Wheat Sowing Guide: Best Time, Seed Rate & Variety by Region

Updated 2026-07-10 · Crop guides

Wheat yield is decided in the first two weeks — get the sowing window, seed rate and variety right and the crop almost manages itself. Here is what matters most.

Best sowing time

Timely sowing is the single biggest free yield booster. In the north Indian plains, the ideal window for irrigated wheat is roughly early-to-mid November. Sowing late (into December) cuts yield sharply because the crop runs into heat during grain-filling. If you must sow late, switch to a short-duration, heat-tolerant variety and raise the seed rate slightly.

Seed rate and sowing depth

• Seed rate: about 100 kg/ha for timely sown, normal-grain wheat (increase for late sowing or bold-seeded varieties).
• Depth: 5–6 cm; too deep delays and weakens emergence.
• Spacing: rows about 20–22 cm apart. Use a seed drill for even placement and better stand.
• Treat the seed with a recommended fungicide/biofertiliser before sowing to prevent seed- and soil-borne disease.

Choosing a variety

Match the variety to your conditions, not your neighbour’s:

• Irrigated, timely sown — high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties recommended for your state.
• Rainfed / limited irrigation — drought-tolerant, shorter-duration varieties that finish before the soil dries.
• Late sown — heat-tolerant, early-maturing varieties.

Always prefer a recent, certified variety notified for your zone — your local agriculture university or extension officer has the current shortlist.

First irrigation and weeds

The crown-root-initiation stage (around 20–25 days after sowing) is the most critical irrigation — do not miss it. Control weeds early, within the first month, because wheat competes poorly with weeds while young.