India is trying to scale up the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) exports amid the Ukraine crisis, however, fear of low yields due to hot weather across north India may dampen these efforts.
- Cultivators said their per-acre yields (one acre equals 0.40 hectare) have fallen 10-15%. Heatwave conditions in March, when the crop was in advanced ripening stage, shrivelled grains, affecting both quality and weight of output. (HT)
- Such a weather pattern last occurred in 2010, when wheat yields dropped 26 per cent in Punjab.
What is terminal heat stress ?
- Extreme dry and hot weather prior to wheat harvest causes a condition known as terminal heat stress.
- Terminal heat stress in wheat occurs when mean temperature during grain filling stage goes above 31 °C.
- Drought and heat stress significantly reduce photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, leaf area and water-use efficiency of wheat.
- Heat stress increases evapotranspiration leading to drought stress in crop plants .
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