Harvesting
-------------

It is a practice of removal of entire plants or economics parts after maturity of crop from the field is called harvesting. Portion of the stem that is left on the field is known as stubble. The economics product may be grain, seed, leaf, root or entire plant.

Time of harvesting
If the crop is harvested early, the produce contains high moisture and more immature grains. The subsequent threshing operation is difficult. The yields will be low due to unfilled grains. It is very difficult to store the produce as shriveled grains with high moisture are prone to primary infestation of pests. The quality of grain as well as germination percentage is reduced.

Late harvesting results in shattering of grains, germination even before harvesting during rainy season, breakage of grain during processing, the quality of produce may be poor like in cotton, there may loss of produce by birds and rodents. Hence, harvesting at correct time is essential to get good quality grains and higher yield. Crop can be harvested at physiological maturity or at harvest maturity.