Three Stages of Winter Wheat - Stage One: Pre-Emergent and Planting
Posted on August 03, 2021
START WITH SOIL ANALYSIS
Soil testing is an invaluable tool to understand soil or plant health, both of which directly impact yield. Fall and early winter are the optimum times for soil sampling. Sampling this time of year allows producers to prepare for the following year’s crops. A proper soil test will help to determine the application of fertilizer needed to meet the crops’ requirements while also taking advantage of the nutrients already present in the soil, thus being a very cost-effective tool for managing a fertilizer program.
ADDRESS NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS
Nitrogen (N) is the single most important nutrient for achieving high yields. Adequate nitrogen levels will allow the plant to grow bigger leaves and more shoots, with each leaf developing faster. Nitrogen deficiency reduces the rate of primordia initiation, which reduces the number of potential grain sites.
Phosphorus (P) is the second most important nutrient after nitrogen in terms of its influence on plant growth and development. After the crop has developed two to three leaves it will begin to rely on soil-available phosphorus for continued leaf and shoot numbers growth.
Zinc (Zn) is an important micronutrient that affects the developing components of yield, such as the number of tillers and grain in the head. Zinc also improves the uptake of other nutrients, both macro and micronutrients.
PLANTING
A successful wheat crop begins with the proper planting population. At planting, Michigan State University recommends planting 1.4-2.2 million seeds per acre, which will ensure an emerged plant population of at least 1.3 million plants per acre.
PLAN A SEASON LONG APPROACH
A properly-timed nutrient management program is essential for maximizing yields at harvest.
To download our High Yield Wheat Program, visit AndersonsPlantNutrient.com/HighYield
Additional Resources
Three Stages of Winter Wheat - Stage Two: Tillering and Topdress
Three Stages of Winter Wheat - Stage Three: Heading and Stem Extension
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