Wheat Farming in India: Best Practices for Higher Yields

Wheat Farming in India: Best Practices for Higher Yields

Wheat is one of the most important staple food crops in India, contributing significantly to the nation’s food security. With over 30 million hectares under cultivation, India is the second-largest producer of wheat globally. For farmers, wheat is not just a crop but a source of stable income, especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

To maximize yield and quality, adopting best practices in wheat farming is essential. Let’s explore the key steps to achieve higher productivity.

🌱 1. Climate and Soil Requirements

• Climate: Wheat thrives in cool, dry winters and requires 15–20°C during sowing and 20–25°C during grain filling. Excessive heat at maturity reduces grain quality.
• Soil: Well-drained loamy and clay-loam soils with pH 6.0–7.5 are ideal. Sandy soils need more organic matter, while alkaline soils must be treated with gypsum.

🌾 2. Seed Selection

Choosing the right variety ensures better yield and disease resistance.

• Popular Varieties: HD 2967, HD 3086, PBW 550, DBW 187 (for North India), GW 322 (for Gujarat), MP 1203 (for MP region).
• Seed Rate: 100–125 kg/ha for irrigated areas; 125–150 kg/ha for rainfed conditions.
• Seed Treatment: Treat seeds with Carbendazim (2 g/kg) or Trichoderma (bio-treatment) to prevent seed-borne diseases.

🚜 3. Land Preparation

• Plough the field 2–3 times to achieve fine tilth.
• Apply 5–10 tons of FYM or compost per hectare for soil enrichment.
• Ensure proper leveling for uniform irrigation.

🧪 4. Fertilizer Management

Balanced nutrition is key to higher yield.

• Recommended Dose (per hectare):
• Nitrogen (N): 120–150 kg
• Phosphorus (P₂O₅): 60 kg
• Potassium (K₂O): 40 kg
• Application:
• Basal: 50% N + full P + full K at sowing
• Top Dressing: Remaining 50% N in two splits (first at crown root initiation stage ~20 DAS, second at booting stage ~45 DAS).
• Micronutrients: Apply Zinc Sulphate (25 kg/ha) in zinc-deficient soils.

💧 5. Irrigation Schedule

Wheat requires 5–6 irrigations during its life cycle.

• Critical Stages:
1. Crown Root Initiation (20–25 DAS) – most critical
2. Tillering stage
3. Jointing stage
4. Flowering stage
5. Grain filling stage

Avoid water stress at CRI and grain filling as it can reduce yield drastically.

🐛 6. Weed and Pest Management

Weed Control:

• Major weeds: Phalaris minor, Chenopodium album, Avena ludoviciana.
• Pre-emergence herbicide: Pendimethalin (1 kg a.i./ha).
• Post-emergence: Clodinafop or Sulfosulfuron at 30–35 DAS.

Pest/Disease Control:

• Rusts (yellow, brown, black): Use resistant varieties and apply Propiconazole spray if needed.
• Termites: Apply Chlorpyriphos 20 EC at sowing in termite-prone areas.

🌼 7. Harvesting and Storage

• Wheat is ready for harvest when grains are hard and golden-yellow (moisture ~20%).
• Use combine harvesters or sickles for harvesting.
• Dry grains to 10–12% moisture before storage to prevent fungal attack.
• Store in moisture-proof bags in a clean, dry warehouse.

🌟 Best Practices for Higher Yield

1. Timely Sowing: Optimum window is Nov 10–Nov 25 in North India.
2. Zero Tillage: Saves time, moisture, and improves soil health.
3. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): Combine organic manure, biofertilizers, and chemical fertilizers.
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Use a mix of biological, cultural, and chemical practices.
5. Adopt New Technologies: Use high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties and precision irrigation systems.

✅ Conclusion

Wheat farming in India has great potential, but to unlock higher yields, farmers must adopt scientific practices, improved varieties, balanced nutrition, and timely crop management. With the right approach, wheat farmers can not only increase productivity but also improve grain quality and profitability.

🔖 Tags: #WheatFarming #CropManagement #HighYieldWheat #IndianAgriculture #BestPractices

Would you like me to also create a visual fertilizer & irrigation schedule infographic for this blog so that farmers can quickly follow it?

At krishibazaar.in, you can find and buy various agricultural products. For agricultural guidance on selecting the most suitable products for your crops, please contact or WhatsApp at +917887880887.