As one of the most important cereal crops worldwide, wheat is grown for its nutritional value and versatility in food production. There are several varieties of wheat crops, each with different planting, growth, and harvesting times. One category of wheat crops that is becoming increasingly popular among farmers is the ‘late varieties’ of wheat crop.
Late varieties of wheat crop, as the name implies, are crops that are planted later in the growing season compared to the traditional or early varieties of wheat. These crops are planted after the optimal germination window has passed and are harvested in late summer or early fall.
There are several reasons why farmers are opting for late varieties of wheat. First, late varieties of wheat crops are more resistant to diseases and pests. This is because they are planted when the ideal climate conditions for these pests have already passed. Second, late varieties of wheat offer better yields than early varieties, particularly in regions where the rains come later in the growing season.
Another advantage of late varieties of wheat crops is that they can serve as cover crops. Cover crops are crops that are grown after the main crop has been harvested to protect the soil from erosion and improve its quality. Due to their late planting and growth period, late varieties of wheat can help farmers achieve sustainable agriculture. They help break up compacted soil, prevent nutrient depletion, minimize water runoff, and provide organic matter to the soil.
Different types of late varieties of wheat crops have also been developed to suit different soil types and climatic conditions. Some of the popular late varieties of wheat include hard red winter wheat, soft red winter wheat, hard white winter wheat, and soft white winter wheat. These winter wheat crops typically require minimal winter maintenance because they go dormant during the winter.
In conclusion, late varieties of wheat crops are becoming increasingly popular among farmers due to their resilience, high yields, and contribution to sustainable agriculture. Although they require different planting and harvesting times and methods, their benefits to the soil, and the environment make them a worthwhile investment.