GW-173 (Wheat Seeds)
GW-173 (Gujarat Wheat 173) is a popular high-yielding bread wheat variety released by SDAU, Sardar Krushinagar in 2002. Recommended for timely-sown, irrigated conditions in central and western India, it features bold amber grains, good chapati quality and strong resistance to rusts.
Key Features
- Released in 2002 by SDAU, Sardar Krushinagar — widely adopted variety in central and western India
- Yield potential 45-55 q/ha under timely sowing with full irrigation
- Bold amber grains preferred for chapati and atta making
- Test weight ~40-42 g per 1000 grains with good flour recovery
- Plant height ~95-100 cm — sturdy stem with moderate lodging tolerance
- Resistant to leaf rust (brown rust) and stem rust (black rust)
- Moderately resistant to Karnal bunt and loose smut
- Optimum maturity ~115-120 days under timely sowing
- Adapts well across Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra and Rajasthan plains
- Responsive to balanced NPK and timely critical irrigations
Growing Information
Growing Conditions
Performs best in cool rabi conditions (15-25°C) on well-drained medium black or alluvial soils. Requires 4-5 irrigations for full yield potential.
Yield Estimates
45-55 q/ha under timely sown irrigated conditions; performs well across central and western Indian plains with good management.
Packaging & Usage
Seed rate: 100-125 kg/ha for line sowing. Available in 20 kg woven sacks; certified seed supplied as per demand.
Key Points
Key Points
- Released in 2002 by SDAU, Sardar Krushinagar — widely adopted variety in central and western India
- Yield potential 45-55 q/ha under timely sowing with full irrigation
- Bold amber grains preferred for chapati and atta making
- Test weight ~40-42 g per 1000 grains with good flour recovery
- Plant height ~95-100 cm — sturdy stem with moderate lodging tolerance
- Resistant to leaf rust (brown rust) and stem rust (black rust)
- Moderately resistant to Karnal bunt and loose smut
- Optimum maturity ~115-120 days under timely sowing
- Adapts well across Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra and Rajasthan plains
- Responsive to balanced NPK and timely critical irrigations
Agronomy & Management
Soil
Best on well-drained medium black or alluvial loam soils with pH 6.5-7.5. Avoid highly saline, sodic or waterlogged fields.
Water & Irrigation
Critical irrigations at CRI (20-25 DAS), tillering (40-45 DAS), flowering (80-85 DAS) and grain filling (100-105 DAS). 4-5 total irrigations recommended for full yield.
Sowing
Preparation
Two ploughings followed by planking for fine, firm seedbed. Apply 8-10 t/ha FYM during land preparation.
Sowing Depth
4-5 cm depth for uniform emergence.
Spacing
Line sowing at 20-22 cm row spacing.
Sowing Methods
- •Line sowing with seed drill (preferred)
- •Broadcasting followed by harrowing
- •Zero-tillage after rice/cotton where compatible
Sowing Time
Seed Rate
100 kg/ha for timely line sowing; 125 kg/ha for late or broadcast sowing
Harvesting
Harvest at physiological maturity when grains are hard and straw is golden-yellow. Combine harvest at 18-20% grain moisture; avoid delays to prevent shattering.
Post-Cutting Activities
Sun-dry grain to ~12% moisture before storage. Clean and grade before bagging; treat with neem-based protectants for long storage.
Fertilizer
Apply 120:60:40 kg NPK/ha. Full P, K and half N basal; remaining N split at first and second irrigations. 25 kg ZnSO4/ha basal in zinc-deficient soils. Foliar 2% urea at heading for protein boost.
Weed Control
Pre-emergence Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 3.3 L/ha within 1-2 days of sowing. Post-emergence Sulfosulfuron 75 WG @ 25 g a.i./ha at 25-30 DAS for Phalaris minor. Hand weeding once at 30-35 DAS.
Pest & Disease Management
Major diseases: leaf rust, stem rust, Karnal bunt. Seed treatment with Carboxin 75 WP @ 2.5 g/kg + Tebuconazole 2 DS @ 1.25 g/kg. Spray Propiconazole 25 EC @ 1 mL/L at boot/heading. For aphids: Imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 100 mL/ha.
