Introduction to major field crops (1+1)

Sowing

Time of Sowing
Time of sowing depends on climatic conditions, soil conditions and irrigation facility. In irrigated areas sowing should be done during the month of November and in rainfed areas during second fortnight of October to early November to realize the maximum advantage from the residual soil moisture.

Seed Rate
Broadcasting of seeds require 150 kg/ha while seed drills 100-125 kg/ha and dibbling 25-30 kg/ha. Under late sown situation or when the soil moisture is less at the time of sowing seed rate should be increased by 25 per cent.

Spacing
Irrigated wheat is spaced 22.5 cm between rows and 8-10 cm between plants. Rainfed wheat is spaced 25-30 cm between rows and 5-6 cmbetween plants. When sowing is delayed a closer spacing of 15-18 cm between rows is recommended.

Method of sowing
Sowing of wheat is generally done by following methods.

1. Broadcasting:It the most prevailing and simple method of wheat sowing in India. Seeds are broadcasted on soil surface, then worked in by harrowing and covered by planking.

2. Behind the Plough: In this method, the seeds are dropped by hand into the furrows that have been opened with local plough. The seeds are dropped at a desired depth by hand (kera method) or special attachment with local plough (called poramethod).

3. Drilling:Drilling of seeds with the help of seed drill or seed-cum-fertilizer drill is the best method of sowing.

4. Dibbling: Sowing of seeds is done with the help of a small implement known as dibbler. Dibblers are pressed into the soil to make the holes and one or two seeds are dropped by hand in each hole and seeds are covered. Though this method greatly economies the seed, it is time consuming and labour intensive.


Nutrient Management
Application of nitrogen up to 40-60 kg/ha for rainfed condition and 120-150 kg/ha for irrigated condition is recommended. Use of farm yard manure, green manure, nitrogen fixing micro-organisms like Azatobacter, Azospirillum, etc. reduces nitrogen requirement by one-third. Nitrogenous fertilizers should be applied in two splits; 50 per cent each as basal dose at the time of sowing and top dressing at 30 days after sowing.

Requirement phosphorus for the wheat crop is up to 60 kg/ha and potassium is 40-50 kg/ha and both are applied at the sowing as basal dose.

Zinc deficiency soils require application of 25 kg/ha of zinc sulphate or foliar spray of ZnSo4 @ 0.5 per cent. For this 5 kg of ZnSo4 and 2.5 kg of slaked lime is dissolved in 1,000 litres of water to spray an area of one hectare. For manganese deficient soils, foliar spray of 0.5 per cent MnSo4 is recommended.