Mustard crop yield in north seen hit by frost

Mustard crop in northern states has been adversely affected owing to frost last month and above normal temperature in the past few days.

This may lower the crop yield and oil content of seeds, though the country's overall mustard production may not be affected following the about 10 per cent expansion in acreage under this crop in the current rabi.

A field survey by the Delhi-based Mustard Research and Promotion Consortium (MRPC) has revealed heavy crop damage in northern states, especially in Haryana and Rajasthan, owing to continuous frost formation spell of eight to ten days in January.

The harsh weather had broken the 70-year-old record for low temperature and frost occurrence in the entire northern mustard belt of Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh Rajasthan and Delhi.

The fields planted early in the season have been hit badly because the developing seed got frozen owing to extreme cold and frost. The outer cover of the seed was also severely damaged, the survey revealed.

The MRPC has estimated a seed damage of 40 to 50 per cent in the crop sown prior to October 15. The damage was lower in the fields planted after this date.

The rise in temperature in the first week of February is also believed to be unfavourable for the standing mustard crop. The high temperature at the seed setting stage has adversely affected the shape of the seed as well as its growth.

Most seeds have failed to acquire round shape and have remained under-weight as they have not grown to their full size. "Most likely, it will reduce the critical oil content in the seed this year", the MRPC has said.

However, the MPRC has projected about ten per cent increase in the area under mustard cultivation. This may mitigated the harmful effect of weather on over all production.