Wheat Cultivation Techniques Tutorial: Latest Answers to 10 Questions

Q: What is the vernalization phenomenon of wheat?

A: After the wheat seed begins to germinate, in addition to requiring a certain set of comprehensive conditions, its growing point must also pass through an influence period dominated by low temperature before it can head and set seed; otherwise it will never set seed. This phenomenon is called the vernalization phenomenon of wheat; this period of low-temperature influence is called the vernalization stage of wheat; this characteristic is also called the temperature sensitivity of wheat.

Q: What is the sign that wheat has passed through the vernalization stage?

A: In addition to requiring comprehensive conditions, low temperature plays the leading role in wheat passing through the vernalization stage; the organ of wheat that receives the low-temperature response during the vernalization stage is the growing point of the embryo of the germinating seed or the growing point of the stem of the green seedling. If conditions are suitable, it can begin at seed germination, but generally speaking, the elongation stage of the growing cone is the sign that wheat has passed through the vernalization stage, and the double-ridge stage is the sign that the wheat vernalization stage has ended.

Q: According to the temperature sensitivity of wheat, into how many types are wheat varieties divided?

A: According to the degree of low temperature required and the length of duration in the wheat vernalization stage, wheat can be divided into the following three types, namely winter varieties, semi-winter varieties and spring varieties.

Q: What are winter varieties?

A: The suitable temperature for passing through the vernalization stage is 0~3°C, and the required time is more than 30 days. These varieties are prostrate at the seedling stage, have strong cold resistance, and are extremely sensitive to temperature; seeds that have not undergone vernalization treatment generally cannot head when sown in spring.

Q: What are semi-winter varieties?

A: The suitable temperature for passing through the vernalization stage is 0~7°C, and the required time is 15~35 days. These varieties are semi-prostrate at the seedling stage, have relatively strong cold resistance, and generally cannot head or are delayed in heading when sown in spring, with extremely uneven heading.

Q: What are spring varieties?

A: The suitable temperature for passing through the vernalization stage is 0~12°C, and the required time is 5~15 days. These varieties are upright at the seedling stage, have poor cold resistance, and are not sensitive to temperature; seeds that have not undergone vernalization treatment can head and set seed normally when sown in spring.

Q: What are the misconceptions that are easy to make in selecting wheat varieties?

A: Misconception one: one-sidedly seeking newness. As we know, a formally recognized new crop variety generally refers to a variety that has undergone regional trials and production trials and has been examined (recognized) and approved by the provincial crop variety approval committee, and that performs excellently in yield, quality, resistance and other aspects. However, in the market, driven by profit, some units and individuals often publicize newly bred lines that have not undergone regional trials and production trials to farmers under the name of new varieties, and some even aggressively market eliminated lines under the name of new varieties, resulting in reduced yields or total crop failure for some farmers after introducing them.

Misconception two: ignoring the scope of adaptability and blindly pursuing large-spike varieties. As we know, large-spike wheat has larger grains, and the seed appearance is also somewhat better; under general conditions it also has higher yield-increasing potential, but this does not mean that planting large-spike wheat varieties will necessarily achieve high yield. This is because each wheat variety has a certain regional adaptability, and a good variety from elsewhere is not necessarily suitable for local planting. Usually, planting a variety beyond its region generally cannot guarantee the expected yield level, and most cannot achieve high yield. The scientific approach is: according to market demand, select varieties suited to local conditions that have good marketability and outstanding excellent traits, and that are compatible with the local ecological conditions and soil fertility.

Misconception three: ignoring soil fertility conditions and one-sidedly pursuing varieties for high fertilizer and water conditions. Each variety has its suitable fertility level; high fertilizer and water varieties can only give play to their yield-increasing potential when planted on high fertilizer and water plots. If planted in medium- and low-yield fields, phenomena such as premature senescence, drying up, shriveled grains, low flour extraction rate and low yield often occur. Similarly, if medium fertilizer and water varieties or dryland varieties are planted on high fertilizer and water plots, because their yield-increasing potential is limited, lodging often occurs and yield cannot be raised.

Misconception four: believing advertising propaganda one-sidedly and blindly following trends. In some places, farmer friends often believe advertising propaganda one-sidedly and pursue new, novel, special, expensive and high varieties, blindly believing that the newer the variety the better, the more novel the better, the more expensive the better, and the higher the yield the better. These views are all wrong. The scientific approach should be: scientifically select varieties according to the planting rotation, fertility level, fertilization level and other conditions of your own land; only in this way can high yield be obtained. That is to say, scientifically selecting varieties is the first key to high yield in scientific farming. When selecting varieties, the method of combining high-yield varieties with stable-yield varieties and new varieties with old varieties should be adopted. For new varieties that have never been planted, one should not believe advertising propaganda one-sidedly; in the first year a small amount can be purchased for trial planting, and only after success can a large amount be purchased and used in the second year, so as to avoid economic losses caused by poor seed adaptability and other reasons.

Q: What are this year's main recommended wheat varieties and the opinions on variety utilization?

A: At present, the main recommended wheat varieties in our city are mainly concentrated in three major series: Wenmai, Xinmai and Zhoumai. Wenmai varieties include: Wenmai No. 6, No. 4, No. 8, No. 10, No. 19, etc.; the Xinmai series includes: Xinmai No. 9, No. 11, No. 13, No. 18, etc.; the Zhoumai series includes: Zhoumai No. 16, No. 18, etc. Other varieties that perform relatively well in production include: Yumai 18 and its superior lines, Yanshi 4110, Luomai No. 4, Xunong No. 5, Aikang 58, Jimai 20, Zhongmai No. 1, Xinong 979, etc. With the introduction and breeding of new varieties, new high-yield and high-quality varieties should be adopted in a timely manner.

Based on recent wheat production practice, the opinions on wheat variety utilization are as follows:

① Plain irrigated areas

Early-stubble wheat: mainly Yumai 49 (986 line), Yumai No. 69 (Xinmai No. 9) and their superior lines, and Xinmai 18, with supplementary planting of Yumai 41, Zhoumai 16, Xinmai 13 and Kaimai 13. Medium and late stubble wheat: mainly Zhengzhou 9023, Yumai 18 (including the 99 line), Yumai 34 and Yanshi 4110, with supplementary planting of Zhengnong 16, Yumai 70 (Neixiang 188), Pumai No. 9 and Zhongmai No. 1.

② Dryland areas

Early-stubble wheat: mainly Yumai 41 (Wenmai No. 4) and Yumai 49, with supplementary planting of Xinmai No. 9 and Luohan No. 2. Medium and late stubble wheat: mainly Zhengzhou 9023 and Yumai 18, with supplementary planting of Yumai 70, Yanshi 4110, Yumai 34 and Yumai 47.

③ Planting of high-quality strong-gluten wheat:

For early-stubble high-quality wheat, choose the varieties Jimai 20, Xinong 979 and Gaomai 8901, preferably planted on high fertilizer and water plots; for medium and late stubble high-quality wheat, choose Zhengmai 9023 and Yumai 47, appropriately expand the planting of Zhengnong 16, and demonstrate Zhengmai 005.

Q: When are the suitable sowing periods for different varieties?

A: For semi-winter varieties such as Yumai 41, Yumai 49, Yumai 69, Xinmai 18 and Zhoumai 16, the most suitable sowing period is October 5—10, and sowing should be completed before October 18. For weak spring varieties such as Yumai 18, Yanshi 4110, Yumai 70, Yumai 34, Yumai 47, Xinmai 11, Pumai No. 9 and Zhengnong 16, the most suitable sowing period is October 11—20. Weak spring varieties that develop quickly in the early stage, such as Zhengmai 9023 and Yanzhan No. 1, should be sown after October 14 to avoid winter and spring freeze damage.

Q: How should the sowing rate of different varieties be controlled?

A: For semi-winter varieties, in high-yield fields with a yield of about 450 kg per mu, when sown from October 10-15, the sowing rate per mu should preferably be 7-8 kg; for plots with a yield of 350—400 kg per mu, the sowing rate per mu should be controlled at 8-9 kg; for plots with a “thousand-jin” production capacity, the sowing rate per mu should be controlled at 6-7 kg. For weak spring varieties, on the basis of the above fertility and sowing period, the sowing rate is the same as that of semi-winter varieties, taking the upper limit. For sowing after October 15, for every 4 days of delay, the sowing rate per mu should be increased by 1 kg.