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Detailed information on crucial aspects of wheat cultivation.

Published on: 30-Aug-2023

Wheat is sown beginning from October. Wheat farming may be profitable if all aspects of the process, from seeding to harvesting, are done correctly.

As we all know, the Kharif season is currently underway. After harvesting this season's crops, farmers will begin seeding Rabi season crops. Wheat is one of the key Rabi crops, therefore farmers may increase productivity by keeping a few things in mind. India has achieved significant progress in wheat production during the previous four decades. Wheat output has climbed from 12.26 million tonnes in 1964-65 to a record high of 107.18 million tonnes in 2019-20. To ensure food and nutritional security for India's population, wheat output and productivity must be increased on a constant basis. India's population is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2025.The predicted demand for wheat by 2025 is roughly 117 million tonnes. To attain this aim, new technologies will need to be created. Testing novel kinds with high fertility can help attain optimum output capacity.

Major Wheat producing states in India

For your reference, the northern Ganga-Indus plains are India's most fertile and high-producing wheat areas. In reality, the largest wheat-producing states in this region include Delhi, Rajasthan (save for the Kota and Udaipur divisions), Western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttarakhand's Terai region, Jammu and Kathua districts of Jammu and Kashmir, and Una district of Himachal Pradesh. Ponta valley is included. Wheat is grown on over 12.33 million hectares of land in this area. Wheat production amounts to around 57.83 million tonnes.The average wheat production in this area is 44.50 quintals per hectare. At the same time, by implementing the recommended wheat technologies in front-line wheat demonstrations held on farmers' fields, a yield of 51.85 quintal/hectare may be reached. In recent years, superior wheat cultivars HD 3086 and HD 2967 have been seeded extensively in this area. However, to replace these types, high-production and disease-resistant cultivars such as DBW 187, DBW 222, and HD 3226 have been widely promoted.

Also read: How farmers may increase wheat yields by managing the crop properly.

Use these HYV seeds for high yield

The selection of varieties is a crucial choice in wheat agriculture since it determines how much will be produced. New disease-resistant cultivars with great production capacity should constantly be chosen. For irrigated and timely planting, use DBW 303, WH 1270, and PBW 723; for irrigated and late sowing, use DBW 173, DBW 71, PBW 771, WH 1124, DBW 90, and HD 3059. At the same time, the HD 3298 cultivar has been found for seeding across longer distances. The WH 1142 cultivar may be used for restricted irrigation and timely seeding. Sowing timing, seed rate, and the proper amount of fertiliser. Using cow dung manure at the rate of 4-6 tonnes/acre during field preparation 15-20 days before planting wheat enhances the fertiliser power of the soil.

Sowing is done with zero tillage and turbo happy seeder.

In the paddy-wheat cropping system, planting wheat with zero tillage is a practical and useful practice. After paddy harvesting, wheat is seeded without ploughing using a zero till drill machine, taking use of the land's stored moisture. Where paddy is harvested late. This machine is proven to be really useful there. This gadget is quite beneficial even in water-logged locations. This is the most effective and efficient technique of managing paddy crop residues. This type of wheat planting produces an equivalent or greater yield than traditional sowing while also preventing crop fall.By retaining crop leftovers on the surface, moisture is kept in the root zone of the plants for a longer period of time, thus temperature increases have no negative effect on production and weeds are decreased. Irrigation management is crucial in wheat agriculture.

The need for proper irrigation for wheat cultivation.

Let us tell you that a wheat crop takes five to six irrigations to get maximum productivity. Irrigation should be done based on water availability, soil type, and plant demands. The wheat crop's life cycle is divided into three stages: adventitious roots (21 days), initial node formation (65 days), and grain production (85 days), all of which require watering. If there is enough water for irrigation, the first irrigation should be done on the 21st day, followed by five irrigations spaced 20 days apart. New irrigation systems, such as the sprinkler or drip method, are also particularly effective for wheat farming.

They have been used in poorly irrigated locations for quite some time. However, even in water-rich places, water may be saved by using these methods. It is also possible to obtain good productivity. The Central and State governments also offer funds in the form of subsidies for these irrigation systems. Farmer brothers should use these systems to fulfil their national responsibility for irrigation water management.