Key points for wheat field management in February

February includes two solar terms, namely Lichun and Yushui. From a meteorological perspective, the climate changes unpredictably during Lichun and Yushui, and the temperature fluctuates between cold and warm periods. Coupled with regional differences, this poses certain challenges to crop management. Here are the key points for wheat field management in February.

1. Suppress and hoe, increase temperature and soil moisture, and promote early greening

Compaction in early spring can seal cracks, compact the loosened soil caused by freezing and thawing in winter, and increase temperature and retain moisture. Combine suppression with hoeing, first suppress and then hoe, to reduce water evaporation, increase ground temperature, promote root growth and early greening of wheat seedlings, and at the same time remove weeds in the field.

2. Strengthen fertilizer and water management to promote weak seedlings to become strong and vigorous seedlings

For wheat fields that have not been watered for the winter or where severe drought has affected the greening of wheat, we should resist drought and protect seedlings, water them and replenish moisture to create favorable conditions for greening and jointing. For weak seedlings with insufficient tillers, yellowing leaves, and wheat fields with severe frost damage, timely fertilization should be combined with irrigation. Generally, 3 kg to 5 kg of diammonium phosphate and 6 kg to 8 kg of urea should be applied per mu, and the transformation and upgrading of the seedlings should be promoted by applying jointing fertilizer according to the seedlings' condition. Control is the main approach for vigorous seedlings. Deep hoeing to cut off roots or chemical suppression should be used from the greening stage to the rising stage to reduce the risk of frost damage and inhibit the growth of tillers. Fertilizer and water management in spring should be postponed, and top dressing and watering should be carried out in the middle and late stages of jointing. Generally, 8 kg to 10 kg of urea should be applied per mu. For wheat fields that are too vigorous before winter and lack fertilizer after greening, top dressing and watering should be carried out in the early and middle stages of jointing. Wheat fields with sprinkler irrigation conditions can adopt micro-drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation.

3. Pay attention to weather changes and prevent early spring frost damage and late spring cold

Pay attention to the weather forecast and take preventive measures against "late spring cold". Before the arrival of cold weather, wheat fields with loose soil and those that have not yet jointed should be compacted to fill soil cracks, prevent wind and moisture loss, and prevent early spring frost damage. For wheat fields that lack moisture, irrigate them in advance to regulate soil temperature and near-ground microclimate, buffer the effects of cooling, and prevent frost damage. For wheat that has already jointed or formed heading, potassium dihydrogen phosphate and growth regulators can be sprayed on the leaves to reduce the impact of low temperatures. Two to three days after the cold wave, investigate the freezing condition of young ears and apply fertilizers in different categories to remediate the frost-damaged wheat fields. For wheat fields where the death rate of stems, tillers and young ears is 10%-30%, apply about 5 kg of urea per mu; for wheat fields where the death rate is 30%-50%, apply 7 kg-10 kg of urea per mu; for wheat fields where the death rate is more than 50%, apply 12 kg-15 kg of urea per mu to promote recovery of growth.

4. Green prevention and control of pests, diseases and weeds

As the temperature rises, wheat rust, powdery mildew, aphids, wheat spiders and weeds have entered their peak periods, especially drought is conducive to the occurrence of aphids, wheat spiders, etc. For wheat stripe rust, if you find any one, you should prevent and control it all over the place. It’s better to prevent it early and prevent it in a small scale. For wheat fields that have not been chemically controlled before winter, choose a sunny day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. after the average daily temperature stabilizes above 6°C and before the wheat emerges, select appropriate herbicides according to the types of weeds in the field and carry out chemical control. Strictly follow the requirements and strictly prohibit repeated (repeated) spraying, multiple spraying, and missed spraying to avoid pesticide damage.

5. Strengthen field management and prevent meteorological disasters

In spring, it is necessary to dredge the ditches inside and outside the fields, clear the ditches and till the fields in time to ensure smooth drainage, make sure there is no water accumulation in the ditches, and keep the fields dry after the rain to prevent waterlogging. We should also pay attention to drought prevention after spring, and irrigate the plants during jointing and ear formation according to the soil moisture conditions. To prevent the occurrence of "late spring cold", we should proactively prepare plans to prevent frost damage. Before the temperature drops, we should irrigate the moisture-deficient fields in time to adjust the microclimate near the ground, improve soil moisture conditions, reduce temperature fluctuations, and prevent low temperature frost damage. For wheat that has been damaged by frost, we can spray foliar fertilizers , brassinolide, etc. to promote recovery of growth.

That’s it