Wheat Data
WHEAT RESEARCH PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION.
The wheat research team has placed great emphasis on the development of high yielding varieties of wheat that are adaptable to either the rainfed or irrigated season. Further, emphasis is also placed on development of appropriate production practices for improved yields.
The main objectives of the Wheat Research Programme are:
i) To provide irrigated and rainfed wheat varieties which can suitably be grown in Zambia with minimum costs; and
ii) To develop production packages for improved wheat yields.
Specific objectives of the programme include:
1. To breed and /or select high yielding irrigated and rain-fed varieties of wheat adapted to local conditions with resistance to disease and, for rain-fed wheat, with tolerance to sub-soil acidity;
2. To breed and /or select wheat varieties of good baking quality; and
3. To investigate agronomic constraints to wheat production and provide information on optimum planting dates, seed rates, as well as on planting, weed control, and tillage methods.
IRRIGATED WHEAT RESEARCH
Most irrigated wheat research and production is carried out in the medium rainfall agro-ecological zone II. Production of wheat in this region is mostly by large commercial farmers that have access to irrigation facilities.
Research objectives for irrigated wheat include the following:
- to develop high yielding wheat varieties with resistance to stem rust, leaf rust and powdery mildew; maturity period of about 130 days, good straw strength and good seed type; and good baking quality;
- to determine economic levels of major nutrients;
- to identify major and micro-nutrient deficiencies and develop methods of correcting them;
- to develop optimum planting dates and seed rates;
- to develop the most suitable methods of tillage, planting and weed control;
- to determine the most suitable position of irrigated wheat within the overall farming system.
IRRIGATED WHEAT PRODUCTION PACKAGE
1. Varieties
The recommended Varieties are as follows,
i. Loerie II
ii. Pwele
iii. Nkanga
iv. Nseba
v. Mompolyo
vi. Nkwazi
2. Land Preparation: Land preparation can be done either by conventional or minimum tillage.
3. Planting: The seed should be drilled in rows 20cm apart and 4- 5 cm deep.
Planting dates are mid-April to June, the optimum on the plateau being the first three weeks of May. At lower lying altitude (i.e. at Kafue and Valley areas) April planting is the preferable.
4. Crop Rotation: Irrigated wheat fits well into rotation with soyabeans, potatoes, groundnuts or tobacco. Maize, cotton, sunflower are best grown after wheat as timeliness of land preparation can prove difficult.
5. Fertilization: 500 Kg/ha basal and 250 Kg/ha Urea top-dressing when grown in rotation with soyabeans which is not directly fertilized. Otherwise,on well fertilized land :basal 300 Kg-400 Kg 'C' / ha and 300 Kg/ ha Urea top dressing.
6. Pest Control: Insects pest are usually not a serious problem on irrigated wheat. Termites can, however, be a problem when relative dry conditions prevail during the growing season. In case of bird damage, bird scaring is the most effective control measure.
7. Disease Control: Diseases posing potential threat to irrigated wheat include stem rust (Pucinia graminis), leaf rust (Puccinia recondita) and powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis).Other wheat diseases that are becoming prominent during the season include alternaria spp,Bacterial leaf streak(Xanthomonas spp) and head blight (Fusarium Graminearum)
8. Weed Control: Grass weeds are generally not a problem in irrigated wheat .Control broad -leaves by hoe at two weeks after planting or as needed. Chemical control is also possible.
9. Irrigation: The total water requirement of wheat over the growing season is between 400-500 mm (4,000-5,000 m³/ha) with high regime for light soil and low regime for heavy soils. Wet the soil prior to planting. A light irrigation after seeding will aid emergence and prevent capping.
10. Liming
Soil Type pH Maintenance Lime
(Kg /ha)
Sand 4.6 500-1000
Sandy loams 4.8 1000-1500
Sandy Clays 5.0 1500-2000
11. Bird scaring: should start immediately on heading.
13. Harvesting: Harvest before the onset of rains to avoid sprouting.
14. Yield: 1510 kg (30.2 x 50 kg bags)
RAINFED WHEAT RESEARCH
Most rainfed wheat research is carried out in the high rainfall agro-ecological zone III and the crop is mostly grown by small-scale farmers. Because of the severe biotic and abiotic stresses that characterise the rain season the potential yield of wheat grown in this season is only in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 t/ha on average. Such low yields are not unique to Zambia. The world average of wheat in such environments is 1.71 t/ha.
In order to develop adapted varieties under such harsh climatic conditions, an aggressive research programme was initiated with the following objectives:
- To breed and/or select high yielding varieties of wheat adapted to local conditions with resistance to disease [(especially spot blotch (Helminthosporium sativum) and Bacterial leaf streak (Xanthomonas campestris)] and tolerance to sub-soil acidity (aluminium toxicity) where this is required. These varieties also need to have strong straw strength, a height of 100-120 cm, and should also have good bread making quality.
- to develop methods to reduce sub-soil acidity and maintain a higher base status , principally through the use of lime.
- to determine economic levels of major nutrients;
- to identify major and micro-nutrient deficiencies and develop methods of correcting them;
- to develop optimum planting dates and seed rates;
- to develop the most suitable methods of tillage, planting and weed control;
- to determine the most suitable position of rainfed wheat within the overall farming system.
RAINFED WHEAT PRODUCTION PACKAGE
1. Varieties
The recommended Varieties are:
i. Coucal
ii. Kwale
2. Land Preparation
Cultivate land at the onset of the rains then prepare the final seedbed immediately before planting. Wheat requires a fine tilth to ensure uniform distribution of the seed within the row. A fine, level, seedbed will encourage uniform emergence.
3. Variety Selection
Choose high yielding and disease resistant varieties with good baking quality.
4. Planting
4.1. Method
Hand drill or use a push-planter in rows 20 or 25 cm apart. Plant 4-5 cm deep and cover.
4.2. Date
Plant rainfed wheat in Central province between 25th December and 15th January, Mpika area in early to mid January and in Mbala area mid to late January.
5. Crop Rotation: wheat fits well into rotation with soyabeans,potatoes,groundnuts or tobacco.Maize,cotton,sunflower are best grown after wheat as timeliness of land preparation can prove difficult.
6. Fertilization
6.1. Basal Dressing.
50 Kg 'C' (or 'D' if 'C' is not available) per Lima broadcast at the of planting and incorporate into soil immediately prior to planting.
6.2. Top Dressing.
25 Kg Urea ( or 38 Kg Ammonium nitrate if nitrate is not available ) per Lima broadcast four to six weeks after planting.
7. Pest Control White grubs and termites can be a problem.These can be controlled by sevin,endosulfan or pyrethroids.American boll worm,which attacks during grain fill, can cause severe losses.Can be controlled with Sevin endosulfan or pyrethroids where necessary.
8. Disease Control: Helmonthosporium sativum and Xantomonas campestris are the major diseases of rainfed wheat. Minor ones are Fusarium spp, stem rust, leaf rust and Rhizoctonia solani
9. Weed Control weeding should be done by a hoe or chemicals at two weeks and four weeks after planting or depending on the weed pressure.
10. Liming A minimum pH (CaCl2) of 4.8 is advisable. Soils with lower pH values should be amended with lime based on soil tests. Broadcast and work lime into the soil before planting. Allow at least 10 days between liming and basal fertilizer application.
11. Bird scaring should start immediately on heading.
12. Harvesting should begin about two weeks after the crop has turned from green to yellow. Use sickles.
13. Yield: 540 kg, i.e., 10.8 x 50 kg bags. But yields of over 900 kg (18 bags) per lima have been obtained in wheat research trials and on farm scale trials in Northern Province.
