Advice from IARI: Modern Techniques for Wheat Harvesting and Seed Production

22 April 2025, New Delhi: Wheat is one of the major cereal crops in India and serves as a primary source of livelihood for millions of farmers. For successful wheat cultivation, timely sowing, proper crop management, and advanced harvesting techniques are extremely important. This article provides detailed insights from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) into wheat harvesting, seed production, and related precautions to help farmers maximize their yield and ensure high-quality produce.

Wheat Harvesting: Timing and Precautions

Wheat harvesting generally begins in the month of April, especially in areas where sowing was done on time. The early morning is the most suitable time for harvesting, as the humidity is lower and the crop is easier to cut. Farmers should keep the following points in mind during harvesting:

• Moisture Content: The moisture content in wheat grains should not exceed 15–20%. If the moisture is higher, leave the harvested crop in the field for 3–4 days to dry. This helps maintain grain quality and reduces losses during threshing.
• Cutting Height: Harvest the crop 4–5 centimeters above ground level. This minimizes crop residue in the field and facilitates easier sowing of the next crop.
• Readiness Check: To check whether the crop is ready for harvesting, bite a grain between your teeth. If it makes a ‘crack’ sound, the crop is ready.
• Use of Machinery: Farmers can use combine harvesters for simultaneous cutting, threshing, and cleaning. When using a combine harvester, ensure the grain moisture is within the 15–20% range.
• Timely Harvesting: Delayed harvesting can lead to damage from birds, rodents, and other pests. Additionally, grain quality may deteriorate. Therefore, it is advisable to complete harvesting by the end of April.

Seed Production: Techniques to Maintain Quality

Many farmers are interested in producing wheat seeds. Ensuring seed quality is essential, as it directly affects the success of the next crop. The following precautions should be taken during seed production:

• Cleaning: After harvesting and threshing, clean the seeds thoroughly to remove dust, soil particles, and other impurities.
• Roguing: It is important to remove unwanted or off-type plants from the field before harvesting. This process, known as roguing, involves removing plants that do not match the desired wheat variety. Roguing should be done at least 1–2 times before harvest to maintain seed purity and quality. A single wheat ear typically contains 50–55 grains; if off-type plants remain, they may contaminate the seed lot.
• Moisture Control: After harvesting, dry the grains thoroughly to maintain seed quality. Excess moisture can damage the seeds and affect germination.

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