What are the key precautions for overwintering wheat? Latest management points

Wheat is divided into winter wheat and spring wheat. Spring wheat cannot survive the winter, and excessively low temperatures will cause freezing damage to wheat. Winter wheat is sown in autumn and matures and is harvested around Qingming Festival after passing through winter. Winter wheat has relatively strong cold resistance, but we still need to do a good job of management during overwintering so that the wheat can overwinter smoothly. So what aspects of management should we pay attention to when wheat is overwintering? Let's take a look together below!

1. Fertilization

Applying winter fertilizer is relatively important, because the temperature in winter is extremely low and the nutrients in the soil are also relatively few, so we should apply enough base fertilizer before overwintering. However, note that the amount of fertilizer applied must not be excessive. For plots with sufficient nutrients, strong wheat growth, and many robust seedlings, winter fertilizer should be applied sparingly. The additional application of winter fertilizer is usually carried out together with watering, and plots that do not need watering do not necessarily need additional fertilizer. Apply the corresponding winter fertilizer according to the nutrient deficiencies in the soil.

2. Watering

For plots where the soil is dry and hard, land preparation is relatively difficult, and soil moisture is poor, water should be applied in time to soften the soil, promote root growth, and ensure the development of tillering. Plots with good soil moisture should be watered less or not at all according to the actual situation, otherwise excessive watering will cause wheat to grow excessively. When the temperature drops to about 4 degrees, it is the best time to water. This is usually at the end of November. If watering is too late, the wheat may suffer freezing damage. After watering, the soil compaction should be dealt with in time to preserve water and soil moisture.

3. Moisture conservation

Now many farmers are using the method of returning straw to the field to improve soil fertility. After straw is returned to the field, seedling-stage compaction should be carried out in time. Also, for vigorous-growing wheat fields that have been cultivated, have not been compacted, or have shown no obvious effect from compaction, compaction treatment should also be carried out in time. Pressing the soil firmly can increase the contact area between roots and soil, promote root development, improve the soil's moisture-conservation capacity, and prevent excessive plant growth.

4. Weed control

When wheat grows to the three-leaf stage, weed control work should be carried out, because in winter the wheat leaves have not fully developed and matured, leading to rampant weeds. However, these weeds are relatively fragile and do not have strong resistance to herbicides, so we can use the corresponding herbicide according to the type of weeds. When spraying, be careful not to miss or deviate from the target, and be sure to spray thoroughly in place. Otherwise, it will also have a certain impact on wheat growth. If the weeds are not removed cleanly, they will compete with wheat for nutrients, affecting wheat growth and causing malnutrition.

5. Disease prevention

Many friends think that pests and diseases will not occur in winter, but in fact, some can also appear when winter management is improper. The most common one is wireworm, and prevention and control work should be strengthened. When the incidence is severe, choose the corresponding pesticide and spray it appropriately to kill them. Digging several trenches in the field and mixing the pesticide with soil or water and applying it into the trenches can effectively prevent and control them.

The above is a brief introduction to the precautions for overwintering wheat, which are actually also some of our management aspects. What needs special attention in winter wheat planting is preventing freezing damage during overwintering. In fact, the above is mostly also for preventing freezing damage. Freezing damage affects wheat growth, greatly hindering nutrient absorption and transport, and indirectly affects wheat yield and quality. This article is for reference only. Thank you everyone for reading and supporting.