Extended monsoon may hit paddy crop

The kharif crop, especially paddy, could be in trouble as scientists predict harsh effects of the extended monsoon on productivity of the crop.

Scientists at the Rice Research Station at Kaul district in Haryana maintained the extended monsoon, coupled with high temperature, had put paddy under the risk of being attacked by plant hoppers.

The productivity of the crop is likely to be affected by 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

Rattan Singh, senior scientist at the Rice Research Station maintained the extended monsoon could lead to discolouration of the grains, which would only occur in the non-basmati variety. He added the high temperature and high humidity could multiply the attack from plant hoppers.

The scientist reported attacks on paddy from plant hoppers has started in some of the districts of Haryana, and further indicated it could multiply in the future.

Another scientist said the crop which is at the flowering stage, could suffer shedding off pollen because of excessive rains. The crop could also suffer lodging on account of rains, affecting its productivity. Another threat looming large on paddy is the overgrowth of the plant on account of extended monsoons.

Haryana has set a target of 1,150,000 hectares of area under paddy this year. Agriculture officials maintained paddy area in Haryana has reached 1,150,000 hectares, even though it fell short of last year’s total area of 1,205,000 hectares.

No account has been taken of the impact of the late floods on the paddy area which had hit the state this month affecting 28,600 acres of cropped area.