WH 1309: High-Yield Wheat Variety for Late-Sown Farmers

Krishi Dunia

• 08 Oct, 2025 01:48 PM IST ,
• Updated Wed, 08 Oct 2025 05:18 PM

Scientists at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (CCSHAU) have developed a new wheat variety, WH 1309, designed specifically to benefit farmers who sow late. This variety is heat-tolerant and performs well even in regions affected by climate change, offering stable and high yields.

Ideal for Late-Sown Areas

In Haryana, due to delayed paddy harvest, waterlogging, and irregular weather, wheat sowing is delayed in 15–20% of cultivated areas. Farmers in these regions often face reduced yields. With the introduction of WH 1309, sowing can now be done up to the first week of January, ensuring good harvests.

According to Prof. B.R. Kamboj, Vice-Chancellor of CCSHAU, this variety can withstand the March heat, preventing negative impacts of rising temperatures on wheat production.

Yield Performance of WH 1309

• Average yield under irrigated conditions: 55.4 quintals per hectare
• Maximum recorded yield: 64.5 quintals per hectare
• On-farm trials: Average yield 54.3 quintals per hectare — approximately 12.7% higher than the check variety WH 1124 (48.2 quintals/ha)
• Late-sown crops in January: 40–50 quintals per hectare

Key Features of WH 1309

• Disease-resistant: Effective against yellow rust, brown rust, and other major wheat diseases
• Heat-tolerant: Handles March heat without affecting yield
• Suitable for organic farming and saline soils
• Long spikes, thick and shiny grains
• Lodging resistance: Plant height only 98 cm, minimizing crop fall
• Growth duration: Spikes emerge in 83 days; crop matures in 123 days
• Grain quality: 13.2% protein, 81.9 kg/hl hectoliter weight, 54 ml sedimentation value — ideal for making chapati

Sowing Time and Seed Rate

According to Dr. Rajbir Garg, Director of Research:

• Recommended sowing period: 1–20 December
• Seed rate: 125 kg per hectare

Fertilizer Recommendations for Maximum Yield

• Nitrogen: 150 kg/ha
• Phosphorus: 60 kg/ha
• Potash: 30 kg/ha
• Zinc sulfate: 25 kg/ha

Benefits for Farmers

• Perfect for late-sown wheat
• Short-duration, high-yielding
• Offers protection against heat and diseases
• Ensures stable production even under climate stress
• Produces thick, nutritious grains suitable for chapati

Conclusion

The WH 1309 wheat variety is a reliable and profitable option for farmers sowing late. Its resilience to climate change and high-yield potential make it a dependable choice for achieving stable income and quality grain production.