Field management of wheat seedlings

During the seedling stage of wheat , its growth characteristics are manifested in the expansion of leaves, the generation of tillers, the development of the root system and the initial differentiation of young ears. From the perspective of yield formation, this stage has a decisive influence on determining the number of ears. Therefore, the focus of field management is to ensure the integrity and even distribution of seedlings, while striving to promote the robust growth and early development of seedlings, strengthen the root system, increase tillering, and lay a solid foundation for the stable growth of wheat in the middle stage of growth. Let’s learn about field management of wheat seedlings.

1. Adjust the density of seedlings

When wheat seedlings emerge, there may be missing seedlings, broken rows or uneven density. In order to ensure the number and uniform distribution of seedlings, germinated and white seeds should be prepared in advance. After germination, replanting or density adjustment should be carried out in time to ensure uniform seedlings.

2. Timely fertilization promotes growth

After the wheat seedlings reach the three-leaf stage, the nutrients in the endosperm are basically exhausted and they begin to grow relying on their own photosynthesis. At this time, applying seedling fertilizer can promote the growth of strong seedlings, increase low-position tillers, and facilitate the differentiation of young spikelets. For late-sown wheat, the yield-increasing effect of this early fertilization is particularly significant. The amount of fertilizer applied should be determined based on soil fertility, the type and amount of base fertilizer, and seedling condition indicators, and usually accounts for about one-third of the total amount of fertilizer applied. It mainly uses human and animal manure and quick-acting nitrogen fertilizer, and is combined with an appropriate amount of phosphorus fertilizer. If the base fertilizer is insufficient, the tillering fertilizer (winter fertilizer) should be mainly composed of decomposed organic fertilizer , and combined with inter-tillage and soil cultivation, the fertilizer should be buried in the root zone, and the effect of winter fertilizer in spring should be utilized at the same time.

3. Chemical weed control

For fields where effective closed weeding has not been carried out or the closed weeding effect is poor, appropriate herbicides should be selected according to the weed types for chemical weeding. At the end of tillering, control fertilizer and water appropriately to prevent excessive ineffective tillering and avoid the group being too large. For groups that grow too vigorously, this measure can help accelerate the polarization of tillers, improve inter-plant light, and achieve high-yield goals.

4. Control the vigorous growth before winter

Excessive wheat growth before winter is usually caused by sowing too early, sowing too much or the fertility of the wheat field is too high. This situation can be divided into three types:

The first type: good soil fertility, large amount of fertilizer applied, suitable moisture conditions, and early sowing lead to vigorous growth of wheat seedlings, many tillers, and fast growth. By late November, the total tiller number per acre may have reached or exceeded the standard. If not controlled, the number may exceed one million before winter, and the plants will be tall with broad leaves. A warm winter may lead to continued vigorous growth after the New Year, while a cold winter may cause severe frost damage.

For this type of wheat field, measures should be taken as early as possible to control the growth rate. If it is found that the growth is too strong or there are too many tillers, deep tillage should be carried out to cut off the roots, generally about 10 cm deep. If the wheat seedlings still grow vigorously after deep hoeing, do it again every 7 to 10 days.

The second type: The soil fertility is acceptable, seed fertilizer is applied, and there are too many basic seedlings and sowing is early, resulting in vigorous seedlings. This kind of vigorous seedlings are usually false vigorous seedlings. If they are not managed before winter, they may gradually decline into weak seedlings before or after wintering. Such vigorous seedlings should be thinned out, and appropriately suppressed or deep-hoeed. When watering with frozen water, apply appropriate amount of fertilizer (generally 15 kg of ammonium carbon per mu). They can be transformed into strong seedlings after a year.

The third type: The soil fertility is average, but because the sowing amount is too large and there are too many basic seedlings, the group is large, the seedlings are crowded, and they grow too fast. For such vigorous seedlings, deep tillage is not advisable. Instead, the seedlings should be thinned out in time to establish a suitable group structure and promote individual development. In addition, appropriate amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus quick-acting fertilizers should be supplemented with watering to make up for the excessive consumption of soil nutrients.

The above are the key points of management techniques in the wheat seedling stage. Attention should be paid to the above field management details in the wheat seedling stage so that there will be good growth in the later stage.