Wheat Crop Cultivation | 10 Largest Producer of Wheat In The World | Economical

Origin of Wheat: The archaeological record suggests that Wheat (a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain) was first cultivated in the regions of the Fertile Crescent around 9600 BCE. Botanically, the wheat kernel is a type of fruit called a caryopsis.

Wheat Is a staple food i.e. the dominant part of a population’s diet, eaten regularly—even daily—and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs.

Wheat Meaning in Hindi: गेहूँ | गेहूँ का पौधा

1. a type of grain which can be made into flour – गेहूँ . Gahu, Gehun
2. the plant which produces this grain – गेहूँ का पौधा

Botanical Name of Wheat: The many species of wheat together make up the genus Triticum; the most widely grown is common wheat (T. aestivum).

Wheat Products: Three species of wheat crop namely, common Wheat – T. aestivum (bread wheat), T. durum and T. dicoccum are cultivated in the country – India and the Wheat products available are as: Chapati and its variants, Bread, Biscuit, Naan, Kulcha, Bhatura, Puri, Pizza, Parantha, Bhakhri, Porridge, Rava Idli, Rava Puttu, Khichdi and Pasta Products like Macaroni, Spaghetti And Vermicelli, Kachori, Samosa, Matthi, Namakpara, Papad, Sattu, Noodles, Laddu, Pav, Buns, Cake, Pastry etc. Additionally, wheat can be used for the production of starch, malt, dextrose, gluten, alcohol, and other products.

Species Type : Common Wheat called Triticum aestivum L.

Species : Wheat varieties in india : T. aestivum, T. aethiopicum, T. araraticum, T. boeoticum, T. carthlicum, T. compactum, T. dicoccoides, T. dicoccon, T. durum, T. ispahanicum, T. karamyschevii, T. macha, T. militinae, T. monococcum, T. polonicum, T. spelta, T. sphaerococcum, T. timopheevii, T. turanicum, T. turgidum, T. urartu, T. vavilovii, T. zhukovskyi

Table 1: Promising wheat varieties for different products.

Note: Agro-climatic zone: NWPZ : North Western Plains Zone; NEPZ : North Eastern Plains Zone; CZ : Central Zone; PZ : Peninsular Zone; NHZ : Northern Hills Zone

Wheat Uses:

1. Wheat is an important source of carbohydrates.
2. Wheat is a Rabi Crop (sown in winter and harvested in the spring in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh).
3. Having a Wheat protein content is about 13%.
4. Low in protein quality for supplying essential amino acids.
5. Wheat is a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain.
6. Wheat is a staple food i.e., the dominant part of a population’s diet, eaten regularly—even daily—and supply a major proportion of a person’s energy and nutritional needs.

Largest Producer of Wheat In The World

Here are the 10 countries with the most wheat production based on 2017 data:

1. China (134.3 million metric tons)
2. India (98.5 million metric tons)
3. Russia (85.9 million metric tons)
4. United States (47.3 million metric tons)
5. France (36.9 million metric tons)
6. Australia (31.8 million metric tons)
7. Canada (30 million metric tons)
8. Pakistan (26.7 million metric tons)
9. Ukraine (26.2 million metric tons)
10. Germany (24.5 million metric tons)

The European Union is the largest producer of Wheat in the World, producing 150.2 million metric tons of wheat. China, India, and Russia, the three countries added about 41% of the world’s total wheat production as largest producer of Wheat in the World.

Largest Producer of Wheat In India

भारत में गेहूं की खेती पारंपरिक रूप से भारत के उत्तरी क्षेत्र में होती है। भारत के उत्तरी राज्य पंजाब और हरियाणा के मैदानी भाग गेहूँ के विपुल उत्पादक रहे हैं। जबकि इस अनाज घास का अतीत में सावधानीपूर्वक अध्ययन किया गया है, भारत की बेहतरीन वैज्ञानिक प्रतिभा द्वारा हाल के वर्षों के श्रमसाध्य शोध ने ड्यूरम गेहूं ( Durum Wheat ) की विशिष्ट रूप से बेहतर किस्मों के विकास के साथ भुगतान किया है।

India Facts and Figures :
APEDA states that World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined. Demand of India’s wheat in the world shows a rising trend. Our country India has exported to Bangladesh Pr, Nepal, U Arab Emts, Sri Lanka Dsr, Yemen Republic and other countries as major export destinations … 20,88,487.66 MT of wheat to the world for the worth of Rs. 4,037.60 crores/549.70 USD Millions during the year of 2020-21.

Wheat varieties in India : The main varieties of wheat grown in India are as follows VL-832,VL-804, HS-365, HS-240 , HD2687,WH-147, WH-542, PBW-343, WH-896(d), PDW-233(d), UP-2338, PBW-502, Shresth (HD 2687), Aditya (HD 2781), HW-2044, HW-1085, NP-200(di), HW-741.

Top 10 Wheat Producing States in India

Top 10 Wheat Producing States : 2014-2015

Wheat Cultivation

Bed Planting

By this technique, the field is prepared by traditional method and bed is prepared for planting. In this method, a special machine called bed planter is used to make furrows and sowing. The furrows are also used for water drainage. On a bed, the wheat is planted in 2 or 3 rows. The farmer can save seed, fertilizer and water and take good yield in this method. The wheat crop can be sown as mixed crop with sugarcane crop. The soil for sowing should be in the form of fine tilth and there should be sufficient moisture for good germination. The characteristics features and benefits of this method are as follows:

• Approximately 25% seed can be saved in this method. It means 30-32 kg seed is sufficient for 1 acre.
• This machine prepares the bed of 70 cm on which the wheat can be planted in 2-3 rows. For better germination, seed should be placed at a depth of 4-5 cm.
• The bed should be in north-south direction so that every plant can get direct sun light.
• The cost of this machine is approximately Rs.70, 000.
• 25-40% water requirement is less in this method. If there is in sufficient moisture in the field, irrigate the field within 5 day of sowing.
• In this method, approximately 25% nitrogen is saved.120 kg Nitrogen, 60 kg Phosphorous and 4o kg potash per hectare is sufficient.

Crop diversification by Bed Planting

Crop of moong, maize, soyabean, arhar and cotton can be grown immediately after wheat. This method results 15-20% more yield of pulses and oilseeds.

Use of Fertilizers

A. Quantity

It is better to use fertilizer on the basis of soil testing report. To get good yield of dwarf variety of wheat after the crop of maize, paddy, jowar, bajra in Kharif, use at the rate of 120:60:40 kg per hectare and in case of late sowing, 80: 40:30 nitrogen, phosphorous and potash respectively.

In Bundelkhand region, use of nitrogen, phosphorous and potash at the rate of in120: 60:40 kg per hectare respectively and 30 kg sulphur per hectare has been found beneficial in normal condition. In the areas where DAP is being continuously used, use of 30 kg sulphur would be beneficial. If the field was left vacant in Kharif or pulses were grown, use 20 kg less nitrogen per hectare. Use 60 quintal farm yard manure for good yield. It helps in maintaining soil fertility.

In continuous crop cycle of paddy-wheat area, the yield of wheat starts declining. Hence, use green manure between harvesting of wheat crop and planting of paddy or use 10-12 ton per hectare farm yard manure in paddy crop. Now a day, deficiency of zinc is often seen. The symptom of deficiency of zinc appears in the plant between 20-30 days of sowing which are as follows:

• The infected plants remain dwarf in comparison to healthy plants.
• The base of the leaves turns yellow from the lower side and grows upward.
• After some time, brown spot appears on the leaves.

If the symptom of deficiency of zinc appears in standing crop, spray 5 kg zinc sulphate and 15 kg urea dissolved in 800 liter water per hectare. If the top dressing of urea is already done, spray zinc sulphate dissolved in 2.5 kg lime water in place of urea (dissolve 2.5 kg quick lime in 10 liter water in the evening and filter it in the morning and use filtered water and through away the lime).Please note that it is essential to use urea or lime water with zinc sulphate. If zinc sulphate has not been used in paddy field as basal dressing and there is possibility of deficiency, top dress with 20-25 kg zinc sulphate.

B. Time and Method

Use fertilizer in following manner in different types of soil to increase the fertilizer capacity:

Loam or Matyar, Kawar and Mar

• Half of the quantity of nitrogen and full quantity of phosphate and potash should be given 2-3 cm below the seeds in the furrows and remaining quantity of nitrogen should be given before 2 hours of first irrigation.

• In sandy, loam, rakad and padwa sandy clay,1/3rd quantity of nitrogen and full quantity of phosphate and potash should be given below the seeds in the furrows. Half of the remaining quantity should be given after first irrigation9 after 20-25 days of sowing at crown root initiation stage) and the remaining quantity after second irrigation. In these type of soils, top dressing after irrigation is beneficial.
• Where only 40 kg full quantity of phosphate and potash should be given nitrogen and 2 irrigation is possible, place the whole quantity of nitrogen at the time of sowing in heavy loam soil but in case of light loam soil, place half of the quantity of nitrogen in the furrows at the time of sowing and top dress with the remaining quantity at the time of first irrigation.

Irrigation

A. In case of Assured Irrigation

Normal Condition: Irrigation should be done in light soil in following stages to get optimum yield from dwarf variety of wheat. Deficiency of water at these stages adversely affects the yield heavily but give light irrigation.

Table 2: Wheat Crop Irrigation

In loam or heavy loam soil, 4 times irrigation can result good yield but the irrigation should be 8 cm deep.

• a) First irrigation after 20-25 days of sowing.
• b) Second irrigation after 30 days of first irrigation.
• c) Third irrigation after 30 days of second irrigation.
• d) Fourth irrigation after 20-25 days of third irrigation.

B. In case of limited irrigation resources

If only three irrigations are possible, first irrigation should be given at crown root initiation stage, second at jointing stage and third at milk stage. If two irrigations are available, first irrigation should be given at crown root initiation stage and second at flowering stage. If only one irrigation is possible, it should be given at crown root initiation stage.

Please pay attention to following three points in irrigation of wheat:

• Level the field well before sowing and make a slope in any one direction so that the water can be uniformly distributed in the whole field.
• Divide the field in required size according to the type of soil in the field and means of irrigation after sowing. It helps in distribution of water at a time.
• In case of assured irrigation, light irrigation (approximately 6 cm deep) in light soil and in case of loam and heavy soil where irrigation facility is available, heavy irrigation ( 8 cm deep) should be done.

Note: In usher land, first irrigation should be done after 28-30 days and rest irrigation should be light and frequent so that the soil is not dried.

C. In case of irrigation and late sowing

Wheat is sown after aghani paddy, toria, potato, ratoon of sugarcane and early ripening variety of arhar but yield in this area can also be increased to some extent by following techniques of agriculture research:

• Select the variety according to seasonal adoptability for late variety which has already been described.
• In case of late sowing, use zero trill age machines for sowing.
• Use seed at the rate of 125 kg per hectare and fertilizer in balanced quantity (80:40:30).
• Soak the seed for 24 hours in water, allow germinating and sowing when the moisture is sufficient.
• Late sown wheat crop requires frequent irrigation as compared to normal crop. Do first irrigation after 15-20 days of germination and top dress. Then irrigate at an interval of 15-20 days. Water should be available in sufficient quantity at the time of streak formation and milk stage. Deficiency of water at this stage will adversely affect the yield. Do light irrigation. Adopt other cultivation activity like irrigated wheat.

Cultivation of wheat in non irrigated and rain fed condition

In the state, approximately 10% area of wheat is non-irrigated where yield is very low. The yield of this area reduces the average yield of the state. Experiment reveals that cultivation of rye, barley and gram is more beneficial than wheat in rain fed conditions. In such conditions, sow wheat in October when there is sufficient moisture. But if there is sufficient rain in the month of October-November, wheat can be sown by adopting following technique:

Preparation of field and conservation of moisture

Prepare the field by conserving the water as much as possible of last monsoon rain. In non irrigated area, not much plough is required otherwise there is possibility of loss of moisture. In such area, plough in evening followed by leveling next day can conserve the moisture.

Time of Sowing

Sow at the time of sufficient moisture, the recommended variety between second fortnight of October to first fortnight of November.

Seed Rate and distance between rows

Use seed at the rate of 100 kg per hectare and sow the seed in furrows at a distance of 23 cm in such a way the soil above the seed is not more than 4-5 cm.

Quantity of fertilizer and method of its use

Use 40 kg nitrogen, 30 kg phosphate and 30 kg potash per hectare in rain fed wheat farming. The whole quantity of fertilizer should be poured in the furrows 2-3 cm below the seeds through sprinkler or ferti –drill. If it rains, use of 15-20 kg nitrogen will be beneficial. If it does not rain, make foliar spray of 2% urea.

Crop Protection Management

Important Point: Store the grains in metallic bins, mud bins or room which ever is available. Though metallic bins are best for storage. Clean the bins before storage and spray 50% solution of malathion (1:100) at the rate of 3 liter per100 square meter.

(A) Critical Weeds

Control Measures

1. For control of gehusa and wild oat, recommended quantity of any one of the following weed herbicides chemicals dissolved in 500-600 liter water per hectare should be sprayed after 20-25 days of sowing by flat fan nozzle. For sulfuran, quantity of water should not exceed 300 liter.

Table 3:

2. For control of wide leaf weeds, bathua, sinji, Krishna nil, hiran khuri, chatri-matri, akra-akri, wild carrot, gajri, pyaji, khartua, satyanashi etc recommended quantity of any one of the following weed herbicides chemicals dissolved in 500-600 liter water per hectare should be sprayed after 25-30 days of sowing by flat fan nozzle.

Table 4:

3. For control of thin and wide leaf both types of weeds, recommended quantity of any one of the following weed herbicides chemicals dissolved in 300 liter water per hectare should be sprayed by flat fan nozzle. For metributin, quantity of water should be 500-600 liter.

Table 5:

4. For weed control in wheat crop, 1.25 ml sufectet dissolved in 500 ml water at the rate of 400 gm per hectare clodinofop 15% wp+met sulfuran 1% wp.

(B) Important Insects

Table 6:

Control Measures

• For control of termite, treat the seed with chlorpyriphos 20% EC or thiomethoxam 30% fs at the rate of 3 ml. per kg seed.
• Mix 2.5 kg per hectare biopesticide Beauvaria bassiana 1.15% with 60-70 kg farm yard manure, sprinkle water on it and keep it 8-10 days in shade and pour in the soil before sowing at the time of last plough. This controls termite and other soil borne insects.
• Use 2.5 liter per hectare chlorpyrifos 20% EC with irrigation water for control of termite/weevils in standing crop.
• For control of Mahu insect, spray dimethoate 30% EC or methyl-o-demotan 25% EC, 1.0 liter or thiomethaxam 25% wg, 500 gm per hectare dissolved in approximately 750 liter water. Azdirechtin( neem oil) 0.15% EC can be used at the rate of 2.5 liter per hectare.

(C) Main Disease

Table 7:

Control Measure

1. Seed Treatment

• For control of smut and karnal bunt, sow the seeds after treatment with 2.5 gm of thiram 75% ws or 2.5 gm of carbandasim 50% wp or 2.0 gm of carbaxin 75% wp or 1.0 gm of tebuconazol 2% ds prt hectare.
• For control of smut and other seed borne disease and traditional soil borne disease, sow the seeds after its treatment with carbaxin 37.5% and thiram 37.5% ds/ws at the rate of 3 gm per hectare.
• For control of gehusa disease, soak the seed in 2.0% salt solution ( 200 gm salt dissolved in 10 liter water). The infested seed floats up as it is lighter. Collect the infested seed and destroy it. Clean the seed soaked in salt solution with clean water 2-3 times, dry it and then use for sowing.

2. Soil Treatment

• For control of soil borne and seed borne disease, mix 2.5 kg per hectare of bio pesticide trichoderma biradi 1% wp or trichoderma hargarianum 2% wp with 60-75 kg farm yard manure, sprinkle light water on it and keep it for 8-10 days in shade. Spread it in the field at last plough before sowing. It will help in management of smut and karnal bunt.
• For control of tapeworm, spray carbofuran at the rate of 3 G 10-15 kg per hectare.

3. Foliar Treatment

• For control of gerui and leaf blight disease, spray 700 gm thiofenate methyl 70% wp or 2.0 kg Zirum 80% wp or 2.0 kg mancozeb 75% wp or 2.0 kg Zineb 75% wp per hectare dissolved in 750 liter water.
• For control of gerui, spray 500 ml per hectare propiconazole 255 EC dissolved in 750 liter water.
• For control of karnal bunt, spray 2.25 kg witer tanal 25% wp or 500 ml per hectare propiconazole 25% EC dissolved in approximately 750 liter water.

4. Rats

Field rats, Soft furred field rats and field mouse.

Control Measures

The rat damages the wheat crop. If the rats are watched and weekly control program of zinc phosphide 80% is carried out in group, it will result in success:

Table 8:

Place 10 gm fodder made of bromodiolon 0.005% in every open hole. The rats die after eating this medicine 3-4 times.

Important Point-According to climate and Variety

• Timely sowing.
• Select the recommended variety and use only pure and certified, treated seeds as per specific area.
• Use fertilizer in recommended quantity on the basis of soil testing. Use the sufficient quantity of fertilizer at the time of sowing.
• Irrigate as the recommendations by maximum utilization of irrigation capacity.
• If zinc phoshide has not been used in earlier crop or at the time of sowing, use zinc sulphate as per recommendations in standing crop.
• Timely use of chemicals foe weed control as per recommendations.
• Control weeds and insects in time.

Integrated Management

• Prepare the compost of crop stubbles in earlier crops.
• If possible, dig the termite place and kill the queen termite.
• Use neem cake in termite affected area at the rate of 10 quintal per hectare.
• Always use good quality farm yard manure in termite affected area.
• Sow the seeds after treatment with the chlorpyrifos 20EC at the rate of 4 ml per kg seed in termite affected area.
• Timely sowing reduces the menace of mahu and sainik insects.
• Use fertilizers only on the basis of soil treatment. The possibility of mahu and sainik insect menace will be there, if higher quantity of nitrogenous fertilizers is used.
• Conserve natural enemies of insects.
• Use chlorpyrifos 20 EC at the rate of 2-3 liter per hectare with irrigation water or sand in case of termite menace in standing crop.
• Mix Beauvaria bassiana 2 kg with 20 kg farm yard manure, keep it for 10 days in shade and spread in the furrows at the time of sowing.

Improved methods of wheat cultivation by zero tillage in the state

In wheat-paddy crop cycle in the state, where the sowing of wheat is especially delayed, sowing of wheat by tillage has been found beneficial. In this method, the wheat is sown by a machine (Zero tillage machines) without preparation of field.

Benefits: Benefits of this method is as follows:

• Reduction in cost of production of wheat (Approximately Rs.2000/ per hectare).
• If the wheat is sown earlier by 7-10 days, yield increases.
• Results in sufficient numbers of plants and best use o fertilizer.
• As the water is not logged in first irrigation, there is no problem in growth of the crop.
• Reduce the menace of gehusa, the critical wheat crop weed.
• In lower land, on the bank of canal and brick fields, wheat can be sown easily by use of this machine.

Zero Tillage Method:

Attention must be paid to following facts at the time of sowing by Zero Tillage Method:

• There should be sufficient moisture in the field at the time of sowing. If necessary, irrigate at least 1 week before the harvesting of paddy. Sow wheat immediately after harvesting of paddy.
• Appropriate seed rate will be 125 kg per hectare.
• Use granular fertilizer (NPK) .
• First irrigation after 15 days of sowing..
• Use herbicides chemicals for weed control.
• Land should be leveled.

Note: Do not burn the crop stubbles after wheat harvesting.

FAQ

What are the Wheat varieties in India?

Wheat varieties in India : The main varieties of wheat grown in India are as follows VL-832,VL-804, HS-365, HS-240 , HD2687,WH-147, WH-542, PBW-343, WH-896(d), PDW-233(d), UP-2338, PBW-502, Shresth (HD 2687), Aditya (HD 2781), HW-2044, HW-1085, NP-200(di), HW-741.

How much Wheat exported from India in 2020-21 ?

APEDA states that World trade in wheat is greater than for all other crops combined. Demand of India’s wheat in the world shows a rising trend. Our country India has exported to Bangladesh Pr, Nepal, U Arab Emts, Sri Lanka Dsr, Yemen Republic and other countries as major export destinations … 20,88,487.66 MT of wheat to the world for the worth of Rs. 4,037.60 crores/549.70 USD Millions during the year of 2020-21

What is Wheat meaning in Hindi ?

The archaeological record suggests that Wheat (a grass widely cultivated for its seed, a cereal grain)
Wheat Meaning in Hindi: गेहूँ | गेहूँ का पौधा
1. a type of grain which can be made into flour – गेहूँ . Gahu, Gehun
2. the plant which produces this grain – गेहूँ का पौधा

Source: APEDA | Wikipedia | Krishisewa | Agriculture Department | Mapsofindia