Understanding About Crop

Wheat is a major staple food grown worldwide and especially important in India. Its grains are used for making daily bread, chapati, biscuits, noodles, and more. At All about agriculture, we make it easy for you to follow best wheat farming practices for maximum yield and profit.

Key Features 

Climate and Soil Requirements

• Wheat grows best in cool and dry weather during most of its growing stages.
• Ideal temperature for sowing: 12°C to 25°C – this ensures fast and uniform germination.
• High rainfall or humidity after sowing can cause fungal diseases and reduce grain quality.
• Soil type: Well-drained loam or clay-loam is ideal because it holds nutrients and moisture while allowing air circulation.
• Soil pH: Preferably between 6.0 and 7.5 for balanced nutrient availability.
• If the soil retains excess water or is uneven, the wheat roots can rot; proper leveling is necessary.
• For tired or nutrient-depleted soils, add compost or organic matter before sowing. Healthy soil ensures faster sprouting, stronger plants, and higher yields.
• For more soil care tips, stay connected with All about agriculture.

Land Preparation

• Prepare the field by ploughing 2–3 times after the last harvest to loosen soil and destroy weeds.
• Break all soil clods to create a fine seedbed for easy sprouting and root penetration.
• Remove any weeds, stubble, or old roots to prevent pest and disease attacks.
• Use a wooden plank to level the soil – this ensures even irrigation and good drainage.
• Apply 2–3 tonnes of well-decomposed farmyard manure per hectare at least 3–4 weeks before sowing to enrich the soil naturally.
• In areas with termite or ant problems from the last crop, mix a recommended pest control powder evenly into the soil during the last ploughing.

High-Yielding and Hybrid Seed Selection

• Always select certified, disease-free seeds from trusted sources.
• Choose varieties suitable for your region’s climate – contact the agriculture department or check All about agriculture for updated advice.
• Leading varieties: HD 2967, HD 3086, PBW 343, WH 1105 – known for high yield, disease resistance, and good grain quality.
• Avoid using weak or very old seeds – these result in poor germination and uneven crop growth.
• For best results, replace seeds every 2–3 years to maintain plant strength and productivity.

Seed Treatment

• Treat every batch of wheat seeds before sowing to protect against fungal diseases like loose smut, rust, and blight.
• Chemical treatment: Use Thiram or Carbendazim (2g per kg of seed).
• Bio-treatment: Use Azotobacter to promote nitrogen availability for stronger plants.
• Heat/solar treatment is effective for loose smut control.
• Dry the treated seeds in shade before sowing – direct sun may damage seed vigor.
• Seed treatment reduces future pesticide use and ensures healthy, uniform crop growth.

Sowing and Planting Methods

• Ideal sowing time: November to mid-December for most regions in India.
• Use a seed drill for even sowing at a spacing of 20–22 cm between rows.
• For late sowing or irrigated crops: 15–18 cm spacing may be used.
• Sowing depth should be 5–6 cm maximum – deeper sowing delays germination.
• Seed rate: 100–120 kg per hectare (adjust if sowing late).
• After sowing, cover seeds lightly with soil and water if soil is too dry.
• Timely sowing ensures good crop stand and fuller grains at harvest.

Nutrient and Fertilizer Management

Before sowing, add 8–10 tonnes of well-rotted farmyard manure per hectare to improve soil structure and fertility. General fertilizer recommendation per hectare:

• Nitrogen (N): 100–120 kg
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 50–60 kg
• Potash (K₂O): 40–50 kg
• Apply half nitrogen + full phosphorus and potash at sowing; give the remaining nitrogen after the first irrigation.
• For organic farms, increase compost/manure and use biofertilizers.
• Always conduct soil testing to identify deficiencies (e.g., zinc, boron) and treat accordingly.
• Balanced nutrition helps plants resist disease and produce more grains per ear.

Irrigation and Water Management

• 1st irrigation: 20–25 days after sowing (Crown Root Initiation stage).
• Subsequent irrigations: At tillering, stem elongation, booting, flowering/milk stage, and dough stage.
• Wheat generally needs 4–5 irrigations in its life cycle.
• Avoid overwatering – it can rot roots; under-watering leads to small, poor-quality grains.
• For efficiency, use drip or sprinkler irrigation systems.
• In rainfed crops, practice mulching to conserve soil moisture.
• Plan irrigation schedules using weather updates from All about agriculture.

Intercultural Operations

• After the first irrigation, carry out light hoeing and weeding to remove unwanted plants.
• Weeds compete with wheat for water, nutrients, and sunlight, lowering yield.
• For large fields, use mechanical weeders or safe herbicides as per agricultural recommendations.
• Light hoeing near roots improves air circulation and root growth.
• Good intercultural care encourages more tillers (side shoots), which means a denser and more productive crop.

Pest Management

• Major wheat pests: Aphids – Small green insects on leaves sucking sap. Termites – Attack roots and cause plant wilting. Armyworms – Eat leaves at night.
• Prevention:

Seed treatment against soil pests. Field sanitation – remove crop stubble and weeds.

• Control:

Light aphid infestations – use neem spray. Severe infestations – follow locally recommended insecticide schedules.

• Avoid overuse of chemicals; integrate pest control through seed treatment, clean fields, and regular monitoring.

Disease Management

• Main wheat diseases:

Rust (Yellow/Brown): Rust-like spots on leaves – control with resistant varieties and fungicides if needed. Smut: Dark powdery heads – prevented by seed treatment and field hygiene. Blight: Yellow/brown patches on leaves – avoid excess irrigation and plant healthy seeds.

• Prevention: Crop rotation, certified seeds, and proper irrigation.
• If disease appears, act quickly with correct chemicals in the recommended dose and timing.
• Always destroy infected plants to stop disease spread.

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management

Wheat ripens in about 110–140 days after sowing. Harvest when the grains turn golden and feel hard if pressed between teeth. Avoid harvesting when crops are damp – it spoils the grain. Use sharp sickles, cut at the base, and stack sheaves upright to dry. After 2–3 days, thresh the wheat using hands or a machine, separate the grain from straw, and clean well. Store wheat in dry, tight bins or bags, and check often for pest problems. A good harvest, handled right, brings the best price – track local market rates with help from All about agriculture.

Other Important Points

• Do regular soil tests with advice from All about agriculture to know the exact need for nutrients or amendments.
• Follow crop rotation – grow pulses or oilseeds after wheat to fix soil health.
• Stay updated on weather, pest alerts, or agri schemes with regular visits to All about agriculture.