What should be noted when wheat overwinters?

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 overwinters? Let's take a look together with the editor below!

1. Fertilizing

Applying winter fertilizer is relatively important, because winter temperatures are extremely low and there are fewer nutrients in the soil, so we should apply sufficient base fertilizer before overwintering. However, note that the amount of fertilizer should 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 done together with watering, and for plots that do not need watering, there is no need to apply 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 tiller development. For plots with good soil moisture, water should be applied sparingly or not at all according to the actual situation; otherwise, excessive watering will cause wheat to grow excessively. When the temperature drops to around 4°C, 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, promptly deal with soil compaction to preserve water and soil moisture.

3. Preserving soil moisture

Many farmers now use the method of returning straw to the field to improve soil fertility. After returning straw to the field, seedling-stage compaction should be carried out in time. In addition, for vigorously growing wheat fields that have been cultivated, have not been compacted, or have shown little effect from compaction, compaction treatment should also be carried out in time. Compacting the soil can increase the contact area between roots and soil, promote root development, improve the soil's moisture-preserving capacity, and prevent excessive plant growth.

4. Weeding

Weeding should be carried out when wheat grows to the three-leaf stage, because in winter the wheat leaves have not fully developed and matured, causing weeds to grow unchecked. 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 spray unevenly or miss spots; it must be sprayed thoroughly in all areas. 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 appear if management is improper in winter. The most common is wireworm, and prevention and control work should be strengthened. When the infestation is severe, choose the corresponding pesticide and spray appropriately to kill them. Digging several trenches in the field and applying the pesticide mixed with soil or water into the trenches can provide effective control.

The above is a brief introduction to the points to note when wheat overwinters. In fact, these are also some of our management aspects. What needs special attention in winter wheat cultivation 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.