Wheat is a Rabi crop that is grown in the winter season. Sowing of wheat
takes place in October to December and harvesting is done during the
months of February and May. The wheat crop needs cool winters and hot
summers, which is why the fertile plains of the Indo-Gangetic region are
the most conducive for growing it. Though well-drained loams and clayey
loams are considered the ideal soil for wheat, good crops of wheat have
also been raised on sandy loams and black soils of the peninsula
region. Soils with clay loam or loam texture, good structure and moderate water
holding capacity are ideal for wheat cultivation. Care should be taken
to avoid very porous and excessively drained soils. Soil should have
neutral pH. Heavy soils with good drainage are suitable for wheat
cultivation under dry conditions. These soils absorb and retain rain
water well useful.
Good quality and productivity of wheat is possible only if a locally
adapted, high yielding disease resistant variety is chosen for
cultivation in a particular area. A number of dwarf and semi-dwarf
varieties have been available in the market for cultivation in different
agro-climatic zones. Selection of varieties depends mainly on the
following factors:
Method Of Sowing,
Crop Rotation,
Pest and Disease,
Irrigration Facilities and
Climatic Conditions.
Wheat seeds are usually sown through drilling or broadcasting though
hand sowing is also prevalent at some places. Drills that are attached
to tractors or bullocks ensure that the seed is deposited at a uniform
depth. For timely sown and irrigated wheat, a row spacing of 15 to 22.5
cm is followed. 22.5 cm is considered to be the maximum spacing. For
late but irrigated wheat, row spacing of 15 -18 cm is the maximum. Dwarf
varieties of wheat should be planted in the second week of November at a
depth of around 5 to 6 cm. In case of conventional tall varieties, the
sowing depth should be 8 or 9 cm. Usually, deep sowing is done in dry,
rough and light soils whereas shallow sowing is done in moist soils. Transplanting of wheat seedlings can be carried out if sowing is
delayed. Under rain fed conditions, the furrows are left open after
sowing whereas in the case of irrigated wheat, a wooden plank covers the
furrows. If wheat is grown under irrigated conditions, 4-6 irrigations
are needed. The first irrigation should be given at the crown root
initiation stage, 20-25 days after sowing. The wheat crop should be
irrigated a few more times if the soil is very light or sandy. Depending
on the availability of water with the farmer, a schedule for irrigation
can be worked out.
