In case of wheat, if water is available for only one irrigation, then it should be applied at –

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Crown root initiation stage

Explanation:
• The Crown Root Initiation (CRI) stage is considered the most critical stage for irrigation in wheat crops.
• This stage occurs approximately 21 days after sowing (DAS) and is the period when the transition from seminal roots to crown roots takes place.
• If moisture is deficient during this stage, the development of crown roots is severely restricted, leading to a significant reduction in tillering and ultimately a drastic drop in grain yield.
• Providing irrigation at this point ensures proper establishment of the secondary root system, which supports the plant's growth for the rest of its lifecycle.
• Agronomists recommend that if a farmer has access to only one irrigation, it must be prioritized for the CRI stage above all others.

Information Booster:
• The critical stages for irrigation in wheat in descending order of priority are: CRI > Booting > Flowering > Milk stage > Tillering > Dough stage.
• If two irrigations are available, they should be applied at the CRI and Flowering stages.
• If three irrigations are available, they should be applied at the CRI, Late Jointing, and Milk stages.

Additional Knowledge:
• Boot leaf stage (Option A): The stage where the uppermost leaf (flag leaf) expands and the head begins to swell within the sheath.
• Jointing stage (Option B): The stage when the plant's stem starts to elongate and the first node is visible.
• Dough stage (Option D): The final stage of grain filling where the grain consistency changes from milky to a dough-like state before ripening.