Irrigation and scheduling

Irrigations should be done at right time and in adequate quantity. Recommended time of irrigation is as below:

    1^st Irrigation : At crown root stage i.e. 20-25 days after sowing

   2^nd Irrigation : At tillering stage i.e. 40-45 days after sowing

   3rd Irrigation : At node formation stage i.e. 60-65 days after sowing

   4th Irrigation : At flowering stage i.e. 80-85 days after sowing

   5th Irrigation : At milk formation stage i.e. 100-105 days after sowing

   6th Irrigation : At grain filling stage i.e. 115-120 days after sowing

In case of loam and heavy loam soils, 4 irrigation at the following stages can give good yield: 

  1^st Irrigation  : 20-25 days after sowing

 2^nd Irrigation : 30 days after 1^st irrigation

 3rd Irrigation : 30 days after 2nd irrigation

 4th Irrigation : 20-25 days after 3rd irrigation

In case of limited irrigation resources:

1. If only three irrigations are available then it should be applied at the crown root stage, spike emergence and milk formation stage.

2. If only two irrigations are available then apply these at the crown root stage and flowering stage.

3. If only one irrigation is affordable then irrigate the crop at crown root stage.

Give adequate emphasis on the following three points while irrigating the wheat crop:

• 1. For proper distribution of irrigation water the field should be properly leveled and slight slope should be given in one direction.
• 2. After sowing, field should be divided in equal size of beds which helps ensure proper distribution of irrigation water.
• 3. In case of light and heavy soils, irrigation depth should be 6 cm and 8 cm, respectively.