Wheat First to second week practices

Soil –

Suitable Soils for wheat cultivation- Loam, Clay and sandy loam. Soils with a clay loam or loam texture, good structure with moderate water holding capacity are ideal for wheat cultivation. Heavy soil with good drainage is suitable for wheat cultivation under dry conditions.

Soil treatment

Phosphetica culture 2.5 kg + azatobacter 2.5 kg + trycoderma powder 2.5 kg mix with 100-120 kg F.Y.M. and broadcast at the time of last ploughing.

Suitable Soil pH range: 5.5 to 7.0

The pH can control the availability of nutrients, biological functions, microbial activity, and the behavior of chemicals. Because of this, monitoring or controlling the pH of soil, water, and food or beverage products is important for a wide variety of applications.

In the pH scale, pH 7.0 is neutral. Below 7.0 is acidic and above 7.0 is basic or alkaline. Soil pH affects nutrients available for plant growth. In highly acidic soil, aluminum and manganese can become more available and more toxic to plant while calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are less available to the plant.

Time of Sowing-

Wheat must be sown at the optimum time. Delayed sowing causes a gradual decline in the yield of wheat. The ideal time of wheat sowing is 25th October to 15th November.

Land preparation-

 After harvest of previous crop, the field should be ploughed with disc or mould board plough. Level the field using laser leveller for uniform water distribution in entire field. Field is usually prepared by giving two deep ploughing with mould board plough followed by two or three times deep ploughing and planking. Carry out ploughing in evening time and kept furrow open whole night to absorb some moisture from dew. Planking should be done after each ploughing early in the morning. 

Varieties for Eastern States with Different Conditions-

Northern Hills Zone (NHZ)

1. VL-832,VL-804, HS-365, HS-240 – Irrigated/Rainfed, Medium Fertility, Timely Sown
2. VL-829,HS-277 — Rainfed, Medium Fertility, Early Sown
3. HS-375 (Himgiri), HS-207, HS-295, HS-420 (Shivalik) – Irrigated/Rainfed, Medium Fertility, Late Sown
4. HS375 (Himgiri), HPW42 — Very High Altitude

North Western Plains Zone (NWPZ)

1. HD2687,WH-147, WH-542, PBW-343, WH-896(d), PDW-233(d), UP-2338, PBW-502, Shresth (HD 2687), Aditya (HD 2781) — Irrigated, High Fertility, Timely Sown
2. PBW-435, UP-2425, PBW-373, Raj-3765 — Irrigated, Medium Fertility, Late Sown

North Eastern Plain Zone (NEPZ)

1. PBW-443, PBW-502, HD-2733, K-9107, HD-2824 (Poorva), HUW-468, NW-1012, HUW-468, HP-1731, Poorva (HD 2824) — Irrigated, High fertility, timely Sown
2. Raj-3765, HD-2643, NW-1014, NW-2036, HUW-234, HW-2045, HP-1744, DBW-14 — Irrigated, Medium Fertility, Late Sown
3. HDR77, K8027, K8962 — Rainfed, Low Fertility, Late Sown
4. HD-2888 — Rainfed, Timely Sown

Central Zone (CZ)

1. DL-803-3, GW-273, GW-190, Lok-1, Raj-1555, HI-8498(d), HI-8381(d) — Irrigated, High Fertility, Timely Sown
2. DL-788-2, GW-173, NI-5439, MP-4010, GW-322, Urja (HD 2864) — Irrigated, Medium Fertility, Late Sown
3. C-306, Sujata, HW-2004, HI-1500, HD-4672(d), JWS-17 — Rainfed, Low Fertility, Timely Sown

Peninsular Zone (PZ)

1. DWR-195, HD-2189,DWR-1006(d), MACS-2846(d), DWR-2001(di), Raj-4037, DDK-1009(di) — Irrigated, High Fertility, Timely Sown
2. HUW-510, NIAW-34, HD-2501, HI-1977, Pusa Tripti (HD-2833) — Irrigated,  Medium Fertility,  Late Sown
3. A9-30-1, K-9644,NIAW-15(d), HD-2380 — Rainfed, Low Fertility, Timely Sown

Southern Hills Zone (SHZ)

1. HW-2044, HW-1085, NP-200(di), HW-741– Rainfed, Low Fertility, Timely Sown
2. HUW-318, HW-741, HW-517, NP-200(di), HW-1085 — Irrigated, High Fertility, Timely Sown

National Capital Region Delhi (NCR)

1. HD-2851(Pusa Visesh), HD-4713(i)(d) — Irrigated, Timely Sown
2. Pusa Gold (WR-544) — Irrigated, Late Sown

Latest Release of wheat varieties

HD 3293- Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Plains of North Eastern states- 

Suitable for restricted irrigation, timely sown condition, average grain yield 3.93 tonnes/ha, maturity 129 days, highly resistant to wheat blast, tolerant to heat stress.

DDW 48 (Durum) – Maharashtra and Karnataka- 

Suitable for irrigated timely sown condition, average grain yield 4.74 tonnes/ha, maturity 111 days, biofortified variety with high grain protein (12.1%) and yellow pigment content (5.6 ppm), resistant to brown rust, high pasta acceptability.

Wheat 1270- Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan (except Kota and Udaipur divisions), Western Uttar Pradesh, (except Jhansi division), Parts of Jammu & Kashmir (Jammu and Kathua Distt), Parts of Himachal Pradesh (Una Distt. and Paonta Valley), Uttarakhand Tarai region) – 

Suitable for irrigated early sown, high fertility condition, average grain yield 7.58 tonnes/ha, maturity 156 days, resistant to yellow and brown rusts, good chapatti quality (7.66/10).

DBW 303 (Karan Vaishnavi)- Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan (except Kota and Udaipur divisions), Western Uttar Pradesh (Except Jhansi division), Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu & Kathua Distt.), Parts of Himachal Pradesh (Una Distt. and Paonta Valley), Uttarakhand Tarai region)- 

Suitable for irrigated, early sown, high fertility condition, average grain yield 8.12 tonnes/ha, maturity 156 days, high grain protein content (12.1%), resistant to yellow and brown rust, good chapatti quality.

HD 3298- Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan (except Kota and Udaipur divisions), Western Uttar Pradesh (except Jhansi division), Parts of Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu & Kathua Distt.), Parts of Himachal Pradesh (Una Distt. and Paonta Valley), Uttarakhand (Tarai region) – 

Suitable for irrigated very late sown condition, average grain yield 3.90 tonnes/ha, maturity 103 days, high grain protein (12.12%), iron (43.1 ppm), good chapatti quality and bread quality.

HI 1633 (Pusa Vani) – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Plains of Tamil Nadu- 

Suitable for irrigated late sown condition, average grain yield 4.17 tonnes/ha, maturity 100 days, biofortified wheat variety with high grain protein (12.4%), iron (41.66 ppm) and zinc (41.1 ppm), highly resistant to black rust.

HI 1634 (Pusa Ahilya) – Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan (Kota and Udaipur divisions), Western Uttar Pradesh (Jhansi division)- 

Suitable for irrigated late sown condition, average grain yield 5.16 tonnes/ha, maturity 108 days, highly resistant to brown and black rusts, good chapatti quality.

CG 1029 (Kanishika) – Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan (Kota and Udaipur divisions), Uttar Pradesh (Jhansi division)- 

Suitable for irrigated late sown condition, average grain yield 5.21 tonnes/ha, maturity 110 days, resistant to black and brown rusts, tolerant to heat stress, good chapatti quality.

NIDW 1149 (D) – Maharashtra, Karnataka- 

Suitable for restricted irrigation, timely sown, average grain yield 2.97 tonnes/ha, maturity 105 days, resistant to brown and yellow rusts.

GW 499- Gujarat- 

Suitable for irrigated late sown condition, average grain yield 4.60 tonnes/ha, maturity 95 days, resistant to brown and black rusts.

GW1339 (BANAS) (VD 2014-24) – Gujarat- 

Suitable for irrigated timely sown condition, average grain yield 4.96 tonnes/ha, maturity 102 days, resistant to brown and black rusts, good amount of yellow pigment (5.5 ppm).

VL 2015 (VL Gehun 2015) – Uttarakhand hills- 

Suitable for rainfed timely sown organic cultivation, average grain yield 1.99 tonnes/ha, maturity 168 days, resistant to yellow and brown rust, good sedimentation value.

MP 3465 (JW 3465) – Madhya Pradesh- 

Suitable for irrigated timely sown condition, average grain yield 5.94 tonnes/ha, maturity 117 days, high protein content (>14%), resistant to brown and black rusts.

Chhattisgarh Hanse Wheat (CG 1023) – Chhattisgarh- 

Suitable for restricted irrigation, timely sown condition, average grain yield 3.21 tonnes/ha, maturity 126 days, high zinc content (40.4 ppm), resistant to brown rust, good chapatti quality.

DBWH 221 (DBW 221) – Haryana- 

Suitable for timely sown irrigated conditions, average grain yield 6.28 tonnes/ha, maturity 135–149 days, highly tolerant to heat stress and resistant to yellow rust.

AAI-W 15 (SHUATS-W 15) – Uttar Pradesh- 

Suitable for timely sown rainfed conditions, average grain yield 1.99 tonnes/ha, maturity 105–110 days, tolerant to terminal heat tolerant at grain filling stage and resistant to brown and black rust.

UP 2944- Uttarakhand plains- 

Suitable for late-sown irrigated conditions, average grain yield 5.07 tonnes/ha, maturity 119–127 days, high protein content (14.5%), resistant to brown rust.

UP 2938- Uttarakhand plains- 

Suitable for timely sown irrigated conditions, average grain yield 5.38 tonnes/ha, maturity 136–139 days, resistant to brown rust

UP 2903- Uttarakhand plains- 

Suitable for timely sown irrigated conditions, average grain yield 5.06 tonnes/ha, maturity 129–139 days, high protein content (12.68%) and resistant to brown rust.

Seed Rate: 

Use seed @ 45 kg per acre. 

Hybrid seed @ 30-35 kg per acre.

The seed should be graded, cleaned and treated before sowing.

Seed Treatment-

1. Take 10 litres of hot water (60⁰ C) in an earthen pot.
2. Dip 5 kg of improved graded seeds in it.
3. Removed the seeds which float on the top of water.
4. Mix 2 kg of well decomposed compost, 3 litres cow urine and 2 kg of jaggery.
5. After mixing it properly, keep the mixed materials as such for 6-8 hours.
6. After this, filter it so that solid materials along with seeds and liquids get separated.
7. Mix 10 gm of fungicide (Raxil/Vitavax/Bavistin) properly and keep in shade for 10-12 hours in a wet jute bag for germination & for further sowing.

• To control Bunt/False smut/loose smut/covered smut-

Treat the seed before sowing with any one of the following insecticides:

• Chlorpyriphos @ 4 ml/kg seed OR
• Endosulfan @ 7ml / kg seeds OR
• Thiram 75 WP OR Carboxin 75 WP OR Tebuconazole 2 DS @ 1.5 to 1.87 gm a.i. per kg seed.

Trichoderma viride 1.15% WP@ 4 gm/kg seed after drying the seed 

Spacing

For normal spacing of 20-22.5 cm between rows is recommended. When sowing is delayed a closer spacing of 15-18 cm should be adopted.

Weed Control-

Chemical Weed Control is preferred because of less labour requirement and no mechanical damage during manual weeding. As pre-emergence weedicide, apply pendimethalin (Stomp 30 EC) @ 4ml/ litre of water at 0-3 days before sowing in the upper layer of the soil.

Sowing Depth

The sowing depth should be 4-5 cm.

Method of Sowing

1. Seed drill

2. Zero tillage drill

3. Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB)

Method of Sowing-

                   Fig: 1         Fig: 2                                         Fig: 3

Fig: 1. Sowing of wheat seed by Ferti-Seed drill

Fig: 2. Zero tillage Seed drill

Fig: 3. Furrow Irrigated Raised Bed (FIRB) 

Nutrient management- The fertilizer requirement for wheat crop are as follows:

Nitrogen (N) @ 80-120 kg/ha.
Phosphorus (P2O5) @ 40- 60 kg/ha.
Potash (K2O) @ 40-60 kg/ha.

(Basal dose)

Total quantity of Phosphorus and potash and half the quantity of nitrogen should be applied at the time of sowing. 

Phosphorus (P2O5)@40-60kg/ha

Potash (K2O) @ 40-60 kg/ha

 Nitrogen (N) @40-50kg/ha

Termite (Macrotermes  spp)

Identification: Adults are creamy coloured tiny insects resembling ants with dark coloured head. Newly hatched nymphs are yellowish white and about 1 mm long.

Nature of Damage

Termites damage the crop soon after sowing and sometimes near maturity. They feed on roots, stem of growing plants, even dead tissues of plant and feed on cellulose. The damaged plants dry up completely and are easily pulled out. The plants damaged at later stages give rise to white ears.

Management of Termites-

Cultural Control: 

• Deep ploughing of fields during summer. 
• Three summer ploughings at 10 days interval reduce juvenile population of termite. 
• Apply well rotten FYM only to discourage termite infestation. Avoid late sowing of crops. Destroy the crop residues which form the sources of infestation. 
• Use of crude oil emulsion to destroy the termite colony in the termitarium. 

Mechanical Control: 

• Dismantle termitarium (termite mounds) around field and kill the termite queen.

Biological Control: 

• Apply Neem Cake @ 80 kg/acre. 
• Spray Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) @ 100 million nematodes per acre in termite infested fields.

Chemical Control:  

• Seed treatment with Dursban/Durmet 20 EC @ 4 ml per kg of seed is suitable for controlling termites. 
• Dissolve 400 ml Chlorpyriphos 20 EC in 5 liters of water and spray it on one quintal seed and dry in shadow before sowing. 
• Apply Chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2-3 litres/ha along with irrigation water into the field.