🌾 How to Grow Wheat – A Complete Guide

گندم کی کاشت – مکمل رہنمائی

Wheat (گندم) is one of the most important staple food crops in the world, especially in South Asia. It is a rabi crop, meaning it is sown in winter and harvested in spring. If grown with the right techniques, wheat can give high yields and excellent returns to the farmer. In this article, we will cover everything from seed selection to harvesting.

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🌱 1. Soil Preparation | زمین کی تیاری

Wheat requires well-drained, fertile loamy soil with good water retention capacity. Soil pH should ideally be between 6.0 to 7.5.

✅ Steps:

• First Ploughing: Use a deep plough to turn the soil.

• 2–3 Harrowings: To make the soil fine and level.

• Add organic manure (گوبر کھاد) or compost 20–30 days before sowing.

• Soil testing is highly recommended to check nutrient levels.

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🌾 2. Seed Selection | بیج کا انتخاب

High-yielding and disease-resistant varieties should be selected based on local climate.

✅ Common Varieties:

• India: HD 2967, PBW 725, DBW 187

• Pakistan: Sehar-06, Galaxy-2013, Faisalabad-2008

✅ Seed Rate:

• Use 100–120 kg seed per hectare.

• For areas with late sowing or poor irrigation, use a slightly higher seed rate.

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🕰️ 3. Sowing Time | گندم بونے کا صحیح وقت

Timing is critical in wheat cultivation.

Region	Ideal Sowing Time
Northern India/Pakistan	1st Nov – 30th Nov
Central India	Mid Oct – Early Nov
Southern India	Late Oct – Mid Nov

Late sowing reduces yield by 10–15%.

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🌾 4. Sowing Methods | بیج بونے کے طریقے

✅ Broadcasting (چھڑکاؤ):

• Quick but uneven plant spacing.

• Used by small-scale farmers.

✅ Drilling Method (مشین کے ذریعے قطار میں):

• Recommended for uniform growth.

• Saves seeds and increases yield.

✅ Zero Tillage:

• Wheat is sown directly after harvesting rice, no ploughing.

• Saves time, fuel, and cost.

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💧 5. Irrigation Schedule | آبپاشی کا نظام

Wheat requires 4 to 5 irrigations at critical growth stages:

Stage	Days After Sowing	Importance
CRI (Crown Root Initiation)	20–25 days	Most crucial
Tillering	40–45 days	Promotes tillers
Booting	60–65 days	Grain development
Flowering	80–85 days	Grain filling
Dough Stage	100–105 days	Final grain maturity

Avoid water stagnation — it leads to fungal diseases.

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🌿 6. Fertilizers & Nutrient Management | کھاد اور غذائیت کا انتظام

✅ Recommended Dose per Hectare:

• Nitrogen (N): 120 kg

• Phosphorus (P2O5): 60 kg

• Potash (K2O): 40 kg

Apply half nitrogen + full phosphorus & potash at sowing. Apply the remaining nitrogen in two splits after first and second irrigation.

Use zinc, sulfur, and boron as micronutrients if deficiency is found in soil test.

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🐛 7. Pest & Disease Management | کیڑے اور بیماریوں کا علاج

Common diseases in wheat:

✅ Rust (زنگ)

• Symptoms: Yellow/brown spots on leaves

• Control: Use resistant varieties, spray Propiconazole

✅ Aphids (چوسنے والے کیڑے)

• Small green-black insects suck sap

• Control: Spray Imidacloprid or Neem extract

✅ Root Rot

• Avoid waterlogging, rotate crops

Regular field visits and timely pesticide use are essential.

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🌾 8. Weed Control | جڑی بوٹیوں پر قابو

Weeds reduce wheat yield by competing for nutrients and light.

✅ Common Weeds:

• Bathua (Chenopodium)

• Wild Oats

• Phalaris Minor

Use Isoproturon, 2,4-D, or Pendimethalin within 30 days of sowing. Mechanical hoeing can also be done in line-sown wheat.

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🧺 9. Harvesting | کٹائی کا وقت

Wheat is ready for harvest in 120–140 days depending on the variety and climate.

✅ Signs of Maturity:

• Yellowing of leaves and stems

• Hard grains

• Moisture content ~20%

Use sickles (درانتی) or harvesters for cutting. Threshing can be done using mechanical threshers or traditional methods.

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🏷️ 10. Storage | گندم کو محفوظ کرنا

Grains must be dried properly before storage to avoid fungal growth.

✅ Storage Tips:

• Use gunny bags or metal bins

• Keep grains in cool, dry places

• Mix Neem leaves to avoid insects

• Use fumigation if needed

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📈 Yield & Profit | پیداوار اور منافع

Average yield:

• 3.5–5.5 tons per hectare under proper management

• High-tech farms may achieve 6–7 tons

Net profit depends on:

• Seed quality

• Irrigation facilities

• Timely pest management

• Market price (mandi bhav)

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📝 Conclusion | نتیجہ

Wheat farming is a dependable and rewarding practice when done with proper knowledge and planning. From land preparation to harvesting, each step plays a key role in maximizing your output. By using modern techniques, disease-free seeds, and efficient water and nutrient management, any farmer can achieve high productivity and profitability.

Agar aap naye ho ya advanced farming seekhna chahte ho, toh local Krishi Vigyan Kendra ya agriculture extension officer se zaroor contact karein.