Introduction
Successful wheat production requires the use of management practices that contribute to high yields of forage or grain. Planting practices and management decisions made during the planting season are crucial for good stand establishment, winter survival and production.
Land Selection
Wheat is most productive when planted on soils that have good surface and internal drainage, a fertility level of at least medium and a neutral of slightly acidic soil. Fields that have poor surface or internal drainage or that are subject to prolonged overflow should not be planted to wheat. Test soils to determine fertilizer and lime needs well before planting time.
Seedbed Preparation
Seedbed preparation should be thorough enough to incorporate existing vegetation and permit uniform planting. Plowing may be required where excessive vegetation exists as when following corn or grain sorghum with wheat. If little vegetation is present, disking may provide a good seedbed and allow proper drill operation. Planting with a no-till drill may be successful if the surface is smooth and little vegetation is present.
Planting Dates
The LSU AgCenter recommendations for planting wheat are as follows:
- October 15 to November 15 (North LA)
- November 1 to November 15 (Central and South LA)
Planting wheat earlier than the recommended planting dates will subject the plants to greater insect and disease pressure and also make the plants more prone to winter injury. Although wheat emerges sooner and the shoot develops faster in warm soil (75 to 80 degrees), the root system develops much faster and more extensively if the soil is cool (55 to 60 degrees).
Planting Methods, Rates and Depths
Planting with a grain drill is the preferred method because it allows uniform depth of planting and results in a more uniform stand. Broadcast seeding followed by light disking or harrowing to cover the seed can be used where drilling is not convenient. A seeding rate of 60-90 pounds per acre of high quality seed planted into a good seedbed with adequate moisture is satisfactory. Adjust the seeding rate up to about 90 pounds per acre for broadcast planting, late planting, or planting into a poorly prepared seedbed or one with inadequate moisture.
For proper emergence and a vigorous stand, plant seed at a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Coverage should be less in medium to heavy textured soils than in light or sandy soils. Coverage should also be reduced for late planting and for planting into soils with abundant moisture for emergence.
Fall Fertilization
Fall fertilization should be carried out to supply any needs indicated by soil testing. Phosphorus and potassium, where recommended, should be incorporated into the seedbed before planting time. If lime is recommended, apply before seedbed preparation if possible. Fall application of nitrogen is usually not needed where wheat follows soybeans. Where wheat follows corn, grain sorghum or rice, application of 15 to 20 pounds of nitrogen per acre in the fall may be beneficial.
Spring Topdressing
Nitrogen is a necessary nutrient for growth of wheat. Although the total quantity needed is quite large, the early seasonal needs are small. If all of the needed nitrogen needed is applied at planting, several undesirable results can occur. The crop may produce too much vegetative growth during the fall and early winter. This can lead to excessive freezing damage, lodging and increased insect and/or disease problems. Much of the early applied nitrogen can also be lost to leaching and/or volatilization during rainy winter months. The supply available for spring growth and grain filling is likely to be inadequate if all of the nitrogen is applied in the fall.
Timing of spring applications should consider plant growth stage and crop condition rather than simply going by calendar date. A field that begins stem elongation or jointing in early February needs nitrogen earlier than a field that begins stem elongation in late February. Similarly, a field that has a thin stand, making tiller production and survival very important, will suffer more from early nitrogen shortages than fields with thick stands where tiller contributions are less important.
Research has shown all nitrogen sources to be equal in their ability to produce wheat. Nitrogen source should be selected on the basis of price, availability and convenience. In recent years, many growers have expressed interest in splitting the spring nitrogen into tow or more applications. This practice has not had a major effect on wheat yields under the growing conditions experienced in Louisiana research trials. Because of the small differences observed in the results of research comparing single and split spring nitrogen applications, follow these recommendations for spring topdressing of wheat.
Alluvial Soils: Apply 70-90 pounds of nitrogen/acre in the spring before jointing (usually mid to late February, at Feeke’s stage 5 to 6). On poorly drained alluvial soils, split applications with ½ applied just before jointing and the remainder by the early boot stage may be beneficial in some years. Use the lower rate for varieties that tend to lodge frequently.
Other Soils: Apply 60-80 pounds of nitrogen/acre in the spring before jointing (usually mid to late February, at Feeke’s stage 5 to 6). Use the lower rate for varieties that tend to lodge frequently.
Pest Management
Plant diseases, weeds and insects are pests of wheat. They reduce yields and increase the cost of production. Additionally, some of these pests cause damage that results in reduced grain quality and lowers the price received for grain. Effective pest management programs frequently use several approaches to minimize the effect of pests. Planting resistant varieties; following recommended planting, cultivation, and fertilization guidelines; crop rotation; planting high quality, weed-free seed; timely field inspection and pesticide applications are all part of an efficient and effective pest control program.