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Planting Tips for this Fall’s Wheat Crop
9/19/2003
Ron F. Meyer
Area
Extension Agent (Agronomy)
Colorado State University
Extension
Golden Plains Area |
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The first step to planning for a wheat crop is observation of last
year’s crop. Observing different fields, attending wheat field days and
reading about varieties will provide you with information to look at the newer
wheat's and find varieties that fit your farming operation.
As you plan
ahead, there are several things you can use as a guide that can affect your
wheat yields: planting date; seeding rate; and seed size.
* Planting
date. Wheat has a wide window for optimum planting dates across Colorado.
In this part of the world, we like to start planting early to mid-September
with September 10 being optimum most years.
Many producers favor early
planting to ensure good stand establishment. But early planting can also
increase the risk of Hessian fly infestations, wheat streak mosaic and barley
yellow dwarf. Waiting until later will greatly reduce these problems. Early
planted wheat is also more likely to have excessive fall growth that uses
valuable soil moisture.
Wheat planted too late may have a higher risk of
winterkill and poor fall growth and tillering, which can lead to increased wind
erosion. Delaying planting dates past the optimum time can reduce yields, too.
Studies at Garden City, KS show a 22 percent reduction in yield by delaying the
planting date from October 1 to November 1, and another 18 percent by delaying
to December 1.
As the planting date is delayed past the optimum, the
seeding rate should be increased to compensate for the reduced tillering
potential.
* Seeding rate. Seeding rates vary across the state.
For our dryland plantings 30 to 60 pounds per acre is common, with most using
45 to 60 pounds per acre (500,000 seeds per acre is optimum). Seeding rates in
Colorado have been increasing the past 10 years, possibly because more
semi-dwarf varieties are being planted.
Wheat plants can adjust to low
plant populations by increased tillering. However, some varieties respond to
increased seeding rates more than others. For example, from a study in Western
Kansas, Tam 107 responded to higher seeding rates while Larned did
not.
As planting dates are delayed, seeding rates should be increased.
In recent studies at Hutchinson and in Northwest Kansas, high seeding rates
were necessary to maximize yields when wheat was planted late. Medium seeding
rates (in the recommended range) resulted in maximum yields at normal planting
dates but not from later planting dates.
* Seed size. Large seed
has been noted to increase wheat grain yields in Kansas. Large seed increases
vigor, tillering and fall forage production compared to small
seed.
However, increased grain yields cannot be guaranteed every year or
with every variety with planting large seed. For example, there were no
differences in yield between light- and heavy-test weight seed of Karl, which
has excellent tillering capability. Varieties that tiller well can compensate
for small seed size.
In mid-fall weather, the effect of large seed may
be reduced because seedlings from small seed have more time to tiller and
become established. Also, when planting by volume (as most of us do), more
seeds per acre will be planted when using small seed, which may negate the
effect of large seed.
Although the large seed does not necessarily
result in higher grain yields every year, large seed is good insurance and may
show a yield advantage under adverse growing conditions.
Source: Ag
Happenings, KSU |
Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
10/202003 |
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