Wheat Growth and Development

Successful wheat management requires understanding of how the wheat plant grows and develops. You should make management decisions and apply inputs, such as nitrogen, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides, at the proper stages of growth, not according to calendar dates. Wheat (like any other crop) responds best to inputs at certain stages of development. You can maximize potential effectiveness of an input and optimize production and profit by knowing wheat growth stages and observing plant development. The most popular system of identifying wheat growth stages is the Feekes scale. The Feekes scale goes from 1.0 (just after emergence) to 11.4 (ripe for harvest). 

Description of Feeke’s Scale of Wheat Development.

Nitrogen Fertilization of Wheat

Apply nitrogen as a top-dressing February 15-March 30. Use the earlier date if the wheat stand is thin to encourage more tillering. All the nitrogen should be applied before wheat begins to joint. UT Research has shown no difference in source of nitrogen (ammonium nitrate, urea or liquid nitrogen) when applied according to recommendations. Total economical nitrogen needs for a wheat crop grown in Tennessee should be near 90 lbs. per acre. Consider split-applying the top-dress nitrogen application when wheat is planted after November 15 or when there is an average of less than four tillers per plant in early January. However, Currently we are in the window to make a full rate application. With current warm temperatures, it would be highly unlikely that a second application of a split application program could be make before wheat begins to joint.

High In-Put Production Systems

Some wheat production systems look to maximize yield potential by utilizing crop protection chemical and fertilizer inputs at increased rates when compared to UT Extension recommendations. UT Extension recommendations attempt to maximize economic returns for wheat producers by only applying inputs that have been proven to provide economic returns over multiple years of research. UT Extension recommendations are based on using sustainable practices including proper scouting with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, soil testing and reasonable yield goals. UT Extension discourages the use of any management system that requires inputs based on calendar dates without appropriate scouting or testing procedures.

While high-input systems are attractive when high yields are realized, producers need to evaluate how much monetary risk they are willing to take in their management budget. The most important decision you make with either a high-input or traditional production system is to stick to your original plan. Using a traditional system and attempting to increase nitrogen fertility will usually result in lodging. Likewise, starting with a high-input system and deciding late in the season to abandon your plan will result in losing the previously applied inputs. Choose a system that fits your production needs and manage the crop accordingly.