Chandigarh, April 17 -- With the Punjab government advancing the paddy transplantation date from June 1 onwards, the farmers are seeking to plant the long-duration and water-guzzling PUSA-44 variety, forcing experts to flag concerns over a depleting water table and an increase in crop residue which in turn can lead to a spike in farm fires.

Experts said there will be an adverse impact on the ecology as the variety will need more irrigation cycles leading to a consumption of 20% more groundwater and the crop also produces 20-25% more residue and if burnt after the harvest in the October-November months will produce a higher quantity of smoke.

"It is long duration variety with seed to seed life cycle of 160 days, and if sown in June it wi...