Wheat is the main cereal crop in India. In respect of area and production it occupies the second place, being exceed only by rice. Though the maximum acreage and production of wheat is Uttar Pradesh, Punjab gives the highest average yield per hectare (2715 kg) followed by Delhi (2685 kg). However, the average wheat yield is only 1574 kg per hectare in India which is much lower compared to other nations of the world.

Wheat is mainly a Rabi (winter) season crop in India.

Good quality and productivity of wheat is possible only if a locally adapted, high yielding disease resistant variety is chosen for cultivation in a particular area. A number of dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties have been available in the market for cultivation in different agro-climatic zones. Selection of varieties depends mainly on the following factors: