Wheat Crop: Cold Wave Irrigation - Crucial Yet Dangerous! Avoid Mistakes to Save Your Harvest

• Irrigating wheat during a cold wave requires extreme caution; frost can lower soil temperature, weakening roots and halting growth.
• Agricultural scientist Prof. Ashok Kumar Singh advises irrigation only when moisture is genuinely lacking, especially if a frost warning is issued.
• The first irrigation at the Crown Root Initiation (CRI) stage (20-25 days after sowing) should be light and uniform, avoiding water accumulation.
• Apply 6-7 cm of water slowly between 10 AM and 3 PM during winter to prevent soil hardening and frost risk, which is fatal for crops.
• Beyond irrigation, weed control and balanced fertilizer management are vital for healthy plants to withstand cold waves and ensure better production.

Why It Matters: Careful irrigation, timely weather checks, and proper crop management are crucial to protect wheat from cold wave damage.