Wheat is a major cereal crop and staple food in India. It is primarily a Rabi crop grown in winter season.
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Cereal
Overview
Common Pests
Aphids (Wheat Aphid)
Symptoms:
Colonies on leaves and ears; honeydew secretion leads to sooty mold; curled leaves and stunted tillers.
Termites
Symptoms:
Damaged roots and crowns; yellowing and dying plants; dead patches visible across the field.
Common Diseases
Yellow Rust (Stripe Rust)
Symptoms:
Yellow pustules arranged in stripes along leaves; severe cases cause complete leaf death and yield loss.
Treatment:
Apply propiconazole or sulfur-based organic fungicides at first sign of infection.
Powdery Mildew
Symptoms:
White powdery fungal coating on upper leaf surfaces; reduces photosynthesis and grain filling.
Treatment:
Spray neem oil solution (3%) or dust with sulfur at appearance of symptoms.
Soil Requirements
Wheat thrives in deep, well-drained fertile loamy soil rich in organic matter. Heavy waterlogged clay or waterlogged conditions will damage the crop.