Wheat

Wheat

1. Picture of the wheat plant.

Introduction of Wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a staple food worldwide, providing almost 20% of the calories and 55% of the carbohydrates in the world. With nearly 2 billion people relying on it as their primary source of nutrition, wheat is a critical crop with its growth and production remarkably dependent on geographic and temperature regions. In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide regarding the genetic variation of wheat, its role in Pakistan's agricultural landscape, and the challenges of wheat production in the country.

Genetic Variation of Wheat

Genetic variation in wheat is essential to improve crops to maximize yield and overcome biotic and abiotic stresses. Mujeeb-Kazi et al. (2009) demonstrate the use of new alleles to increase variability and enhance yield. The benefits of genetic variation are enormous and often have a significant impact on wheat production in both developed and developing countries.

Wheat in Pakistan

Wheat is Pakistan's primary source of food and is considered a necessity as it is used extensively in the preparation of other foodstuffs. Wheat is mostly grown in winters and harvested during summers, primarily in the north where the climate is conducive to its growth. However, climate change is causing damage to these crops, leading to a decrease in their quality and quantity, affecting the country's ability to feed its population.

Wheat Production in Pakistan

Wheat production in Pakistan has shown variations over the years, primarily due to climate change and changes in the water supply system. Pakistan reached critical success in 2000, becoming a nation that gained independence in wheat production and producing surplus stocks for exportation. Still, since last year, Pakistan has faced wheat trouble again, causing significant concerns for the country's agricultural sector.

Irrigation Planning and Water Efficiency

The availability of water and nutrients to plants closely interacts with and affects plant yield. Fertilizers have been known to boost water efficiency by increasing yield over evapotranspiration. As crop yields increase, there is a need for a good irrigation planning approach to improve water use efficiency. Intelligent irrigation controllers (IIC) have been developed in the past decade to diminish sprinkler water systems. Land surveyors have also been elevated to conduct better soil analysis and improve water supply for irrigation.

Tensiometer Sensors for Wheat Irrigation Planning

In sprinkler systems, tensiometer sensors are now widely used for wheat irrigation planning. As water demand increases, increasing agricultural water use efficiency (WUE) becomes a priority, and relative importance depends on the level of water available on the land.

In conclusion, wheat is a critical crop whose growth and yield rely on temperature and geographic location. Pakistan's dependence on wheat production makes it imperative to implement better irrigation planning practices and management systems to improve water and nutrient availability to plants. With advancements in genetic variation techniques, crop yield variation can be maximized, leading to better production levels and ultimately ensuring a stable food supply for the country.