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Wheat production in a drought stressed environment
By Monte Hampton
Ford County Extension Agent, Agriculture
Western Kansas
With dryland Wheat in a large area of western Kansas in various stages of stress this year's Wheat crop could use some additional moisture. I would like to reflect upon information from Jim Shroyer, K-State Extension Wheat specialist. Where the Wheat has been stressed and is poorly developed, but stand counts are good, it still may be possible to produce some good yields if: 1) Spring moisture is adequate, 2) There's enough nitrogen and phosphorous in the soil, 3) Weed control is good, and diseases are not a problem.
Tiller production according to Shroyer, is programmed by some combination of temperature and daylength. This combination will be important in determining final yield.
Late winter and early spring, from the time Wheat breaks dormancy until stem elongation begins, is also the period during which the potential number of spikelets per head are being determined, which contributes to plant yield along with tillers per plant. Therefore, good conditions during this time frame can help increase Wheat head size, kernel numbers and Wheat heads per acre. On the other hand, if moisture conditions are good in February and March, there will be some spring tillering.
Moisture at the start of jointing stage and stem elongation can increase the number of berries per spikelet and also influence the weight of those berries. If there is good moisture when stems start shooting upward in March, plants can produce good, full heads partially make up ground for having fewer tillers than normal.
When topdressing nitrogen in spring, timing determines how the plants will use the nutrients. According to Ray Lamond, K-State Extension soil fertility specialist, if moisture is not limited, plants will use nitrogen applied before the joint stage to produce more tillers. If the topdress application is made after jointing begins, the plants use the nitrogen for existing leaves and stems. Therefore, topdressing after stem elongation may influence the number of kernels per head, but will no longer increase the number of tillers or Wheat heads. To influence yields, topdress applications of nitrogen should be made early enough to ensure that applied nitrogen is moved into the root zone by precipitation prior to the jointing stage.
For more information about Wheat production, contact the Ford County Extension office.
Date: 2/12/04
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