Field Crops> Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)> Field Preparation

As a general rule wheat crop requires a well-pulverised but compact seed-bed for good and uniform germination. In irrigated areas wheat is usually sown after Kharif crops like maize, paddy, jowar, bajra, urd, moong etc. After the harvest of previous crop, the field should be ploughed with disc or mouldboard plough. Wheare tractor is available one deep ploughing followed by two to three harrowigns with disc or tines and 2-3 planking should be given to prepare a well pulverized seed bed. Where bullocks are the source of power, deep ploughing followed by two to three harrowings or four to five inter-cross ploughing with local plough should be done. Planking should be done after each ploughing. Avoid powderly seed bed. One pre-sowing irrigation 7-10 days before seeding is necessary to ensure good germination. In case where previous crop was sugarcane, toria, arhar etc., the pre-sowing irrigation for wheat may be given in the previous standing crop so that field may become available for its preparation and sowing, soon after the harcvest of the previous crop. One light cultivation and leveling is required before sowing. Delay in sowing causes drastic reduction in yield in late sown wheat. In certain areas crops are attacked by white ants and gujhia weevil. To protect young seedlings form white ants and guhhia weevil mix Aldrin 5 per cent dust in soil at the rate of 25 kg per hectare at the time of last ploughing.

In rainfed areas field preparation should be done with great care as conservation of moisture is dependent on it. Fields are usually prepared by giving one deep ploughing with iron plough followed by two to three times with local plough and planking. In these areas ploughings should be done in the evening time and furrows should be kept open whole night to absorb some moisture from dew. Planking should be done after each ploughing early in the morning. All the possible efforts should be made to conserve moisture for the sowing of wheat crop.