Wheat is considered as one key staple food crop in numerous parts of the globe. Like many other cereal crops, wheat is also affected by several biotic factors. Of these, entomological and pathological damages are the most worrying. Mineral elements have their crucial engagements in various mechanisms of the biological system, which may be physiological and/or biochemical. However, most of the wheat cultivars are micronutrient-deficit. To combat the worldwide malnutrition evil and related health hazards, bio-fortification is now considered to be the approach with the most proficiency and cost-effectiveness. This book provides a good deal of currently available information on origin, evaluation and botanical classification of wheat crop along with various agronomic, edaphic and climatic requirements for its cultivation. The book gives clear vision on present scenario regarding numerous devastating insect-pests and pathogens that attack this cereal including their management tactics. The book also gives brief idea regarding wheat seed production techniques, breeding and bio-fortification strategies with some previous studies for improvement of this significant cereal.
Mainak Barman is pursuing Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India as a CSIR Fellow. He has authored 2 books and has published several full-length research and review papers in different national and international peerreviewed journals of repute. Besides, he has contributed many book chapters and technical articles in different recognized books and newsletters, respectively; some of which are indexed in SCOPUS also. He has been awarded with “Innovative Article Award” and “Best Article Award” for his articles. He has qualified ICAR AIEEA (PG) in Plant Science, GATE (Life Science), Joint CSIR-UGC NET (Life Sciences) and has been awarded with Fellowship. He has been honoured with “Young Plant Breeder Award-2020”, “Kalp-Best Student of the Year Award-2021” and “Young Scientist Award-2021”.
Aritra Mukherjee has an excellent academic career throughout. He has completed his B.Sc. (Ag) from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India and M.Sc. (Ag) from the same university in Seed Science & Technology. He has also contributed one book chapter.
Kaushik Pramanik did his M.Sc. (Ag) in Agricultural Entomology from Institute of Agricultural Sciences, B.H.U., Varanasi, India. Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. in Agricultural Entomology Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India. He has published a good number of full length papers in prestigious peer-reviewed journals of national and international repute. He has also contributed one book chapter and one popular article.
Gaurav Verma is pursuing his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India as an ICAR-Fellow. He has published several full length research and review papers in different prestigious peer-reviewed journals of national and international repute. Besides, he has contributed many technical articles. He has been awarded with “Best Thesis Award” for his thesis. He has qualified ICAR AIEEA-PG and Ph.D. in Agronomy with the award of Fellowship. He has also been honoured with “Scientist Associate Award-2020”. His focus of research is Organic Farming and Conservation Agriculture.
Koushik Bhattacharyya is pursuing his M.Sc. (Ag) in Soil Science from Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India as an ICAR PG Fellow. He has published several review papers and book v chapters in prestigious peer-reviewed journals of national and international repute. He has qualified ICAR AIEEA– PG with the award of Fellowship. His focus of research is Soil Survey and Soil Technology.
Debanjan Mahapatra has completed his B.Sc. (Ag) from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India with first class. Currently, he is pursuing his M.Sc. (Ag) in Department of Plant Pathology and Nematology from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India as an ICAR PG Scholar.
Dr. Satish Kumar Singh joined Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar, India in the year 2007 and has been involved in teaching and research works of the University. He was a recipient of Gold Medal for securing 1st position during his M.Sc. (Ag) programme and UGC-JRF & SRF during his Ph.D. programme both pursued from Institute of Agricultural Sciences, B.H.U., Varanasi, India. His four varieties of wheat and two varieties of small millets have been released for commercial cultivation in Bihar. He has released five technologies in the field of seed science, small millets and wheat research. Dr. Singh handled eight externally funded projects as PI and Co-PI. He has visited Germany to get training on ‘Application of molecular markers in genetic resources of finger and foxtail millets at University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. Dr. Singh has published more than 60 papers in journals of international & national repute. Further, he has published several books, practical manuals, book chapters, extension booklets, pamphlets, bulletins and popular articles.
Dr. Anil Kumar Dhaka did his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Agronomy from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. He is having experience of eighteen years in teaching, extension and research in Agronomy. At present, he is working as an Assistant Professor. He is involved in teaching of Agronomy courses to UG and PG students. Under his guidance five M.Sc. and one Ph.D. students have completed their degree. He has published 75 research papers in NAAS rated reputed journals, 45 abstracts and extended summaries, 68 popular articles, 8 teaching and practical manuals, 14 radio talks and many of technical bulletins and book chapters. He has got eight best poster and oral presentation awards in different conferences and seminars held at national and international level. He is lifetime member of Indian Society of Agronomy, Association of Agro Meteorologists, Indian Journal of Weed Science, Indian Journal of Plant Physiology, Haryana Agronomist Association and Indian Society of Forage Research. He has been awarded by Haryana Agronomist Association as Best Teacher during 2018-19.
1. Introduction........................................................................................ 1
2. Origin and Evolution of Wheat ...................................................... 9
3. Botanical Description of Wheat .................................................... 17
4. Agronomic Requirements for Cultivation of Wheat ................ 31
5. Soil and Climatic Requirements for Wheat Cultivation ........... 63
6. Major Pathogens and Their Jeopardy in Wheat Cultivation ........................................................................... 89
7. Major Insect-Pests and Their Jeopardy in Wheat Cultivation .........................................................................107
8. IPM for Major Insect-Pests of Wheat .........................................131
9. Previous Studies on Wheat Improvement ................................137
10. Wheat Breeding Methods ............................................................143
11. Bio-fortification of Wheat ............................................................149
12. Seed Production Technology of Wheat .....................................157
Conclusion ......................................................................................157
Bibliography ...................................................................................169
