October 27, 2004

It's not too late to plant wheat, Purdue agronomist says

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Even with cool temperatures and recent rainfall, a Purdue University agronomist said that Indiana growers can plant wheat until the end of October.

"Actually, right now southern Indiana is in the ideal window to plant wheat, and it's not too late to plant wheat in northern areas, either," said Shawn Conley, an assistant professor of agronomy. "Many farmers get antsy and want to drop their wheat into the ground too early, but we caution growers to wait until after the Hessian Fly Free date (Oct. 9) to plant their wheat."

This date ensures that producers are less likely to have the Hessian flies infest and damage their wheat crop. Hessian fly maggots cause damage by feeding on the crown and base of the wheat leaf.

Conley said that this feeding results in weakened plants that do not tiller properly and are more susceptible to winterkill. Heavily infested fields may have reduced grain yield, decreased plant health and vigor, and increased stem breakage from stem weakening.

There are other several things to keep in mind even before planting wheat, Conley said. These factors include seeding rate, wheat variety selection, seed size, seed depth and use of fertilizer.

In northern Indiana, where temperatures tend to drop faster, growers should take seeding rate into account. There is a two- to three-week difference in temperature from northern Indiana to southern Indiana, Conley said.

When planting is significantly delayed into late fall, the number of wheat heads will be decreased, Conley said. On every plant there are tillers, each of which has the potential to produce a wheat head.

By increasing the seeding rate, producers can compensate for the loss of wheat heads caused by decreased tiller numbers, he said. The optimum number of seeds planted per square foot under ideal conditions is 32-35.

Ellsworth Christmas, Purdue Extension agronomist, said it also is important for producers to recognize the importance of wheat varieties. Variety characteristics to consider include insect and disease resistance, scab resistance, and maturity.

"If you plant several different varieties of wheat, each carrying certain traits, then you guard all your bases," Christmas said.

Another aspect of wheat production to keep in mind is seed size. Conley said it is important for producers to know the number of seeds per pound. As seed size increases or decreases, the seeding rate in pounds per acre also will change.

"Growers experienced the effect of seed size this spring with soybean, and similar results will occur with wheat," Conley said.

Seed depth also is an important issue in wheat production, Conley and Christmas said. They advise producers to maintain a 1-inch to 1.5- inch seed depth to limit premature crowning or sprouting above the ground. Planting at this depth will place the crown, or the place where the plant begins to emerge, at three-quarters of an inch from the surface of the soil.

In addition, fertilizer use plays a large role in growing wheat. Maintaining an adequate level of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the soil will improve wheat plant quality, Christmas said. Testing the soil helps determine the appropriate amount of each fertilizer component needed for a wheat crop, he said.

While taking into consideration all the important aspects of wheat production, Conley encouraged producers to scout their wheat crop in the fall.

"This will give growers a jump start on next springs field operations," Conley said.

Writer: Meggie Issler, (765) 494-8402, missler@purdue.edu

Sources: Shawn Conley, conleysp@purdue.edu

Ellsworth Christmas, (765) 494-6373, echristmas@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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