Wheat crop hit by hailstorm in Punjab

Wheat crop in various parts of Punjab have been affected because of rains accompanied by hailstorm in the last few days, though the state agriculture department is expecting bumper output this Rabi marketing season.
However, the quantum of damage to the winter crop was still to be ascertained, as per latest report prepared by Punjab Agriculture department.
According to the report prepared for the February 16-19, wheat crops in districts including Fatehgarh Sahib, Pathankot, Kapurthala, Nawan Shahar and Tarn Taran got "flattened" because of hailstorm and strong winds.
Farm scientists said if crop has been hit and its ear heads are broken, then it can affect overall yield.

"If ear heads of wheat are broken due to hails storm, then there can be severe damage to the crop's output," Karnal based Directorate of Wheat Research, Project Director, Indu Sharma said.
"And if crop is flattened, there can also be chances of some loss to the crop," she added.

Light to moderate rains alongwith strong winds and hailstorm swept several parts of Punjab.
However, the report with regard to any damage to crops because of fresh spell of rain is yet to come.
"There is not much loss to wheat crop. We are expecting number crop this year," Punjab Agriculture Director, MS Sandhu said today.