Wheat

Botanical name: Triticum aestivum

Family Gramineae: (Poaceae)

Parts used: Grains (Caryopsis)

Wheat is a type of grass which is cultivated all over the world. After maize and rice, wheat is the third most cultivated crop in the world. In India, Ludhiana dist. in Punjab is known as the number one wheat producer in the world. Wheat is also known as a golden crop.

Large production of wheat due to modern agriculture practises, use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, threshing machines, tractors and use of good varieties led to green revolution in Punjab. In Punjab, wheat-harvesting season starts in April. Most of the farmer harvest their crop till 14^th of April and sell it in market. The day of 14^th April is celebrated as Baisakhi (Visakhi) in Punjab. On this day, the farmers are very happy, they have sold and encashed their wheat crop. Baisakhi symbolises prosperity and happiness for farmers. 

Wheat cultivation was initially started in Fertile Crescent in Western Asia. It is believed that mankind is cultivating wheat for over 10,000 years.

Economic Importance:

1) Wheat flour is used for making chapatis, bread due two binding proteins: glutenin and gliaden. The wheat with high percentage of these proteins resulting in stickier of more tenacious dough is a stronger wheat.

2) Wheat flour is also used for the preparation fo biscuits, wafers, karah prasad, rolls, cakes, cookies etc.

3) It is used for preparation of bear and other alcoholic drinks.

4) Wheat straw is used as fodder.

5) Wheat bran is a nutritious animal feed with 14-18% proteins and vitamins.

6) Wheat straw is used to make straw carpets hats and baskets.

7. Dry wheat straw is used for packing and stuffing and as livestock feed stuff and as compost.

8. 85-90% of wheat flour is used in the form of chapaties.

9. Small amount of wheat are converted into breakfast food like wheat flakes, puffed wheat and shredded wheat.

10. It is also used for the manufacture of starch, gluten and malt.

11. Wheat starch (mawa) is used to give final finishing to some

clothes like turbans etc.

12. Some wheat straw is used for making corrugated paper.

13. Wheat flour is used to make breakfast cereal, pasta, juice and atta noodles.

14. Wheat is also used to make muffins, pastries, cakes, pizza, momos, bulgar, pancakes, porridge, Muesli, pies, cupcakes, rolls, doughnuts and gravy.

15. Although wheat is one of the main sources of dietary protein, 0.5 to 1% of the population of world has celiac disease, a disorder due to response of body's immune system to wheat protein gluten.

100-gram wheat contains

Proteins: 12.6 gram

Fat: 1.5 gram

Carbohydrate(mostly starch): 71 gram

Fibre: 12.2 gram

Iron: 3.2 gram