Wheat Farming Guide
✅ 1. Introduction to Wheat Farming
Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in the world, providing food for a large part of the global population. It is primarily grown for its grain, used to make flour for bread, pasta, pastry, and other food products.
Common Wheat Varieties:
- Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum)
- Durum wheat (Triticum durum) – for pasta
- Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum) – ancient grain
📍 2. Suitable Climate and Soil
➤ Climate Requirements:
- Grown best in cool climates
- Temperature: 10°C to 25°C
- Requires low humidity
- Needs a dry and sunny period during ripening
➤ Soil Requirements:
- Loamy or clay-loam soils
- pH level: 6.0 – 7.5
- Well-drained soil with good fertility
- Proper organic matter content
📅 3. Sowing Season
| 🌍 Region | 🌱 Sowing Time | 🌾 Harvesting Time |
|---|---|---|
| Northern India | Late October to December | March to April |
| Southern India | Late October to November | February to March |
| Central India | October to November | February to March |
| Hilly Regions | October to November | April to May |
| Temperate Countries | Autumn (Sept–Oct) or Spring (Feb–Mar) | Summer (June–July) |
🌱 4. Land Preparation
- Ploughing – 2-3 deep ploughings to loosen the soil
- Leveling – Ensure uniform irrigation and growth
- Adding Organic Matter – Use FYM (farmyard manure), compost
- Tip: Avoid waterlogging by preparing proper drainage channels
🌾 5. Seed Selection and Treatment
➤ Seed Rate:
- 100–125 kg/ha (irrigated)
- 125–150 kg/ha (rain-fed)
➤ Seed Treatment:
- Fungicides like Carbendazim or Thiram
- Biofertilizers like Azotobacter for better germination
🚜 6. Sowing Methods
- Drill Sowing – Uniform depth and spacing
- Broadcasting – Traditional method, less efficient
- Zero Tillage – Saves water and cost
- Spacing: 20–22 cm between rows
💧 7. Irrigation Requirements
Wheat needs 4–6 irrigations during the season.
Critical Stages:
- Crown root initiation (20–25 DAS)
- Tillering stage (40–45 DAS)
- Booting stage
- Flowering stage
- Milk stage
- Dough stage
Note: Avoid excessive irrigation – may cause fungal diseases.
🌿 8. Fertilizer Management
| Nutrient | Quantity (kg/ha) | Time of Application |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen (N) | 120–150 | Split doses (basal + top) |
| Phosphorus (P) | 60–75 | Basal dose |
| Potassium (K) | 40–50 | Basal dose |
🐛 9. Pest and Disease Management
| Disease | Symptoms | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Rust (yellow/brown) | Yellow or brown pustules on leaves | Spray Propiconazole |
| Powdery Mildew | White patches on leaves | Use Sulfur-based fungicide |
| Smut | Black dusty spores in grains | Use treated seeds |
🧺 10. Harvesting
- Ready when grains are hard and golden
- Moisture content: Below 14%
- Use sickles (manual) or combine harvesters (mechanized)
🧴 11. Post-Harvest Management
- Threshing – Separating grain from straw
- Winnowing – Removing chaff
- Storage – Store in dry, cool, pest-free areas
📈 12. Yield
- Irrigated land: 40–60 quintals/ha
- Rain-fed land: 20–30 quintals/ha
💰 13. Economics / Profitability
| Input | Estimated Cost (₹/ha) |
|---|---|
| Seeds | 3,000 – 4,000 |
| Fertilizers & Chemicals | 4,000 – 6,000 |
| Irrigation | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Labor | 5,000 – 7,000 |
| Total Cost | ₹14,000 – ₹20,000 |
| Gross Return | ₹40,000 – ₹60,000 |
| Net Profit | ₹20,000 – ₹40,000 |