“Wheat Cultivation: Best Practices for High Yield & Profit (2025 Guide)”

Wheat cultivation is the backbone of global agriculture, feeding billions and driving economies. To achieve a high-yield, disease-resistant, and profitable harvest, farmers must adopt scientifically proven techniques. From soil preparation and seed selection to irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, every step impacts productivity. Backed by expert research and modern agricultural advancements, this guide provides actionable insights to optimize wheat cultivation. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced farmer, follow these best practices to ensure sustainable growth and maximum profitability.

About the Wheat cultivation

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Select a good variety, such as seed treatment, sowing method, new wheat technology, and harvesting, to get a good yield. Wheat is the king of cereal and cereal crops, the main crop of India and other countries. After rice, it is one of the most cultivated crops that thrive in moderate temperatures with low humidity during its growth period. There are two major species of wheat grown worldwide: bread wheat, known as Triticum aestivum, and pasta or durum wheat, known as Triticum durum. Knowing which variety will suit the climate and soil in your area can help improve yield and quality.

About wheat

Types of wheat

1,bread wheat( Triticum aestivum)

  Features-

• it is hexaploids wheat 2n =42
• mostly  grown in India 
• occupying about 87% of the wheat area
• it’s good for chapati making 
• introduced in India by Borlaug from Mexico, hence called Mexican dwarf wheat
• responsible for the green revaluation

2,Durum/macaroni wheat(t. turum)

Features-

• It is tetraploid 2n = 28
• Used for suji Semya preparation
• This occupies about 12% of the wheat area, 
• Durum variety – jairaj,malavika

3, emmer wheat( t. dicocum)

Features-

• tetraploidy, 2n=28
• occupies about 1% of the wheat area, particularly in Gj, MH, AP, KN and TN.
• suitable for preparation of south Indian dish -upma

4, Diploid wheat species

A,Triticum monococum = 2n =14

B, triticum aegiloploid = 2n=14

Classification of Indian crops click and read all the details

Area and distribution of wheat

wheat is a global-level cultivated cereal crop and ranks first in the world among the cereals in terms of area and production so wheat is called the king of cereals. It comes in the category of Rabi season crop.

In India wheat position –

Area – up>mp>Punjab

Production –up>punjab>haryana

Productivity-Punjab(45q/h)> Haryana

*the highest productivity of wheat in Punjab due to nearly 100% of the area of wheat being under irrigated conditions and higher dose of fertiliser consumption

Economic importance of wheat

1, Wheat production creates millions of jobs worldwide in the agricultural sector, transportation, processing and sale of wheat crops. Our employment has been generated. Wheat is one of the main income sources for local farmers in the world’s major wheat-producing regions such as India, Pakistan and the US.

2, Wheat is one of the most important staple crops in the world, contributing significantly to the GDP of many countries. In India, wheat contributed 1.36 trillion Indian rupees to GDP in 2021. Major producers such as China, India, the United States, and Russia depend on wheat production as a pillar of their agricultural economy.

3, Wheat contributes to food security by providing a stable source of food that can be easily stored. Due to stable production, wheat is available almost worldwide, meaning that due to its global availability, it is less prone to price fluctuations during crises such as drought, conflict or even breakdown of supply lines.

4, Wheat is used in industries to make starch, biofuels, paper, and textiles, increasing the economic use of wheat. Its by-products, such as wheat bran and chaff, are also used as animal feed and as raw material for many other industrial products.

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Nutritional importance

Wheat is highly nutritious, and packed with essential macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals that support various bodily functions and provide better health.

Climate requirement for better wheat production

Wheat is the C3 plant and long-day plant. the ideal climatic condition required in wheat crops…

*cool and moist weather during the vegetative growth period 

*warm and dry weather during grain formation 

Temperature requirement for wheat cultivation

Minimum- 15^c

Optimum- 16-21^c

Maximum- 35^c

Soil

Wheat can be grown in all types of soils but loamy soil and alluvial soil are considered the best.

*The pH of the soil should be between 5 to 7.5.

Seed and sowing

Seed rate for wheat cultivation

For normal sowing –100kg

For broadcasting-125kg

For dibbling – 25-30 kg

Spacing-

Row to row-22.5cm

Plant to plant- 10cm

Depth

Single gene dwarf varieties- 5-6 cm 

Double gene dwarf varieties-4-5 cm

Triple gene dwarf varieties – 3-4 cm

• An average sowing depth is – 5 cm

Sowing

The process of putting wheat seeds in the soil is called sowing.

There are many methods of wheat sowing

• Sowing time = 1st fortnight of November is the best time for wheat sowing, while rainfed wheat is sown in the second fortnight of October

Sowing methods

1, drilling 

2, broadcasting 

3, dibbling 

4, behind the plough method

5, FIRB method

Drilling-

 Seed-cum-ferti drills are the best and most common method in which wheat seeds are delivered to an optimum depth in the soil with the help of a seed drill.

 Broadcasting-

This is the oldest method of sowing in which the seeds are scattered evenly in the entire field by hand. This method requires more seeds.

Dibbling-

sowing with dibbler equipment, required less seed than other methods.

Behind the plough method-

there are two types 1, Kera method 2, Pora method

1, Kera method-

when seeds are dropped by hand in the furrow made by a country plough is called the Kera method.

2, Pora method-

when seeds are dropped in a furrow by a funnel to the plough is known as the Pora method

FIRB method-

A new method of sowing in furrow-irrigated raised bed systems is called the FIRB method.

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Advanced Wheat Farming Techniques for Higher Yield

✔ Zero Tillage Farming – Effective in reducing cost and maintaining soil health.

✔ Drip Irrigation – Saves water and leads to better growth.

✔ Soil Testing & Nutrient Management – ​​Use balanced fertilizers after checking pH and fertility.

✔ Use of Bio-Fertilizers – You will get the benefit of organic farming by using bio-fertilizers like Trichoderma and Azospirillum.

📢 Fact: Zero tillage reduces the cost of wheat farming by 15-20% and production can increase by 10-15%!

Seed treatment in wheat

Seed treatment is a technique to be known before sowing, in which seeds are treated with fungicides, insecticides etc. to protect them from diseases and insects.

A, fungicide treatment–

1, carbendazim

 2, thiram

  3, tebuconazole

*  applied at 2-3 grams per kg seed before sowing of wheat seeds

B, insecticidal treatment-

1, imidacloprid 

 2, thiamethoxam

*applied 5 ml insecticide per kg of wheat seeds.

C, biofertilizer treatment-

  A. Azospirillum – a nitrogen-fixing bacteria that improves the nitrogen availability 

   B, Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria enhance phosphorus uptake.

Land preparation

Land preparation is essential for wheat cultivation. First of all, 25 tan FYM should be mixed well in the soil 1 month before sowing. After that, the soil should be plugged 2 to 3 times with a plough. After that, the soil should be ploughed 1 to 2 times with a cultivator. Then finally, the soil should be leveled with a leveler and then sowing should be done.

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 Varieties

1, single gene dwarf variety –

Sujata

Giriraj- suitable for hill area 

Sonalica

2, Double gene dwarf variety –

Kalyan Sona, Sonora -64, Chhoti, Lerma.

3, Triple gene dwarf variety-

Heera, mori, lal badshah

4, Mutant variety-

sharbati Sonora, Pusa Lerma.

New variety developed by IARI- New Delhi-

1. HD -3086
2. HD-3090
3. HD3226

Suitable for Madhya Pradesh-

Sharbati,mp4010,Hi1544,mp1544,mp1203,pusa ujala.

Other Popular Variety-

1, Lock-1- suitable for late sowing 

2, K-65- tall variety suitable for late sowing and saline soil

3, Sujata- suitable for dry land 

4, Shailaja- suitable for Himachal Pradesh 

5, Raj -4037- suitable for warm climate 

6, WH-147- suitable for making good quality of Chapati

Region-wise Best Wheat Varieties in India

North India (Punjab, Haryana, UP, Rajasthan)
HD 2967 – High yield and disease resistant
PBW 550 – Good productivity in Dry climate
Central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra)
HI 1544 – Water-efficient and high protein content
GW 322 – Dryland wheat variety
South & East India (Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand, WB, Odisha)
MACS 6222 – Early maturing and heat resistant
DBW 187 – Suitable for Humid climate
📌 Pro Tip: You should select the best variety according to the climate and soil type of your region so that maximum yield is obtained.

Manure and Fertilizer in wheat cultivation

Nitrogen-120/kg/ha

Phosphorus -60/kg

Potash-40/kg

*Nitrogen will be supplied through urea.

*phosphorus will be supplied through DAP.

*potash will be supplied through MOP.

Does- half dose of nitrogen and a full dose of P and K are applied as a basal and the remaining half dose of nitrogen is applied as top dressing at 4th irrigations.

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Irrigation stage in wheat cultivation

According to R.B.L Bhardwaj, for high production of wheat, wheat needs 6 irrigations. Which CRI (crown root initiation) stage is critical and comes after 21 days.

Weed control

 two types of weed found in wheat crops…

1, Monocot weeds-

The seeds of a weed which, when broken, cannot be separated into two equal parts.

Some common monocot weeds-

Phalaris minor, avena fatua, echinochloa crus-galli(barnyard grass), cynodon dactylon

2, Dicot weeds-

The seeds of such weeds can be divided into two equal parts when broken.

Some common dicot  weeds-

Chenopodium album, anagallis arvensis, melilotus indica, medicago denticulata, vicia sativa.

Weed control methods-

1, cultural method

2, mechanical method

3, chemical method

4, biological method

Chemical method-

Controlling weeds using weedicides and herbicides is called the chemical weed control method.

* control monocot weed applied isoproturon @ 0.75kg/ha at 30-35 days after sowing.

*Control dicot weed applied 2,4 D eater salt as post-emergence i.e. 30-35 DAS@ 500ml/h to control dicot weed.

 Diseases of wheat cultivation

1, rust disease –

• Stem rust( puccinia graminis)
• Leaf rust( puccinia triticina)
• Strip rust(puccinia striformis)

Control – apply fungicides like tebuconazole, and propiconazole and grow rust resistance variety.

2, powdery mildew( blumeria graminis)-

White, powdery fungal growth on leaf surfaces, stems, and spikelets. Leaves may yellow and die.

Control-apply sulphur-based fungicides or products like tebuconazole.

3, loose smut(Ustilago tritici)-

destroying kernels.

control-Use disease-free seeds, and treat seeds with fungicides like carboxin.

4, karnal bunt( Tilletia indica)-

Partial kernel infection with a black, fishy-smelling powdery mass inside.

control-Use certified seed, fungicide seed treatment.

Insects of wheat cultivation

1, aphids( green bug)-

Aphids also spread viruses.

control-apply selective insecticides to control aphid populations

2, Armyworms-

Caterpillars with dark stripes that feed on leaves and stems.

control-Use biological control agents like Bacillus thuringiensis.

3, grasshoppers–

Grasshoppers feed on leaves, stems, and sometimes heads of wheat.

4, cutworm–

caterpillars that cut plants at the base, often killing seedlings and young plants.

Control- Apply organic insecticides in the early evening when cutworms are active.

Most Common Wheat Farming Problems & Solutions

Government Schemes and Subsidies in Wheat Farming

👨‍💼 PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana: Rs. 6,000 annual financial support
🌱 Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM): 50-80% subsidy on modern equipment
💰 NABARD Agriculture Loan: A 3-4% interest rate loan is available for wheat farming
🚜 Crop Insurance (PMFBY): Up to 80% coverage in case of natural disaster or damage

📌 How to apply? You can apply online by visiting www.pmkisan.gov.in.

Harvesting technique in wheat cultivation

Harvesting Process-

1, Timing-

Wheat is one of the annual crops that gets ready in 120 to 140 days. Harvesting should be done when the grains are fully matured and there is 20-25% moisture in the grain.

2, Harvesting methods-

Manual harvesting-

through the sickles

Mechanical harvesting-

through the harvester equipment.

3, Post-harvesting process-

A, Threshing-

This process separates the grain from the straw.

B, Winnowing and cleaning-

 After threshing, any remaining trash and impurities are removed to prepare the grain for storage.

C, Drying and storage-

Wheat grains are provided with a protected environment to protect them from diseases and insects so that the wheat can be kept safe for a longer period.

Yield

 The average yield is approximately 25 to 30 q/h in India

Wheat Cultivation: Profitability and Cost Analysis

Investment and Profit Calculation:

• The total cost of wheat farming in one acre is between ₹12,000 – ₹15,000.

• The average yield in one acre is 40-50 quintals.

• According to the current market price, the minimum price of 1 quintal of wheat is ₹2,200 – ₹2,500.

• In this way, the total income of one acre can be ₹88,000 – ₹1,25,000.

• The net profit can be between ₹70,000 – ₹1,10,000 if good farming techniques are used.

👨‍🌾 Case Study: Rajesh Kumar, a farmer from MP, achieved 30% more yield by using improved seeds and modern techniques and his profit reached ₹1,00,000.

Important questions/facts about wheat cultivation

• The flowering portion of wheat is called- spike/ear
• The most critical stage for irrigation in wheat cultivation- CRI(21 DAS after sowing)
• A gene responsible for Dwarfness in wheat is – Norin-10
• Important mimicry wheat is – Phalaris minor
• Test weight of wheat seed- 40g
• Fruit type of wheat- caryopsis
• First man-made cereals – triticale
• Triticale is a cross of- wheat and rye
• Temperature for germination of wheat seed – 25-30 c
• Protein content  in wheat- 8-19%
• Triticum aestivum was first introduced in India by – NE Borlaug of Mexico
• Highest production and cultivation area of wheat- UP
• The export quality of wheat is influenced by Karnal bunt disease.
• Biofertilizer for wheat is – Azotobacter.

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Conclusion

Wheat is one of the most important crops which is produced in a large area in India and apart from India, in the entire world. Selection of high-yielding variety plays an important role in wheat cultivation which helps in increasing productivity. Wheat cultivation is done in every state in India. UP is the largest wheat producer in India. Land selection, seed treatment, sowing method, seed rate, etc. factors affect wheat cultivation.

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