Irrigation and fertilizer schedule for wheat

 

Irrigation schedule for wheat

For the better production of wheat there are various factors which contribute their important role. But most important of them is exact or proper time of irrigation. Proper irrigation results in better production of crop. Lack of irrigation severely effects the process of grain formation. Total duration of wheat is 160 days. There are four important stages where lack irrigation results in low yield.

Important stages on which irrigation should be done.

1.       Tillering

2.       Booting

3.       Milking or grain formation

4.       Grain filing or ripening

Tillering:

                First irrigation should be applied to the wheat when crop start to make tillers. This condition usually initiates after 18 to 25 days of sowing. Shortage of water at this stage results in lower number of tillers. Which ultimately results in lower crop yield.

Booting:

                It is 2^nd most important phase when crop produce spikes. It comes after 80-90 days of cultivation of crop. Deficiency of water on this stage adversely affects the process of pollination resulting in reduced number of grain formation.

Milking or grain formation:

                At this phase grain attains its maximum size but it is in milking stage. Grain becomes shriveled due lack of water on this stage. This stage comes after 125-130 days of cultivation.

Grain filling or ripening:

                This irrigation is required when weather becomes hot. This happens usually in the month of April. At this stage low amount of water is needed as compared to other stages and water should be applied according to the weather conditions. Water stress results in shriveled and weak grain.

Use of fertilizer

Nitrogenous fertilizer should be applied in three doses.

1.       At time of sowing

2.       At 1^st irrigation

3.       At 2^nd irrigation

Nitrogenous fertilizers should be completed before heading stage. Late application of nitrogenous fertilizer results in the attack of insects. It also weaken the plants and crop become vulnerable to rust attack.