What Causes Wheat Yellowing? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Prevention and Control Methods

Wheat yellowing is a phenomenon that occurs during the growth of wheat. In recent years it has shown a worsening trend, bringing huge economic losses to farmers. So what causes wheat yellowing? And how should it be prevented and controlled? Let's find out together.

1. Causes of yellowing

1. Insufficient soil fertility

When soil fertility is insufficient, the plants gradually turn yellow because of a lack of water and nutrients. The specific symptoms are few secondary roots, few tillers, dark green leaves, and relatively yellow leaf tips. This appears across the whole field, but nearby fields do not show these symptoms.

2. Non-standard planting methods

When the soil preparation at sowing is poor, especially when straw is returned to the field too shallowly, when the soil is not firmly pressed after sowing, or when sowing is too deep, poor root development and exposed tillering nodes will occur, and the yellowing phenomenon becomes severe in the later stages.

3. Soil compaction

When the soil environment deteriorates, such as acidification and compaction, the wheat root system has difficulty developing. If the cold resistance of winter wheat is weak, after green-up the nutrient transport of the root system cannot keep up, and the leaves turn yellow.

4. Iron deficiency

When wheat seedlings are deficient in iron, the leaf veins lose green and turn yellow, and gradually the entire leaf loses green and becomes yellow-white.

5. Wheat mosaic virus disease

Also known as wheat spindle streak mosaic disease, it is an occasional disease in certain years. The disease infects at the seedling stage, and symptoms are not obvious during the low temperatures of autumn and winter. At green-up the following year, the symptoms become obvious. After infection, yield is generally reduced by about 10%-30%, and in severe cases by more than 50%, or even a total crop failure.

2. Prevention and control methods

Adhere to prevention first and comprehensive management. Identify the cause according to the disease symptoms, and adopt effective measures for prevention and control.

1. Yellowing caused by insufficient fertility

At the green-up stage, apply 5-10 of urea per mu; at the jointing stage, apply another 12-15 kg of urea per mu, or apply 10 kg of diammonium phosphate in a furrow.

2. Yellowing caused by non-standard planting methods

Winter irrigation should be carried out in time to promote the growth and development of the wheat root system, improve tiller quality, achieve the goal of rooting and strengthening roots, and also improve the root system's ability to transport nutrients and the frequency of metabolism.

3. Yellowing caused by soil compaction

After the temperature rises and stabilizes, spray foliar fertilizer at the green-up stage. After new roots grow, then water and fertilize, following the principle of small amounts and multiple applications. At the same time, break up the compaction by intertillage to promote later wheat growth and reduce losses to a minimum.

4. Yellowing caused by iron deficiency

Spray a 0.1% ferrous sulfate solution 2-3 times, which can replenish iron in time and gives good results.

5. Prevention and control of wheat mosaic virus disease

Choose varieties with strong disease resistance, promptly destroy stubble after the previous crop is harvested, apply fully decomposed farmyard manure, and use microorganisms to inhibit the growth of pathogens. According to the temperature conditions of that year, sow late at the appropriate time to avoid the optimal infection period of the pathogen. Farm tools must be cleaned and disinfected before use. At sowing, coat the seed with carbendazim, hymexazol, and an insecticide before sowing. When the disease occurs, carbendazim plus a small amount of urea can be used to drench the roots 2-3 times, with an interval of 7 days each time.

The above is an introduction to the causes of wheat yellowing and the prevention and control methods. We hope it can help you. To learn more related knowledge, please follow us.