How to Prevent and Control Wheat Lodging? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Methods
After wheat is planted, the problem most likely to occur when rain comes is wheat lodging. There are many causes of wheat lodging, but they are all related to the toughness of the wheat stem, and also to the weather. When this problem is encountered during production, it means that the specific cause of lodging must be identified based on how it occurs and the local conditions, so that targeted improvements can be made. Moreover, for every cause that can be thought of, countermeasures should be planned before planting.
I. Causes of Lodging+
Sudden strong winds and heavy rain, or the effects of other extreme natural disasters, can cause large-scale lodging. Alternatively, during cultivation the stem may be relatively long and slender, making it prone to lodging under external influences. Then there is insufficient fertilizer and nutrients, which leads to thin and weak stems that cannot withstand wind and rain. There is also damage to the base of the stem by pests and diseases, which causes lodging.
II. Preventive Measures
1. Seed Selection
During the growing period, always pay attention to the weather. Before strong winds and heavy rain, earth can be banked up around the plants to increase the strength of the root zone and resist wind and rain. Choose short, sturdy varieties with strong, tough, hard stems, and they can also be planted in a relatively sheltered spot. The selected variety should be one that has been tested in practical cultivation and has indeed shown good resistance to wind and rain.
2. Growth Regulation
Growth regulators can be used to make the plants grow shorter and sturdier, such as chlormequat, or gibberellin at a certain concentration. These can shorten the internodes, enhance root activity, make the leaves wider and shorter, and increase grain set, so that the plants do not catch the wind and are less likely to lodge. Applying them at the early jointing stage gives an obvious effect, while later application has little effect.
3. Fertilization and Irrigation
Fertilize and irrigate adequately to ensure good growth. Do not, before the jointing stage, fail to control the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth, thin and weak stems, and easy lodging. Apply more potassium fertilizer at the jointing stage to strengthen the stems and root system, so that the roots grow more and the stems are strong, which plays a major role in anchoring the plants. Water must not accumulate; prolonged waterlogging easily causes root rot and leads to lodging.
4. Pest and Disease Control
Many diseases begin at the base of the stem, and after onset they generally rot the roots and stems. For example, with wheat Rhizoctonia damping-off, after infection the stem base and roots turn black and rot, and plants die in patches. In the early stage of the disease, if wind and rain occur, lodging can be extremely likely. For control, 40% isofenphos-methyl emulsifiable concentrate 50ml or 50% phoxim emulsifiable concentrate 100ml can be sprayed. The main underground pest harming the roots is the mole cricket. Mole crickets are good at digging through the soil and will damage the root system. 10% imidacloprid can be mixed with water and used to drench the roots for control.
The above are the various causes of wheat lodging and the corresponding preventive and control measures, which can solve and improve the problem of wheat lodging. There are many causes of wheat lodging, and they are greatly related to the specific local environment and climate. There may also be causes that have not been considered, and these can be studied and solved independently when discovered in production practice.