Top 5 Wheat Varieties for January Sowing to Get Better Yield

Best late-sown wheat varieties recommended by ICAR with yield, benefits, and farming tips

Wheat is one of the most important rabi crops in India, and timely sowing plays a major role in deciding its yield. However, every year, many farmers are unable to sow wheat in November or December due to reasons like delayed harvesting of sugarcane and paddy, lack of irrigation, or unfavorable weather conditions. For such farmers, January sowing becomes the only option.

January sowing is often considered challenging because the crop gets less time to grow before rising temperatures start affecting grain filling. But the good news is that farmers do not need to worry anymore. With the right selection of wheat varieties and proper farming practices, it is still possible to achieve good yields and earn better profits even with late sowing.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed and recommended several wheat varieties that perform well under late-sown conditions. These varieties are designed to mature faster, tolerate heat better, and give stable yields even with limited water availability.

In this article, we will discuss the top 5 wheat varieties suitable for sowing in January, their key features, expected yields, and the regions where they perform best. We will also share important farming tips to help farmers get better results from late-sown wheat.

Also Read: Wheat Farming Tips: Easy and Proven Ways to Increase Tillers and Get a Bumper Wheat Yield

Why January Sowing of Wheat Happens in India

In many parts of the country, especially North and Central India, wheat sowing gets delayed due to unavoidable reasons. Sugarcane harvesting often continues till the end of December, while paddy harvesting in eastern states extends into late December or even January. Weather-related delays and labor shortages also add to the problem.

As a result, a large number of farmers are forced to sow wheat in January. While late sowing reduces the crop duration, modern wheat varieties have made it possible to overcome this limitation. By choosing varieties that are suitable for late sowing, farmers can still get satisfactory yields and reduce losses.

ICAR-Recommended Wheat Varieties for Late Sowing

ICAR and state agricultural universities have developed wheat varieties that are specifically suitable for late sowing conditions. These varieties mature faster, tolerate higher temperatures, and perform well even with fewer irrigations.

Below are the top 5 wheat varieties that farmers can safely sow in January for better yield and income.

PBW 550 Wheat Variety

PBW 550 is a popular wheat variety among farmers who sow wheat after sugarcane harvesting. It has been specially found suitable for late sowing conditions and performs well even when irrigation is limited.

One of the biggest advantages of PBW 550 is its ability to give stable yields with less water. This makes it a good choice for areas facing water scarcity or irregular irrigation schedules.

Farmers can expect an average yield of 22 to 25 quintals per hectare under late sowing conditions. The crop establishes well even when sown in January and shows good tolerance to stress.

Key Benefits of PBW 550

• Suitable for sowing after sugarcane

• Performs well under limited water conditions

• Stable yield in late sowing

• Easy crop management

DBW 234 Wheat Variety

DBW 234 is considered a reliable and farmer-friendly variety for late sowing. Agricultural experts recommend this variety because it gives good results even with limited irrigation and changing weather conditions.

This variety matures in about 126 to 134 days, making it ideal for January sowing. Under favorable conditions, farmers can achieve yields of 35 to 45 quintals per hectare. DBW 234 is also known for its good disease resistance, which reduces the risk of crop loss and lowers the cost of plant protection.

Due to these qualities, DBW 234 is gaining popularity among farmers in many North Indian states.

Key Benefits of DBW 234

• Short maturity period

• Good yield potential under late sowing

• Better resistance to common wheat diseases

• Suitable for limited irrigation

HD 3086 Wheat Variety

HD 3086 is one of the high-yielding wheat varieties recommended for several major wheat-growing states. Farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh can grow this variety successfully even if sowing is slightly delayed.

The crop is ready for harvesting in about 140 to 145 days. Under favorable soil and irrigation conditions, HD 3086 produces high yields. One of its standout features is its excellent grain quality, which ensures strong market demand and better prices for farmers.

This variety is suitable for farmers who want both high yield and good market returns.

Key Benefits of HD 3086

• High-yielding potential

• Excellent grain quality

• Good market demand

• Suitable for major wheat-growing states

DBW 316 Wheat Variety

DBW 316 is a highly recommended wheat variety for the eastern parts of India, where wheat sowing is often delayed due to late paddy harvesting. ICAR has recommended this variety for eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.

This variety performs exceptionally well under late sowing conditions and has the potential to yield up to 68 quintals per hectare under good management. Another important feature of DBW 316 is its high nutritional value. It contains higher levels of protein and zinc, which not only improve grain quality but also help farmers get better prices in the market.

DBW 316 is a strong option for farmers looking for both productivity and quality.

Key Benefits of DBW 316

• Ideal for eastern India

• Very high yield potential

• Rich in protein and zinc

• Better market value

HI 1634 Wheat Variety

HI 1634 is a suitable wheat variety for farmers in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. This variety can be sown on time or slightly late and is especially useful for January sowing.

The most important feature of HI 1634 is its better tolerance to heat, which is very important for late-sown wheat crops. As temperatures rise earlier in such cases, heat tolerance helps protect grain filling and yield.

Farmers can achieve an average yield of 51.6 quintals per hectare, making it a profitable choice under late sowing conditions.

Key Benefits of HI 1634

• Better heat tolerance

• Suitable for central and western India

• Good yield under late sowing

• Stable performance

Comparison Table of Top Wheat Varieties for January Sowing

Also Read: 5 Deadly Wheat Diseases That Can Destroy Your Crop – Learn Their Symptoms & Best Protection Methods

3 Important Tips for Sowing Wheat in January

Late sowing requires careful management to compensate for the reduced growing period. Farmers should follow these important tips to get better yields from January-sown wheat.

Pay Attention to Seed Rate and Sowing Depth

When wheat is sown late, plants get less time to produce tillers. To overcome this, farmers should use a slightly higher seed rate than normal. A seed rate of 125 to 140 kg per hectare is recommended for January sowing. Sowing should be done at a depth of 4 to 5 cm to ensure proper germination and strong root development.

Do the First Irrigation on Time

For late-sown wheat, the first irrigation is extremely important. Farmers should ensure the first irrigation is done within 18 to 20 days of sowing. Timely irrigation helps strengthen the root system and increases tillering, which directly contributes to higher yields.

Use a Balanced Fertilizer

January-sown wheat requires proper nutrient management. Nitrogen demand is usually higher, so farmers should apply urea in 2 to 3 split doses based on soil conditions. Along with nitrogen, the use of micronutrients like zinc and sulfur helps improve crop growth, grain quality, and overall yield.

Also Read: National Farmers Day 2025: Why is Kisan Diwas Celebrated on 23 December? Full Story and Significance

CMV360 Says

January sowing of wheat may seem challenging, but with the right planning, it can still be profitable. Choosing the correct wheat variety is the most important step for late sowing. Varieties like PBW 550, DBW 234, HD 3086, DBW 316, and HI 1634 have been specially developed to perform well under late-sown conditions.

These varieties tolerate limited water, higher temperatures, and shorter growing periods. When combined with scientific farming practices such as proper seed rate, timely irrigation, and balanced fertilization, farmers can achieve good yields and better income even with delayed sowing. Late sowing, when managed well, can truly be turned into an opportunity for farmers.