Varanasi: With rising temperatures in March and April posing a threat to wheat productivity across the Eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains, experts from the International Rice Research Institute South Asia Regional Centre have urged farmers to carefully monitor crop maturity and harvest on time to minimise losses caused by terminal heat stress.According to an advisory issued by ISARC, the grain-filling stage begins after flowering and continues until physiological maturity, when grain moisture is around 37%. Thereafter, moisture starts declining. Experts said harvesting should ideally be done at full maturity, though in current conditions, harvesting at 18–20% moisture can help secure yield without losses.Farmers have been advised to identify maturity through visible signs—yellowing stems and grains that make a cracking sound when pressed with teeth but do not break under fingernail pressure. Delayed harvesting can lead to grain shattering and losses, especially in late-sown crops, which often mature prematurely due to heat exposure.The advisory also highlighted that grain moisture above 14% can lead to reduced procurement rates or rejection. For safe storage, moisture should be maintained between 12–14%, while seeds meant for longer storage require even lower moisture to maintain germination quality. Experts recommended the use of hermetic or super bags to reduce insect damage and preserve seed viability.For manual harvesting, farmers should dry bundles for 3–4 days before threshing. However, labour shortages may delay harvesting and increase losses. In such cases, combine harvesters can be a more efficient and cost-effective option, provided they are operated at appropriate speeds to avoid grain loss during separation and cleaning. In lodged crop conditions, farmers should operate the cutter bar closer to the ground at reduced speed for better intake.
