Season:

Wheat is a Rabi season crop, and we start sowing it in the months of October to December, with harvesting taking place in February or March.

Area and Production:

States such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar and West Bengal are the leading producer of Wheat in India. Uttar Pradesh is the largest leading producer of Wheat. Punjab is known as the wheat bowl of India.

While China leads the largest producer of Wheat globally followed by India, Russia, France, Canada, Australia, Ukraine, Pakistan and Germany.

Wheat can germinate just above temperature of 4^oC. It has hardening ability after germination. Optimum temperature for its cultivation is 21-26^oC. For sowing the temperature should be 18-22^oC and for harvesting the temperature should be 20-25^oC.

Wheat is cultivated in variety of soil. Soil with clay loam or loam texture, good structure and moderate water holding capacity are ideal for wheat cultivation. Soil should be neutral in its pH. Heavy soil with poor structure and poor water holding capacity is not recommended for its cultivation.

Seed Rate-

For Hybrid Varieties use seed rate of 30kg/acre and for normal varieties seed rate should be around 40kg/acre.

Seed Treatment-

To protect seeds from Termite, false smut, loose smut treat the seeds with Chlorpyriphos @4ml/kg of seeds or Tebuconazole 2 DS @2gm/kg of seeds before sowing or with Carbendazim or Thiram @2gm/kg of seeds before 24 hours of sowing. After chemical treatment treat the seeds with Trichoderma Viride 1.15%WP @4gm/kg of seeds.

Wheat can be sown by the following methods-

1. Drilling Method- Ensure the field is well prepared by ploughing, harrowing and levelling to create a fine seed bed. Remove any weeds and debris from the field. Use a right and suitable seed drill for the type of wheat and soil. Common drills include conventional grain drills, no-till drills, or air seeders. Set the seed drill to the desired seeding rate and depth, typically around 2 cm deep, depending on soil type and moisture conditions. Load the wheat seeds into the seed drill. Drive the drill across the field in straight rows, ensuring even seed distribution. Maintain as steady speed to avoid over or under-seeding. The drill will cover the seeds with soil.
2. Broadcasting Method- The broadcasting method is a traditional and simple way of sowing wheat seeds. Divide the seeds into two equal parts for even distribution. Scatter seeds by hand. Cover the field in a crisscross pattern to ensure uniform distribution. Ensure the seeds are covered to a depth of about 2-4cm.

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 2-3 harrowing with disc harrow and 2-3 planking should be given to prepare a well pulverized seed bed. For good seed germination, apply pre-sowing irrigation.

Crop requires 4-6 irrigation depending upon on soil type and rainfall. Following are the critical stages of irrigation in wheat Crop-

1. Immediately after sowing
2. Crown root initiation after 20-25 days after sowing
3. Active Tillering Stage after 30-35 days after sowing
4. Flowering Stage after 50-55 days after sowing
5. Grain filling stage after 70-75 days after sowing

Water stagnation should be avoided during germination

Apply NPK Fertilizer as per soil test recommendation. For irrigated timely sown crop fertilizer requirement is 120:60:40 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O per hectare whereas for late sown crop fertilizer requirement is 90:60:40 kg N:P₂O₅:K₂O per hectare.

Full P and K with 1/3^rd dose of N are to be applied as basal dose and rest 2/3^rd N dose should be applied at first node stage at around after 40-45 days of seeding.

Zinc Sulphate should be applied @25kg/ha per year in zinc deficient soils. It’s deficiency can also be corrected by foliar application of 0.5% Zinc Sulphate. In manganese deficient soil, spray 0.5% manganese sulphate solution 2-4 days before first irrigation and two to three sprays afterwards at weekly intervals.

Weed Management in Wheat is very crucial to ensure healthy crop growth and optimal yield. Manual or Mechanical Weeding can be effective, especially in small areas. Apply organic Mulching can suppress weeds growth.

Hand weeding should be done after 20 days of sowing to reduce the growth of weeds. As pre-emergence Herbicide apply Pendimethalin 30EC @1L/acre. For Post-emergence Herbicide, use Isoproturon @200gm/acre or use 2,4-D @250ml/150L of water to control Broad leaf weeds.

1. Aphid-

Symptoms-

Nymph and adults suck the sap from the plants. They appear on young leaves or ears in large number during the cloudy and cold weather.

Following are the damaging symptoms of Aphids-

• Yellowing and curling of leaves
• Infested plants leads to stunted growth
• Aphids excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which can lead to the growth of black sooty mold on the leaves.
• The grains may appear shriveled or deformed if aphid infestation occurs during the grain-filling stage.
• Severe infestation can lead to significant yield losses.

Management-

• Apply Dimethoate 25EC @1.5ml/L of water
• Remove all the infested plants from the field
• Rotate crops to reduce aphid populations.
• Use resistant wheat varieties if available
• Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization, which can increase aphid population.

2. Termite-

Symptoms-

Termites damages the crop after sowing and near maturity. They feeds on roots, stems, or even dead tissue of plant feeding the cellulose. They damage the roots and shows wilting symptoms in upper parts of the plant.

Management-

To control termites apply 1L Chlorpyriphos 20EC with 20kg sand/acre then apply a light irrigation.

3. Fall Armyworm-

Symptoms-

• Scrapping of leaf surface by young larvae.
• Older leaves feeds on central whorl, causing extensive defoliation.
• Leaves may exhibit ragged holes, notched edges, often creating a tattered appearance.
• Severe feeding can lead to significant loss of leaf tissue.
• Dark green or black frass may be present on leaves or in leaf whorls.
• Young plants may reduced growth due to heavy feeding on tender parts.

Management-

• Use disease resistant varieties.
• Seed treatment with Thiamethoxam @4gm/kg of seeds
• Set up pheromone trap @3no’s/acre

4. Hessian fly-

Symptoms-

Adult hessian fly do not cause any damage to grains.  Following are the symptoms of Hessian fly-

• Stunted growth of the plant
• Affected plants may display a darker green or bluish tint compared to healthy plants.
• The larva causes swellings at the nodes, appearing as dark, hard galls.
• Reduced tillering
• Small head and poor grain filling

Management-

• Treat seeds with Imdiacloprid or Thiamethoxam before sowing @4gm/kg of seeds
• Rotate crops with non-host crops like Corn,soyabean, to break its life cycle.
• Maintain field sanitation
• Collect and destroy all the infected plants from the field
• Plant resistant varieties
• Apply Chlorpyrifos 20 EC @200ml/acre

5. Wheat Stem Saw fly-

Symptoms-

Stem saw fly cuts the stems and causes huge loss to the yield. Damage from feeding and causes lodging. Lodging makes it difficult to harvest the grains. Infested stems may show darkened or brownish streaks due to larval feeding and plant tissue damage. Affected stems may ripen and dry out prematurely compared to healthy plants, often resulting in uneven crop maturity.

Management-

• Plant resistant variety
• Rotate wheat with non-host crops like legumes.
• Maintain field sanitation.
• Apply Chlorpyrifos 20EC@200ml/acre

6. Wheat Midge-

Symptoms-

• The midge larvae feeds on the developing wheat kernel, causing it to shrivel, crack and deformed.
• Feeding damage results in lower kernel weight affecting overall yield
• Severe infestations can cause spikelets to be empty or contain poorly developed grains.

Management-

• Maintain field sanitation by collecting and destroying all the infected plants from the field.
• Use resistant varieties.
• Encourage natural and benefical insects like Macroglenes penetrans that attack midge larvae.
• Application of Dimethoate 25 EC @1.5ml/L of water

1. Nitrogen-

Symptoms-

Symptoms occur on older leaves which becomes paler than the others with marked yellowing starting at the tip and gradually merging into light green. Stems may turn to pale pink in color. Reduced grains yield and protein levels. Older leaves die prematurely when shortage is severe.

Management-

Foliar spray of 1%Urea @10gm/L of water

2. Phosphrous-

Symptoms-

• Stunted growth of the plants
• Stems and leaves turning purple, reduced root system and poor tillering are the common symptoms.
• Older leaves affected first and often senescence prematurely.
• Yellowing of leaf tips and delaying heading

Management-

Foliar spray of DAP 2% @20gm/L of water.

3. Potassium-

Symptoms-

• Chlorosis of young leaves
• Affected leaves are more susceptible to diseases.
• Plants appear paler and weak

Management-

Foliar application of KCL 1% @10gm/L

4. Magnesium-

Symptoms-

• Plants have pale green to yellow spots on leaves.
• In severe infestation, interveinal tissue may die turning black
• Leaf tips shows necrosis symptoms

Management-

Apply Magnesium Sulphate to cure the deficiency

5. Sulphur-

Symptoms-

• Sulphur deficient plants show chlorotic symptoms on leaves
• Yellowing on younger leaves

Management-

Potassium sulphate can be used to cure potassium deficiency in wheat plants.

6. Calcium-

Symptoms-

Symptoms appear first on younger leaves and then spread to older leaves. Curling symptoms also shown on tips of the leaves.

Management-

Application of calcium containing fertilizer can overcome calcium deficeny in field.

7. Zinc Deficiency-

Symptoms-

Symptoms seen as interveinal chlorosis along with stunted growth and in severe cases plants may turn white or die.

Management-

To correct zinc deficiency apply ZnSO₄

8. Iron-

Symptoms-

Interveinal chlorosis with yellow-green strips on younger leaves In severe cases the chlorosis spreads to older leaves too results in wilting of leaves.

Management-

Application of Ferrous sulphate rich fertilizer can overcome the iron deficiency in wheat.

9. Boron-

Symptoms-

Stems are slightly abnormal thick and leaves shows distortion symptoms. It also leads to short plant height, death of growing points and sometimes also leads to curling of leaves.

Management-

Application of Bordeaux Mixture can overcome boron deficiency to some extent.

1. Karnal Bunt-

Causal Organism- Tilletia indica mitra

Symptoms-

• Symptoms are visible on mature kernels.
• Masses of brown to black spores replaces to endosperm resulting in fragile seed which when crushes and has fishy odour smell.
• Plants become stunted with slightly gaping glumes.
• It reduces grain quality.

Favorable Conditions-      

Karnal Bunt is heavily dependent on Weather Conditions. Relative Humidity over 70% favours teliospore development. Temperature of 18-24^oC also favours the growth of fungus.

Management-

• As a preventive cure, delaying planting can overcome the favorable weather conditions for fungal growth.
• Crop Rotation
• Application of Propiconzaole 25EC @200gm/acre

2. Bacterial Streak-

Causal Organism- Xanthomonas translucens

Symptoms-

Symptoms of this pathogen can be seen on stem, leaves and glumes. In stem, dark brown to purple discoloration can be seen below the head and above the flag leaf. In early stages of disease translucent water soaked lesions can be seen on leaves. After few days, these water soaked lesions turn to dark brown lesions. These lesions can extend to entire leaf blade, as disease progresses.

Favorable Conditions-

Pathogen can tolerant warm and freezing temperature. Irrigated fields provide a favorable conditions for the growth of this pathogen.

Management-

• Use disease resistant seeds
• Maintain field sanitation by collecting and destroying infected plants from the field.
• Treat seeds with hot water
• Foliar application of Copper sulfate or copper hydroxide can reduce this disease.

3. Barley Stripe Rust-

Causal Organism- Puccinia striifornis

Symptoms-

• Symptoms are quite similar to rust of wheat
• Symptoms include bright yellow-orange spores which forms pustules in stripes of leaves.
• Necrotic strike also appear on alongside of pustules, leading to yellowing and browning of affected areas.
• Severe infections can leads to reduce in photosynthesis activity
• As the disease progresses, spores may be produced within the pustules which can spread the infection to neighboring plants or even fields.
• If left uncontrolled, it can also affect the grain quality or yield.

Favorable Conditions-

Temperature of 10-20^oC favours the growth of fungus and high humidity of upto 90% also favours its growth.

Management-

• Use disease tolerant variety
• Maintain field sanitation by collecting and destroying infected plants from the field.
• Foliar application of fungicides such as Propiconazole 50EC @200gm/acre or Tebuconazole 25% EC @5gm/L of water.

4. Wheat Leaf Rust-

Causal Organism- Puccinia triticina

Symptoms-

Leaf Rust also know as brown rust. This disease attacks only foliage. Symptoms such as dusty, reddish-orange to reddish-brown fruiting bodies appear on the leaf surface.

Favourable Conditions-

Temperature upto 20-25^oC with moisture favours the growth of this disease.

Management-

• Foliar application of Azoxystrobin 11% @1ml/L of water
• Use disease resistant varieties
• Rotate crops with non-host crops to break disease life cycle
• Avoid monoculture and plant diverse wheat varieties
• Remove and destroy infected plants from the field and maintain field sanitation.

5. Loose Smut-

Causal Organism- Ustilago tritici

Symptoms-

• The entire inflorescence, except the rachis is replaced by masses of smut spores.
• Diseased heads emerge before healthy ones.
• Diseased heads are blackened and are distinctive than green one.

Favorable Conditions-

Wet, humid and temperature of 16-22^oC favors the growth of fungal.

Management-

• Treat the seeds with Vitavax @2gm/kg of seeds before sowing
• Collect and destroy the affected plants from the field
• Growers should use disease resistant varieties.

6. Leaf Blight-

Causal Organism- Alternaria triticina

Symptoms-

• Symptoms can be seen on the upper surface of the leaves after the boot stage.
• Symptoms such as bright red, yellow , orange spots appear on the margins of young leaves.
• As the plant grows, lesions of oval shaped can be seen on the lower surface of the leaves.
• Later in the stage, these lesions enlarge and coalesce becoming darker and forming cholorotic margins around the necrotic lesions.

Favorable Conditions-

Favorable temperature for the growth of conidia is around 20-25^oC and relative humidity of around 90% .

Management-

• Use disease free seeds
• Treatment with hot water before sowing.
• Foliar application of Mancozeb, Ziram, Copper oxychloride can cure this disease.

Harvesting-

When the seeds turn yellow and the ears dry up, then crop should be harvested. When crops have around 15-20% moisture then it is the right time to harvest the crop. After Harvesting, crop should be dried for 2-3 days. A combiner is used to harvest the crop.

Yield-

The yield of wheat depends on different factors such as variety used, production techniques, soil and its fertility, climate. The average yield of wheat is about 20-25 qntl/acre.