WHEAT

INTRODUCTION

Wheat, cereal plant of genus triticum of the family gramineae (grass family), is a major food and an important commodity on the world grain market.

HISTORY

Wheat was one of the first grains domesticated by humans. It’s cultivation began in the neolithic period.

Bread wheat is known to have been grown in the nile valley by 5000 B.C., and its apparently later cultivation in other regions (E.G., the indus and euphrates valleies by 4000 B.C., China by 2500 B.C., and England by 2000 B.C.) indicate that it has spread from Mediterranean centers of domestication.

The civilizations of west Asia and of the European people have largely been based on wheat. Since agriculture began, wheat has been the chief source of bread in the middle east, and Europe.

VARIETIES AND USES

Wheat is an annual plant. For its early growth, wheat thrives best in cool weather. Among the more ancient, and now less frequently cultivated species enkorn, emmer, and spelt can be named.

Modern wheat varieties are usually classified as winter wheats (fall planted), and spring wheat. Flour from hard wheat contains a higher percentage of gluten, and is used to make bread and fine cakes.

The hardest kernel wheat is durum ; its flour is used in the manufacture of macaroni, Spagetti, and other pasta products.

White and soft wheat varieties are paler and have starchy kernels ; their flour is preferred for piecrust, biscuits, and breakfast foods.

CLASSIFICATION

Wheat is classified in the division magnoliphyta, class liliopsida, order cyperales, family poaceae (gramineae).

DISEASES AND PESTS

Wheat is susceptible to many pests and diseases, the more destructive include, bunt/ smut, the hessian fly, and chinch bug.

All wheat producing countries carry on breeding experiments to improve existing varieties or to obtain new ones with such dominant characteristics as disease resistance, increased hardiness under specific enviornments, and greater yield.

PRODUCTION

Major wheat producers are CHINA, EU, USA, INDIA, RUSSIA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, ARGENTINA, and EAST EUROPE..