Key points of high-yield cultivation technology of winter wheat

Winter wheat, also known as winter wheat or autumn-sown wheat, is a crop that is sown in autumn and matures and is harvested in spring and summer after wintering. The most notable feature of winter wheat is its strong cold resistance. It can grow in relatively low temperatures and can even withstand low temperatures in winter. Let’s learn the key points of high-yield cultivation technology of winter wheat.

1. Land consolidation

Choose fields where the previous crop was not wheat or barley, and the soil fertility should be medium to high, the terrain should be flat, the soil layer should be deep, it should have strong water and fertilizer storage capabilities, and the drip irrigation system should be complete. The soil organic matter content is not less than 1%, the available nitrogen content exceeds 60ppm, the available phosphorus content exceeds 15ppm, and the total salt content is controlled below 0.3%.

2. Preparation before sowing

2.1 Land preparation

After the previous crop is harvested, the land should be prepared immediately to meet the standards of "neat, flat, loose, fine and clean", ensuring that the soil is "loose on the upper layer and compact on the lower layer", and remove residual film, straw and other debris in the field in preparation for sowing.

2.2 Applying basal fertilizer

2 tons of organic fertilizer , 25 kg of diammonium phosphate, 8 kg of urea and 5 kg of potassium sulfate were applied per mu, the tillage depth was 25 cm, and the fertilizers were applied into the soil at the same time as the soil turning operation.

2.3 Preparation of sowing equipment

Use a 24-row grain seeder and adjust the row spacing according to the layout of one machine and six tubes for wheat (drip irrigation tape spacing 60 cm). Make sure the seed drill has all the necessary tools for compacting and crushing the soil.

2.4 Seed treatment

Select seeds that meet the GB4404.1-2008 standard and mix them with 23% penthazole·foam suspension seed dressing to prevent diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, and smut.

2.5 Drip irrigation tape selection

Choose a drip irrigation tape with moderate flow and uniform dripping, and select the appropriate dripper spacing and drip volume according to the soil texture. For sandy loam, the distance between emitters should be 20 cm and the drip rate should be 3.0-3.2 L/hour; for loam, the distance between emitters should be 20-25 cm and the drip rate should be 2.6-3.0 L/hour; for clay, the distance between emitters should be 25-30 cm and the drip rate should be 2.0-2.6 L/hour.

3. Seeding specifications

3.1 Timing of sowing

September, when the average day and night temperature is stable at 16-18℃, is the best sowing period for winter wheat.

3.2 Seeding rate

The sowing amount is determined based on the basic number of seedlings per mu, 350,000 to 450,000 plants, and the thousand-grain weight of seeds, which is generally 22 to 25 kilograms.

3.3 Seeding quality

The sowing depth should be controlled at 3-4 cm. Arrange branch (auxiliary) pipes and connect pipe heads in time after sowing. To prevent the drip irrigation tape from being blown by the wind, it is usually necessary to shallowly apply 1-2 cm. The time interval between sowing and watering should not exceed 3 days.

3.4 Seeding method

Before sowing, a drip tape laying device is installed on the seeder to realize the integrated operation of sowing, fertilizing and drip tape laying. When sowing, fertilizers and seeds are loaded in separate boxes, with 8 kg of diammonium phosphate as seed fertilizer per mu.

4. Drip irrigation water

Adopt the method of dry sowing and wet emergence, and determine the water drop amount per mu for emergence reasonably according to the soil texture, generally 60-80 cubic meters, the peak depth of moistening is controlled below 25 cm, and the water holding capacity of the soil tillage layer is maintained at 75-80%, to ensure that the seeds fully absorb water and germinate, and the seedlings emerge uniformly.

5. Pre-winter field management

5.1 Check seedlings and replant

After sowing, check the seedling condition and soil moisture conditions in time, and carry out replanting and soil moisture replenishment.

5.2 Seedling Management

Before freezing, the total number of stems in the group reached more than 800,000, with individual main stems having 5-6 leaves and 6-8 secondary roots. For vigorous seedlings, winter irrigation should be postponed appropriately, while for weak seedlings, watering should be done in advance.

5.3 Timely winter irrigation

Winter irrigation helps to store water and prevent drought, stabilize ground temperature, prevent frost, and reduce salt, which is beneficial for the safe wintering of wheat seedlings and their growth after turning green. The suitable time for winter irrigation is generally when the local average daily temperature is 2-3℃ and the dripping amount per mu is about 60 cubic meters.

5.4 Topdressing in winter

Depending on the condition of the seedlings and soil fertility, 6-8 kg of urea can be drip-applied per mu in combination with winter irrigation to achieve the effect of "winter fertilizer for spring use".

5.5 Winter management

Take effective measures to prevent frost damage and rodent damage during the wintering of wheat. Livestock are prohibited from entering wheat fields to ensure their safe wintering. After freezing, if the snow layer thickness is less than 8-10 cm, conduct a greening test in time to detect frost damage and deal with it in time. Take measures to prevent rodent damage to drip irrigation facilities.

6. Management from greening to jointing stage

6.1 Drainage and seedling protection

After the snow melts, drain the water in the fields in time to prevent the wheat seedlings from suffocating and dying due to waterlogging.

6.2 Drip irrigation network inspection

After the beginning of spring, strictly check the drip irrigation network and carry out maintenance work to ensure that the drip irrigation facilities and pipelines are in standby status.

6.3 Add water as appropriate

Whether to irrigate wheat after it turns green depends on the conditions of the wheat field. If there is little snow in winter, spring drought, and the soil water holding capacity is less than 65-70%, when the ground temperature in the 5 cm soil layer is ≥5℃ for 5 consecutive days, irrigation should be carried out according to the soil moisture conditions, with a drip rate of 40-50 cubic meters per mu.

6.4 Chemical regulation

Carry out timely and reasonable control according to the characteristics of the variety. In the early stage of emergence, use mechanical spraying of 40% chlormequat at 350-450 grams per mu, combined with chemical weed control mixed spray; for wheat fields with excessive growth, carry out the second chemical control 7-10 days after the first chemical control or before the second watering, using 40% chlormequat at 350-450 grams per mu to control the vigorous growth of wheat, promote root growth, prevent lodging, and increase grain weight.

6.5 Control of weeds in wheat fields

The focus is on preventing and controlling grass weeds such as wild oats and foxtail grass, and dicotyledonous weeds such as Chenopodium album and field bindweed. Around the jointing stage of wheat, spray 200-250 grams of 20% dimethoate aqueous solution mixed with 30-40 kilograms of water per mu of broad-leaved weeds. Wild oats (oat grass) should be controlled through a comprehensive approach, such as crop rotation. Chemical control should be mainly carried out before wheat jointing, with 40 ml of oxadone-ethyl diluted with 18 kg of water per mu for control.

7. Management during jointing and heading period

7.1 Water and fertilizer management

During the period from jointing to heading, watering is required twice, with 55-60 cubic meters per mu each time, and 12 kg of urea, 5 kg of monoammonium phosphate, and 3 kg of potassium sulfate are dripped per mu with the water, and 350 g of microbial agent is dripped twice (200 g/mu is dripped with water before jointing, and 150 g/mu is dripped with water before heading).

7.2 Prevention and control of pests and diseases

The main insect pests of wheat during this period are wheat thrips. During the heading stage of wheat, use 0.015% brassinolide + pyraclostrobin (tebuconazole, fenpropimorph) + 10% imidacloprid (aphid-killer) wettable powder 15-20 grams + 100-150 grams of potassium dihydrogen phosphate mixed with 25-30 kilograms of water for spraying per mu for prevention and control. When powdery mildew and rust occur, 15% fenpropimorph 50 g/mu or 25% fenpropimorph 30-40 g/mu should be used in time, diluted with 30-40 kg of water and sprayed for prevention and control.

8. Management from heading to maturity

8.1 Water and fertilizer management

Drip water once from heading to flowering stage, with 45-50 cubic meters per mu, and apply 8 kg of urea, 3 kg of monoammonium phosphate, and 4 kg of potassium sulfate with the water; drip water twice during the filling stage, with 30-40 cubic meters per mu, and apply 5 kg of urea, 3 kg of monoammonium phosphate, and 4 kg of potassium sulfate with the water each time. In the early stage of wax maturity, 25-30 cubic meters of water should be applied per mu to increase grain weight and prevent premature aging of the root system. During the wheat filling period, be careful not to water on rainy or windy days to prevent the wheat from lodging.

8.2 Prevention and control of pests and diseases

The main diseases of wheat during this period are powdery mildew and rust, which can be controlled by spraying 150-200 grams of pyraclostrobin (tebuconazole, fenpropimorph) + 40% acetamiprid wettable powder + 25-30 kilograms of water. In order to prevent damage from dry and hot winds during this period, foliar fertilizers such as amino oligosaccharides and seaweed need to be added.

The above is an introduction to the key points of winter wheat management techniques. You can choose a management plan that suits you based on the actual local environment, and also do a good job of harvesting and preservation in the later stage.