Agroclimatic zone of wheat in India

 

India is divided in to six  wheat growing zone based on the agroclimatic conditions. These zone are mentioned as follows:

North-Western Plains Zone (NWPZ)

This zone covers part of sub-humid Satlej-Ganga Alluvial plains and arid western plains comprises Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, western Uttar Pradesh, part of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and contributes nearly 45% production from 37% of total area under wheat in India. Growing season is relatively short starting from November to April. Triticum aestivum species of wheat is dominates in this zone. 

North-Eastern Plains Zone (NEPZ)

This zone covers sub-humid Satluj-Ganga alluvial plains, humid Bengal-Assam basin, humid eastern Himalayan region and Bay of Island. The zone comprises eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and other eastern states and contributes about 24% of total production of wheat from 27% area. Crop season start from November till March/April, however, cool seasons are relatively short in this zone. Sowing is often delayed due to higher moisture conditions in the field after rice.

Central Zone (CZ)

Parts of arid western plains, semi-arid lava plateau, Central highland (north) India and sub-humid to humid eastern and south-eastern upland comprise this zone. This zone contributes nearly 17% area and 13% production. Crop is sown during October and harvested by March. Triticum durum is exclusively grown  in this zone.

Peninsular Zone (PZ)

The Deccan plateau, Western Ghats, central highlands (south) and Karnataka plateau comprise this zone. This zone contributes 6% area and 2.5% production of wheat. The crop is sown during later half of October and harvested by March. T. aestivum, T. durum and T. dicoccum are cultivated in this zone. Thermo-sensitive varieties are most preferred.

Northern Hill Zone (NHZ)

It covers the humid western Himalayan regions which includes Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Nearly 4% of area and 3% of production of the Indian wheat is contributed by this zone. Crop durations are long starting from October/November, end in May/June. On higher hills the crop is sown in May/June and harvested in October/November.

Southern-hills Zone (SZ)

The zone comprises hilly areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Wheat has a minor importance with respect to area and production. Though T. aestivum is the predominant species, T. dicoccum is also grown in some areas. Wheat is grown twice a year in this zone, i.e. May-September and October-April. Stem rust perpetuates in this zone.