North India can expect more warm days this week. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperatures are likely to remain 5 to 7 degree Celsius above normal over many parts of northwest India for the next three days.
This may adversely impact the wheat crop that is approaching the stage of reproductive growth, which is sensitive to temperature, the meteorological department warned through a late evening press release issued on Monday.
"High temperature during flowering and maturing period leads to loss in yield. There could be a similar impact on other standing crops and horticulture," met said.
Last year, in March – the warmest recorded in India since 1901 – wheat yield had shrunk by 2.5 per cent because of the heat.
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In its advisory, the met has urged farmers to regularly check if crops appear to be under stress, in which case light irrigation can be provided.
To mitigate the impact of higher temperatures, add mulch in the space between the two rows of vegetable crops to conserve moisture in the soil and maintain its temperature,