Water and Land Management – Agriculture Science

Water and Land Management - Agriculture Science - Meropaper

Water and Land Management – Agriculture Science | AG | notes

Introduction

Wheat is number one cereal crop of the world on the basis of both the yield and area coverage. It is a major staple food grains for the peoples in the world. It is third cereals crop of Nepal after rice and maize. Wheat is less susceptible to disease and insect pest as compared to that of other cereals and oil seed and hence there is less risk of crop faiure

Wheat is more nutritious as compared to that of rice and maize. It contains 11.8% protein, 1.5-2% minerals, 1.5-2% fat, 60-83% carbohydrates, 1-5-2% crude fibre.

2. Origin

The centre of origin of wheat is believed to be South-western Asia.

3. Soil

Well drained loams and clayey loams are considered the best soil for wheat cultivation. However , good crop of wheat can be raised in sandy loams and black soils also. Heavy and black soils are considered best for durum wheat where as aestivum wheat is grown in all most all type of soils. The soil should have moderate water holding capacity with pH range of 6.6 to 7.3 for successful cultivation

4. Climate

Wheat is cool loving crop. It can be grown successfully in tropical, sub tropical and temperate climate as well. It can tolerate very cold climate and even the snow during early age of growth. Wheat is cultivated up to an altitude of 2800m from the MSL. It is cultivated as a winter season crop in Terai and Mid-hill regions of Nepal. While it is planted during autumn and harvested before the starting of sever cold in dry temperate regions having am altitude above 2200m from the MSL.

The optimum temperature for seed germination ranges between 20-250c. While best tillering occurs at the temperature range of 15-250c. During ripening phase the ideal temperature range is 14-150c. A higher temperature range above 250c accelerate the maturity process which may lead shriveling of the gains.

5. Cropping patterns/crop rotation

A.Terai-

i) Rice-Wheat-Maize/summer vegetables.

ii) Rice-Wheat-Mustard.

iii) Maize-Wheat-Mustard

B. Hill

i) Maize/Milet-Wheat.

ii) Potato-Wheat.

iii) Rice-Wheat

C. High hill

Wheat.

6. Recommended cultivars

i) For Terai- UP 262, Nepal 297

ii) For Terai, Foot hill and the valley up to an elevation of 1000m from MSL-B.L 1022, B.L. 1135, Bhirkuti.

iii) For Terai, Foot hill and the region up to an elevation of 500m from MSL-Additya, N.L 971.

iv) For Mid hill and high hill-Annapurna 4, WK 1204.

7. Land Preparation

– Wheat crops requires a well-pulverized but compact seedbed for good and uniform germination.

– Field should be ploughed 3-4 times, repeated harrowing, cultivaton and planking are done before sowing for raising a good crop of wheat.

– Very timely cultivation of field is essential to conserve the soil moisture under rain fed condition.

– For the irrigated crop, the land is given a pre-sowing irrigation followed by cultivation and planking to prepare a fine well-pulverized seedbed.

– Recently zero-tillage and minimal tillage practices are adopted in order to conserve soil moisture under rain fed condition.

8. Manure and fertilizers

  • Well decomposed FYM or compost should be applied @ 10-15mt/ha 5-6  weeks before wheat sowing either in rain fed or irrigated wheat field.
  • For the higher yield following does of chemical fertilizer is essential. Under irriagated condition 100 kg N, 50 kg P, and 50 kg K per ha are applied. The whole amount of phosphorus and potash and half amount of nitrogen should be applied during final land preparation and remaining does of nitrogen should be applied at the first irrigation.
  • Under rain fed condition 60 kg N, 40kg P, and 25kg K per ha is applied during the final land preparation.

9. Time of sowing

Optimum time of wheat depends on varietal characteristics. The early variety needs early sowing and late varieties are sown 15-20 days later on the early varieties. The optimum time of wheat sowing is second fort-night kirtik to second for-night of Mangsir.

10. Seed rate and Spacing

– Amount of seeds depend on their size, germination percentage, method of showing, varieties etc. In general 100kg of seeds will be enough for a hectare of land. However the varities having larger grain size like Sonalika and UP 2425 need 110-125kg of seeds for a hectare of land. Wheat is sown 20-22cm apart in line and 5-7 apart the plant.

11. Method and depth of sowing

For the better germination the semi dwarf cultivars are planed at a depth of 5-6 cm and the dwarf varieties at 4 cm. In case of late sowing the seed should be planted be planted at a depth of 3-4 cm. Different methods of planting are adopted which are as follows:

i. Broadcasting- In this method seeds are sown uniformly by hand, land is ploughed and planked to cover the seed.

ii. Planting behind furrow-seeds are sown in an open furrow made by indigenous plough. The seeds sown in previous furrow is covered by next furrow.

iii. Seeding with the help of seed drill machine-Either a tractor or bullock drawn seed drill machine are used for seed sowing. The seed sowing with seed-drill machine maintain uniform depth of seed and fertilizer and gives more uniform stand and early emergence of vigorous seedlings.

12. Water Management

Wheat sown under irrigated condition require 4-6 irrigation, depending on the soil and weather. Heavy deep soil with good water holding capacity may requires 3-4 irrigation, while light sandy soil requires 6-8 lighter irrigation. Irrigation should be given during different critical stages of growth.

  • Crown root – inititation stage (CRI stage) – 20 – 22 DAS
  • Jointing stage – 35 – 40 DAS.
  • Tillering stage – 50 – 60 DAS
  • Flowering stage – 75 – 80 DAS
  • Milking stage – 90- 95 DAS
  • Grain filling stage – 100 – 105 DAS

Amoung different critical stages crown root intiation, booting stage and milk stage are more ceiticl. So the number of irrigation depends on amount of water availability.(a) If water is available for only one irrigation, It should be applied at VRI stage.(b0 if water is available for two irrigation the first irrigation.(c) I f water is available for three irrigation, the first irrigation should be given at CRI stage followed by

13. Interculture operation

Keeping weds under controls is very crucial for achieving high yield levels. Maximum damage is caused by weeds during early growth stage of plant. Several methods can be employed to control the weeds . Hoeing should be done after first and second irrigation with a hand spade or kutto which helps to remove the crust and destroy the weeds.

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