By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: Lallan Roy, a progressive farmer of Rannuchak village in Nathnagar block has completed harvesting of wheat few days back, a major Rabi crop. The yield being quite less than expectation this time he is a worried man. The climatic changes mainly responsible for comparatively low production, Roy feels possibility cannot be ruled out about wheat production further registering low in future due to unpredictable weather changes.
Located in diara area, sowing of wheat crop is generally undertaken late in his village compared to villages located in tal area of state. For Roy who undertakes wheat cultivation in more than eight bigha of land said temperature remaining comparatively high during last winter season besides rainfall last week during harvesting proved to be double whammy for him so far satisfactory progress of last wheat season was concerned.
He informed winter temperature remaining comparatively high and absence of cold wave situation though did not affect grain setting in wheat crop to the extent it was apprehended however weather condition by and large reaming uncongenial for crop prospect, the yield was moderately affected adversely. Further rainfall during harvesting led to crop loss, he added.
He informed starting from late November wheat sowing is mostly undertaken in month of December in this region after paddy harvest. The available moisture in paddy fields and cold weather condition during winter is ideal for encouraging prospect of wheat crop Roy further said adding because of climatic changes it is being witnessed in recent years the weather conditions generally do not remain ideally suited for smooth progress of crop season.
Taking note temperature starts increasing since early March, the wheat growers in many cases are opting short duration varieties to avoid heat stress on crop though yield wise long duration varieties are better, he informed. It is not alone Roy, there are many other wheat growers who apprehend further changes in climatic front could seriously effect wheat production. Warm winters and subsequent heat stress could subsequently reduce wheat production in future, they feel.
Addressing stress factors by developing new climate resilient wheat varieties that can withstand adverse weather conditions without compromising with grain quality and yield is presently primary focus of agriculture researchers and scientists.
Taking lead in this direction the scientists of Bihar Agriculture University (BAU) have identified some new lines by crossing of available wheat varieties and trial of germplasms brought from other places that could be an answer for problems of wheat growers arising because of climatic changes and problem they face because of limited water availability.
Dr Sudhir Kumar, scientist also wheat research coordinator of BAU said in recent years it is being witnessed the wheat crop matures early without completing life cycle due to high atmospheric temperature March onwards. Since sowing of wheat crop is usually undertaken slightly late after paddy harvest, the heat stress during March triggers early maturity leading to adverse effect on crop yield and grain quality, he added.
Dr Kumar informed taking note of the problem quite number of new lines have been identified that are short duration varieties of hundred days life cycle. Apart from identification of climate resilient, disease resistant, high yielding new lines the trial of bio-fortified wheat varieties developed by university is also in progress, he added.
If everything goes well it may not be long when research council of university would recommend release of number of these lines currently in advanced stage of trial by state variety release committee and subsequently by central variety release committee. As per information different stages of trial is in progress of total eight to ten new identified lines found to be high yielding, disease resistant and climate resilient.
The new identified lines of wheat crop that can be particularly useful to withstand adverse effects of climate change include BRW 3959 yield of which has been found to be good even in condition of low water availability, BRW 3975 a high yielding heat tolerant variety, rich in nutritional content and BRW 3981 also found doing well in condition wherein water availability is low.
BRW 3982, BRW 3993, BRW 3996, BRW 3999, BRW 4001, BRW 4009, BRW 3988, BRW 3992 are other disease resistant and heat stress tolerant lines trial of which is in advanced stage presently. The new lines that have been particularly identified for wheat growers of Bihar include BRW 3923 and BRW 3954 that can be sown late.
For timely sowing new lines BRW 3964 and BRW 3967 have been identified for farmers of state. As per BAU authorities most of the identified new lines of wheat varieties would be available for farmers soon.
Dr D R Singh, Vice Chancellor (VC), BAU said the university aims at making available disease resistant wheat varieties to farmers that can yield wise do well in adverse weather condition and ensure high returns for farmers with low cultivation cost. The new undertrial varieties would provide high return to farmers, he added.
Corroborating climatic changes have been adversely affecting wheat production Dr Anil Kumar Singh, director (research), BAU said to deal with the situation new lines requiring less water and comparatively more resistant to both heat stress and diseases have been identified. Apart from proving useful for farmers of state the new varieties would also significantly contribute in ensuring food security, he added.
- Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.comContact number (mobile): +919431095516
