Winter irrigation of wheat has many benefits; growers should understand these

????1. What are the benefits of winter irrigation

Timely winter irrigation of wheat, first, can stabilize soil temperature and prevent freeze damage and seedling death; second, can settle the soil, break up clods, and eliminate overwintering pests; third, combining winter water with winter fertilizer can create good conditions for wheat green-up and root growth the following spring. In addition, winter irrigation of wheat fields in saline-alkali soil can also press down salt and improve the soil. According to surveys, compared with wheat fields without winter irrigation, winter-irrigated fields increased by 123,000 ears per mu, 6.7 grains per ear, and 1.3 grams in 1000-grain weight, with a yield increase of 27%.

????2. What kind of wheat fields need winter irrigation

Whether wheat needs winter irrigation depends first on soil moisture: all wheat fields with field water-holding capacity below 80% before winter and with irrigation conditions should carry out winter irrigation; second, it depends on the seedling condition: wheat fields with more than 1.5-2 tillers per plant are more suitable for winter irrigation. Generally, weak seedlings, especially late-sown single-stem single seedlings, are best not given winter irrigation, otherwise freeze damage is likely to occur.

????3. When is the best time for winter irrigation

The suitable time for winter irrigation of wheat generally starts when the daily average temperature drops to 7°C-8°C and ends at around 5°C; farmers' experience is: "freezing at night and thawing by day, winter irrigation is just right." If winter irrigation is too early, the temperature is relatively high and evaporation is large, so the desired effect cannot be achieved; if winter irrigation is too late, the soil freezes, water cannot infiltrate in time, surface water accumulates and freezes, and wheat seedlings under the ice layer are prone to suffocation and death, or ice ridges form, lifting soil clods, breaking wheat roots, and killing wheat seedlings. The order of winter irrigation is generally to irrigate clay land and low-lying land with poor water permeability first, then sandy land with strong water permeability; first irrigate second- and third-class wheat fields with insufficient subsoil moisture or poor surface moisture, then irrigate wheat fields with better moisture, earlier sowing, and a tendency to excessive growth.

????4. How large should the winter irrigation water amount be

The amount of winter irrigation water for wheat should not be too large; generally 50-60 cubic meters per mu is sufficient. To save water, canals and border strips must be matched to prevent flood irrigation.

????5. How to manage after winter irrigation

After winter irrigation of wheat, loosen the soil by shallow hoeing in time and close cracks, so as to preserve moisture and increase temperature, and prevent wind penetration from damaging roots and causing seedling death.