Wheat a cereal grain, is high source of protein as well as fiber, also it is good source of manganese and magnesium. Its origin lies in east and Ethiopian highlands. Three species of wheat namely T. aestivum, T. durum and T. dicoccum are being cultivated in the country. In India, it is mainly grown in Rabi (winter) season. India is the fourth largest producer of wheat in the world after Russia, the USA and China accounts for 8.7 per cent of the world’s total production. In India Haryana, Punjab and UP are major wheat growing states. In Haryana near about 23 lakh hectares area is under wheat cultivation.

It is grown in variety of soils of India. Soils with a clay loam or loam texture, good structure and moderate water holding capacity are ideal for wheat cultivation. Very porous and soil having less water holding capacity are not suitable for wheat cultivation. Under dry condition, heavy soil with good drainage, are suitable for cultivation. Heavy soils with poor structure and poor drainage are not suitable as wheat is sensitive to water logging.

C 306: Suitable for poor soil and less irrigated areas. Grains are medium in size and shiny, hard and having amber color. Gives average yield of 10 qtl/acre.

Sonalika: An early maturing single dwarf wheat with wide adaptation and attractive amber grains.It is suitable for late sowing and resistant to rusts. Gives average yield of 16.8 qtl/acre.

PBW 343: Suitable for irrigated and late sown areas. Ready to harvest in 130-135 days. It is resistant to lodging, water logging conditions. It is also resistant to kernal bunt and tolerant to blight. It gives average yield of 19 qtl/acre.

WH 711: Suitable for timely sown, irrigated and fertile soils of Haryana. Grains are of medium size, hard and of amber color. Gives average yield of 24 qtl/acre.

UP 2338: Suitable for timely and late sowing. Grains are bold and hard. Gives average yield of 23 qtl/acre.

WH 542: Suitable for timely sowing fertile and irrigated lands. Grains are of medium size, hard and of amber color. Gives average yield of 23 qtl/acre. It is also resistant to kernal bunt.

WH 416: Suitable for early and timely sowing. Suitable for low fertile but irrigated lands. Grains are long, medium in size with amber color. Resistant to brown rust but susceptible to yellow rust. Gives average yield of 22 qtl/acre.

WH 283: Suitable for timely sowing areas. Grains are medium, hard and having shiny amber color. Resistant to brown and yellow rust. Gives average yield of 20 qtl/acre. 

WH 147: Suitable for timely sowing, low fertile and irrigated lands. Grains are medium, soft and having shiny amber color. Resistant to brown rust and kernal bunt diease. Gives average yield of 20 qtl/acre.

WH 157: Suitable for timely sowing, fertile and irrigated lands. Grains are bigger, hard and having color. Gives average yield of 19 qtl/acre.  

Raj 3765: Suitable for late sowing, fertile and irrigated lands of Haryana. Resistant to yellow and brown rust. Gives average yield of 18.5 qtl/acre.

Kathiya Gehu Varieties

WH 912: Suitable for timely sowing, irrigated areas of whole Haryana. Grains are long, bold with attractive color. Gives average yield of 22 qtl/acre.

WH 896: Suitable for timely sowing, irrigated areas of whole Haryana. Grains are big with attractive color. Gives average yield of 21 qtl/acre. Resistant to rust and kernal bunt disease.

Other states Variety

Kalyansona: A double dwarf wheat with wide adaptation recommended for cultivation all over India. This variety is very vulnerable to rust. Therefore, it is advisable to grow it only in rust free regions.

UP(368): High yielding variety developed by Pantnagar. It is resistant to rust and Karnal bunt.

WL(711): It is single dwarf, high yielding and medium maturing variety. It is moderately susceptible to powdery mildew and Karnal bunt.

UP(319): It is triple dwarf wheat with high level of rust resistance. To avoid losses to shattering, it should be harvested at appropriate time.

Wheat crop requires a well pulverized but compact seed-bed for good and uniform germination. After harvesting of previous crop, the field should be ploughed with disc or mould board plough. Take one deep ploughing followed by two or three harrowing with disc harrow and 2-3 planking should be given to prepare a well pulverized seed bed. For good germination, apply pre-sowing irrigation 7-10 days before sowing. Carried out ploughing in evening time and kept furrow open whole night to absorb some moisture from dew. Planking should be done after each ploughing early in the morning.

Time of sowing
Wheat must be sown at the optimum time. The optimum time of sowing is 25 October to 15 November. Delayed sowing causes a gradual decline in the yield of wheat. In case of delay sowing complete sowing before third week of December. For Kathiya wheat, last week of October to first week of November is best time of sowing.  

Spacing
For normal sown crop a spacing of 20 - 22.5 cm between rows is recommended. When sowing is delayed a closer spacing of 15-18 cm should be adopted.

Sowing Depth
For tall varieties use sowing depth of 6-7 cm where as for other varieties use sowing depth of 5-6 cm.

Method of sowing
Sowing can be done manually by
1.Seed drill
2.Broadcasting method
 

Seed Rate
For small grain size varieties, use seed rate of 40 kg/acre and for bold seeded variety use seed rate of 50 kg/acre. In case late sowing use seed rate of 60 kg/acre. The seed should be cleaned and graded thoroughly before sowing.

Seed Treatment
To protect seeds from termite, false smut, loose smut treat seeds with chloropyriphos@4 ml/kg of seeds or tebuconazole 2 DS@1.5-1.87 gm/kg seed or with carbendazim or thiram@2 gm/kg of seeds 24 hours before sowing. After chemical treatment treat seeds with trichoderma viride 1.15 % WP@4 gm/kg of seeds.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Apply fertilizer depending upon soil test. With the help of soil test we can give fertilizer dose as per soil requirement. For irrigated areas, apply N:P:K@60:24:12 kg/acre in the form of Urea@130 kg, SSP@150 kg and MOP@20 kg/acre for Irrigated lands. Apply half dose of Nitrogen and Full dose of P and K at the time of sowing. Apply remaining amount of nitrogen at time of first irrigation. Whereas for unirrigated areas, use N:P:K@12:6:0 kg/acre in form of Urea@26 kg and SSP@40 kg/acre. Apply whole amount of N, P and K at time of sowing.
 
Application of Zinc Sulphate@10 kg/acre was found to increase the yield substantially. Zinc deficiency can also be corrected by foliar spray of 0.5% zinc sulphate. Take two to three sprays at intervals of 15 days.

For better tillering and yield, spray 19:19:19 water soluble fertilizer@5 gm + Sticker@0.5 ml/Ltr water after 30 days of sowing.

Cultural and Preventive: Cultural practices such as time and method of sowing, crop density and geometry, crop varieties, dose, method and time of fertilizer application, time and method of irrigation have pronounced effect on crop-weed interference. Use clean wheat seed that is free from weed seeds. Pull out weeds before seed setting. Keep irrigation channels free from weeds.

Chemical weed control: Preferred because of less labour requirement and no mechanical damage during manual weeding. As pre-emergence, apply Pendimethalin(Stomp 30EC)@1320 ml/acre at 0-3 days before sowing in 200 liters of water/acre.

Broad leaf weeds control: Apply 2-4,D@200-400 gm/acre, 25-30 days after sowing. After the crop has received its first irrigation at CRI stage. Fluroxypur@80-240 gm/acre is a good alternative to 2,4-D for controlling broad leaf weeds.
Spray the herbicides, both pre and post emergence, when there is sufficient moisture in the soil. Spray on clear and sunny days.
If mixed weeds is a problem, at 30-35 days, spray 160 gm Clodinafop-propargyl+metsulfuron-methyl ready mix +500ml surfectant/200Ltr water/acre.
 

The number of irrigations required will vary depending upon soil type, water availability etc. Crown root initiation and heading stages are the most critical to moisture stress. For dwarf high yielding varieties, give pre-sowing irrigation. Four to six irrigations are enough for wheat crop. First irrigation should be given 20-25 days after sowing. This is crown root initiation stage and moisture stress at this stage will lead to yield loss. In cooler regions like hilly tracts and in late sown wheat, it is desirable to apply first irrigation approximately 25-30 days after sowing. At tillering stage within 40-45 days after sowing, apply second irrigation. Third irrigation within 70-75 days after sowing at late jointing stage. At flowering stage (within 90-95 days) give fourth irrigation. Fifth irrigation at dough stage (within 110-115 days after sowing).
Under limited water supply, apply irrigation only at crtical stage. When water is available for only one irrigation then apply at crown root initiation stage. When two irrigations are available then apply at crown root initiation and flowering stage. Where three  irrigations  are  a possible, 1st irrigation should be given at crown root initiation stage and 2nd at late jointing (boot) and 3rd at milking stage. Crown root initiation stage is most important stage for irrigation. It has been found that each week delay in 1st irrigation from crown root initiation stage results in yield reduction of 80-120 kg per acre.
 

Zinc Deficiency
Mostly observed in light soils. Zinc deficient crops show symptoms like bushy appearance, stunted growth and chlorotic leaves in middle.
Apply zinc sulphate@25 kg/acre to prevent zinc deficiency. If zinc is applied in previous season i.e in paddy field, no need of zinc application in wheat field. If zinc deficiency is observed in standing crops, take foliar spray of Zinc Sulphate@0.5% (Zinc Sulphate@1 kg + 1/2 kg of unslaked lime in 200 Ltrs of water). Take two to three sprays at interval of 10-15 days.

Manganese Deficiency
Mostly observed in light soils i.e wheat-rice rotation. Symptoms are seen on middle leaves. Inter-veinal chlorosis having light greyish yellow to pinkish brown of various size are seen on lower 2/3 portion of leaves. Sometime whole plant gets dry.
If deficiency is observed, take spray of Manganese Sulphate solution@0.5% (1kg Manganese Sulphate in 200 Ltr of water). Take two to three sprays at weekly interval.

Sulphur Deficiency
Mostly observed in sandy soils. Symptoms are severe when winter rains appeared and continue in early period of growth for long time.
Younger leaves get fades and show light green appearance. Veins also get fades. Top-most leaves also show light green appearance whereas lower leaves gives green appearance. Plant growth gets stunted.
As a preventive measure, apply Gypsum@100 kg/acre before sowing. In previous season if gypsum dose is applied, then give only 50 kg/acre of gypsum.

• Disease and their control:
  

Karnal bunt: It is seed and soil borne disease. Infection occurs at flowering stage. Cloudy weather condition during spike emergence to grain filling stage of crop leads to development of disease. If the rains occur during the month of February in north Indian plains (disease - prone areas), the disease is likely to come with higher severity.
For control of this disease use karnal bunt resistant varieties. For management of this disease, take one spray of Propiconazole (Tilt 25EC)@1ml/Ltr of water at ear head emergence stage.

Stripe/Yellow rust: The ideal growth conditions for yellow rust are temperatures of between 8-13°C for spore germination and penetration, and 12-15°C for further development and with free water. The yield penalties from yellow rust in wheat can range from 5% to as high as 30% in high disease pressure scenarios. The pustules of stripe rust, which, contain yellow to orange-yellow urediospores, usually form narrow stripes on the leaves.
For control of this disease, use rust resistant variety. Follow crop rotation and adopt mix cropping pattern. Avoid excess use of Nitrogen. When symptoms observed, do dusting of Sulphur@5-10kg/acre or take spray of Mancozeb @2gm/Ltr or spray the crop with Propiconazole (Tilt) 25EC@1ml/litre of water.

Brown rust: It is favoured by warm temperatures (15-30°C) and humid conditions. Brown rust is characterised by reddish- brown spores that occur in oval or elongated pustules. The disease can develop rapidly when free moisture is available and temperatures are near 20°C.Successive generations of urediospores can be produced every 10-14 days if conditions are favorable.
For control of this disease, follow mixed cropping with suitable crops. Avoid excessive use of Nitrogen fertilizer. Spray with Zineb@500gm/acre or Propiconazole@1ml/ltr of water.

Powdery mildew: Greyish white powdery growth appears on the leaf, sheath, stem and floral parts. Powdery growth later become black lesions and cause drying of leaves and other parts. The disease infects plants during periods of high humidity and cool to moderate temperatures. Low light intensity, which accompanies dry weather and a dense crop canopy favours this disease.
When incidence of disease is observed, spray with Wettable sulphur@2gm/Ltr of water or Carbendazim@400gm/acre. In case of high incidence spray with Propiconazole@1ml/Liter of water.

Flag smut: It is seed borne disease. Infection spread through wind. It is favored by cool, humid conditions during flowering period of the host plant.
Treat the seed with fungicides like Carboxin@2.5 gm/kg of seeds, Carbendazim@ 2.5 gm/kg of seeds, Tebuconazole @1.25 gm/kg of seed if the disease level in the seed lot is high. If it is low to moderate, treat the seed with a combination of Trichoderma viride@4gm/kg seed and half the recommended dose of Carboxin@1.25 gm/kg of seeds.

• Pest and their control:
  

Aphids: These are nearly transparent, soft-bodied sucking insects. When present in sufficient numbers, aphids can cause yellowing and premature death of leaves. Infestation usually occurs during second fortnight of January till crop harvesting.
For management of Aphid, use chrysoperla predators 5-8 thousand/acre or use 50 gm/Ltr neem concentrate.  In cloudy weather infestation of aphid is occurred. Spray with Thiamethoxam or Imidacloprid 60ml/acre in 100 Ltr of water.

Termite: Termites attack the crop at various growth stages, from seedlings to maturity. The severely damaged plants can be easily uprooted and look wilted and dried. In case roots are partially damaged, the plants show yellowing. To control broadcast 1 Ltr of Chlorpyriphos 20EC mix with 20 kg sand/acre then apply a light irrigation.

Harvesting of high yielding dwarf variety is carried out when leaves and stem turn yellow and become fairly dry. To avoid loss in yield crop should be harvested before it is dead ripe. Timely harvesting is needed for optimum quality and consumer acceptance. The right stage for harvesting is when moisture in grain reaches to 25-30%. For manual harvesting use serrate edge sickles. Combines harvester are also available which can do harvesting, threshing and winnowing of wheat crop in single operation.

After manual harvesting, dried crops for three to four days on threshing floor so that moisture content of grain comes down to 10-12 percent and then threshing is done by trampling bullocks or thresher attached to bullocks. Direct sun drying and excessive drying should be avoided and the grains should be packed in sound clean gunny bags to minimize the losses.

Improve storage structures: For storage of grains on small-scale use PAU bin, Pusa bin and Hapur tekka. The PAU bin is designed by Punjab Agricultural University it is galvanized metal iron structure having capacity ranges from 1.5 to 15 quintals. Pusa bin storage structure is made of mud or bricks with a polythene film embedded within the walls. While the Hapur tekka is a cylindrical rubberized cloth structure supported by bamboo poles on a metal tube base, and has a small hole in the bottom through which grain can be removed. Large scale grain storage is done in CAP (Cover and Plinth) and silos.

To keep away several pest and disease during storage, use 1% malathion solution for disinfection of gunny bags. Properly clean the storage house, remove the cracks and fill the rat burrows with cement. White wash the storage house before storing grains and spray Malathion 50EC@3Ltr/100 Sq.meters. Place the heap of bags 50 cm away from wall and in between the heaps give some gaps. Also there should be a gap between the roof and the bags.

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare