Latest Prevention and Remedial Measures for Wheat Freeze Damage
Wheat is one of the main grain crops in our country, and its planting area in China is very large. Although growing wheat is not difficult, various problems often arise during the growing process that affect wheat growth and lead to reduced yields. Wheat freeze damage is one of the very common ones, so how do you prevent wheat freeze damage? And what should you do after wheat freeze damage occurs? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
I. Preventive Measures
1. Increase Mulch Cover
Before entering winter, we should spread an appropriate amount of straw between the wheat rows. For example, wheat chaff, wheat straw, etc., with the coverage amount per mu kept at about 280 kg. Proper mulching can improve the soil's ability to retain moisture and prevent freezing. And after the straw decomposes, it can also improve the soil, increase soil fertility, and effectively increase yield. Then, after the wheat overwinters, apply an appropriate amount of farmyard manure along the rows. This can both shelter from wind and preserve moisture, and also achieve the purpose of increasing temperature and preventing freezing. Moreover, after the wheat enters the green-up stage in the spring of the following year, it can also provide sufficient nutrients for it, with the mulching thickness kept at about 3 cm.
2. Timely Winter Irrigation
Doing a good job of winter irrigation is a main measure for preventing wheat freeze damage. Winter irrigation can improve the soil moisture environment, regulate the nutrients in the middle layer of the soil, increase the soil's heat capacity, and raise the ground temperature by about two degrees. It can also allow soil cracks to close. It promotes wheat tillering and cultivates strong seedlings. When carrying out winter irrigation, it should be done when the daily temperature is around 5 degrees. If it is below 5 degrees, then wheat is highly prone to disease. And it should also be reasonably adjusted according to soil conditions, seedling conditions, etc. For example, clay soil should be irrigated appropriately early, while sandy soil should be irrigated appropriately late.
II. Remedial Measures
1. Irrigation After Freezing
After wheat freeze damage occurs, water it promptly. At this time, pay attention to the quality of irrigation, and after freezing, the irrigation should soak it through and water it sufficiently. Large amounts of water should be the main approach; small amounts of water are not only troublesome to apply, but the effect is also not obvious. If it is late frost damage, then the best remedial measure is irrigation. The more water is applied, the faster the wheat will recover and grow, and the more the losses can be reduced as much as possible. And be sure to pay attention to the irrigation amount, ensuring it is watered sufficiently in one go. If it is not soaked through, then due to evaporation and other reasons, the yield will still be greatly affected.
2. Strengthen Management
For some wheat whose leaves are frozen but whose tillering nodes are not completely killed by freezing, we should promptly apply a nitrogen fertilizer, mainly urea. Combined with one watering, this can help the frozen wheat recover as soon as possible and promote normal growth. Then, for wheat fields affected by freeze damage, carry out one intertillage and loosening of the soil to improve the soil's water storage capacity and temperature. This can also help the wheat tiller and form ears as soon as possible. Finally, focus on promoting growth and strengthen the mid-to-late stage management of wheat seedlings. Try to recover the losses caused by freeze damage and reduce the losses to the minimum.
The above is a brief introduction to what to do about wheat freeze damage. No matter how promptly you remedy wheat freeze damage, it will more or less have a certain impact on yield, so prevention should still be the main focus. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!