Pulwama, Nov 25: Authorities of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Kashmir have urged farmers to adapt sowing practices to climate conditions.
The advisory came after much early blooming of mustard crop on a patch of land was observed in Androsa village of Pampore Tehsil in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Ghulam Qadir Raina, a resident of Pampore told Rising Kashmir that he procured mustard seeds from agriculture department and sowed them on 5 Kanal of land in Androsa area .
He added that the seeds were sown around 20 September following other farmers of his area.
He said that the crop showed quite early blooming.
“The crop attained around one and half feet height and bloomed much early,” he said, adding that a similar abnormal phenomenon was seen on one more kanal of land in the neighbourhood.
The farmer had no explanation for the early blooming of his mustard crop.
“I don’t know what caused the early blooming,” he said, adding the crop failure caused him loss.
Mustard seeds are usually sown during September- October in Kashmir and the crop normally blooms towards ending March after getting required chilling hours.
However, the blooming of mustard in certain pockets of Pampore is much earlier which may not withstand the snow or harsh winter ahead.
Ishtiyaq Ahmad, Agriculture Extension Officer ( AEO) Pampore, said it seems that on an average mustard crop takes 90 to 120 days to mature.
“ Sowing time plays an important factor,” he said, adding that the crop sown from mid August to 1st September may exhibit early blooming.
He said that from September to November the crop had been exposed to optimum temperature requirements for various vegetative and reproductive stages.
He said that to avoid the situation farmers must adapt farming practices according to climatic conditions.
“ During normal climate conditions we used to advise farmers to stop sowing by 15 October,” he said, adding that in the prevailing climate conditions sowing may be extended up to 1st November.
He said that the crop which has exhibited early blooming has no remedy because it will not withstand snowfall during the winter.
