Irrigation for Wheat Cultivation

Irrigation for Wheat Cultivation

1. Rainfed wheat crop is grown on residual moisture in soil and dew formed during winter.
2. In this case according to availability of water on to two irrigation at crown root initiation and flowering stage may be given to obtain good yield.
3. For irrigated wheat crop five to six irrigations are given at 20-21 days interval.
4. First presoaking irrigation is given before preparing the final seedbed get better crop stand.
5. Other irrigations are given at critical stages of growth. These stages are-

i) C.R.I. stage (Crown root initiation) after 20 to 25 days of sowing to promote tillering.
ii) Late tillering stage.
iii) Earring or heading stage.
iv) Flowering stage.
v) Milk or Dough or grain formation stage.

6. Out of these CRI stage is the most critical stage for irrigation in wheat, because any shortage of moisture at this stage results in less tillering, formation of small eartheads and great reduction in yield.
7. Last irrigation is help full only for dwarf wheat but for tall growing wheat it may result in lodging of the crop.