A Review on the Influence of Cultivation Practices on Wheat Production in India

The cultivation of wheat in India, a staple crop vital to national food security, faces significant challenges due to changing climatic conditions and evolving agricultural practices. This review paper synthesizes recent research on the impact of planting practices on wheat cultivation in India, highlighting how these practices influence productivity, resource use efficiency and sustainability. Key findings indicate that timely sowing, especially avoiding late planting, substantially enhances grain yield by mitigating heat stress during critical growth stages. Innovative planting methods such as zero tillage, bed planting and System of Wheat Intensification (SWI) demonstrate higher yields, better water and nutrient use efficiencies and reduced labor and input costs compared to conventional tillage. Resource conservation technologies like raised bed planting conserve water and nutrients, contributing to sustainable rice-wheat cropping systems amid soil degradation issues. Socio-economic research underlines adoption barriers, including labour scarcity and mechanization needs, suggesting policy initiatives and extension services, such as information, can enhance technology uptake and advisory support play a crucial role in improving farmers’ awareness and adoption of improved wheat cultivation practices. Additionally, residue management practices impact soil health, influencing wheat performance. While most studies focus on the Indo-Gangetic Plains, findings have broader implications for diverse agro-climatic zones in India. Overall, improved planting practices, combined with agronomic and socio-economic interventions, hold promise to sustain wheat production, secure farmer livelihoods and address challenges posed by climate change in India’s wheat-growing regions.