Early wheat sowing ‘delivers best yield’

Experts pointed out wheat sown before November 15 ensures robust growth of shoots

MULTAN: Agriculture experts said on Monday that sowing wheat early in standing cotton crop saves time, resources and delivers best production results.

Experts, however, advised farmers to free the field from weeds and cotton should be picked from all the cotton bolls that are opened before sowing wheat, a release issued by media liaison unit of Punjab agriculture department stated.

The experts maintained that healthy and disease-free seeds of wheat should be chosen, while the seeds should be treated with anti-fungus agent before sowing.



They added after sowing, farmers should keep the beds wet or moist for better germination.

They pointed out wheat sown before November 15 ensures robust growth of shoots.

They said that farmers could finish picking of cotton from the remaining bolls from December 15 to 30. However, before embarking on last picking of cotton, farmers should apply 1.5 to two bags of DAP and a bag of Urea per acre and then complete the cotton picking and remove sticks.

They elaborated that wheat sown in cotton field should get water after seven to 10 days after sowing. Similarly, water should be applied in third week of December, in second week of January and in the third week of February.



This type of wheat sowing reduces weeds growth however, farmers should apply weedicides after consulting agriculture officials.

The experts said that in time sowing of wheat enhances wheat production by 50 %. It also reduces land preparation expenses by 95% and hence become a profitable practice.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2017.