Pulses sowing area rose by 9 per cent to over 150 lakh hectares but wheat acreage declined to 273 lakh hectares in the ongoing rabi season so far. Data released by the Agriculture Ministry said the total area sown under Rabi crops stands at over 565 lakh hectares as compared to 571 lakh hectare last year. The Ministry said, as per preliminary reports received from the states, the area under pulses was over 150 lakh hectares so far as against 138 lakh hectares in the year-ago period. Wheat acreage fell to 273 lakh hectares from 290 lakh hectares during the period. The coarse cereals have been sown in over 50 lakh hectare, Oilseeds in 74 lakh hectare.