Symbolic photo.

If the current increase in temperature continues in March, the production of rabi wheat will be affected and the yield will be equal to or slightly less than last year's low.

It has been said in a report.

In Uttar Pradesh, which contributes about 30 per cent to wheat production, relatively good yields are expected in the eastern part due to timely sowing after the kharif paddy harvest.

Research agency CRISIL said on Wednesday that if higher temperatures persist in March, western Uttar Pradesh may see a slight decline due to late sowing.

The report states that late sown wheat in Punjab and Haryana has reached the flowering stage, while early sown lots are now in the milk formation stage and higher temperatures are detrimental to grain formation at both these stages.

Both the states have a contribution of 25 percent in the annual wheat production.

Similarly, wheat has been sown early in Bihar and the crop there is in grain formation/maturity stage, which may be less affected by heat.

The report states that although such abiotic factors are difficult to manage very effectively, farmers in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh are already spraying crop nutrients such as bio-stimulants and specialized fertilizers , which should help them deal with the heat wave to some extent.

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