Don’t Panic When Wheat Fields Are Confused—China Agricultural University Steps In to Offer Answers

If you want high wheat yields, China Agricultural University has some tips for you.

Have you implemented the “one spray, three protections” strategy for wheat?

With the arrival of Li Xia, marking the beginning of summer, the weather is transitioning from mild to hot, and wheat growth is gradually entering its mid-to-late stages. At present, in many regions, wheat is generally developing well; however, as rainfall increases, diseases and pests such as Fusarium head blight, powdery mildew, stem base rot, aphids, and hot, dry winds are also entering their peak incidence period. As the saying goes, “One bout of wheat disease can leave farmers working in vain.” Therefore, farmers who have not yet carried out the “one spray, three protections” treatment should promptly complete this supplementary practice before outbreaks occur, effectively guarding against wheat diseases, insect infestations, and hot, dry winds, with the aim of achieving high yields and increased income. The “one spray, three protections” approach for wheat has been implemented for many years, and its effectiveness has been widely recognized.

Early prevention of frost damage to wheat hinges on applying adequate freeze‑protection irrigation.

Before we know it, it’s already late November, and the weather is growing colder. How can wheat safely survive the winter? Many farmers are aware that irrigating wheat can help prevent frost damage, but how can they apply freeze‑protection irrigation most effectively? Let’s take a look. The benefits of applying freeze‑protection irrigation to wheat are as follows: First, it ensures an adequate supply of soil moisture during the overwintering period, which helps consolidate pre‑winter tillering and promotes the development of new tillers. Second, it serves as “winter water for spring use,” helping maintain favorable soil moisture in early spring after the onset of warmer weather, delaying the first spring fertilization and irrigation, and enabling more proactive management to foster robust seedlings. Third, it accelerates the decomposition of crop residues; currently, most wheat growers employ the practice of directly returning corn straw to the field, and during this decomposition process, it requires a…

“Wheat in two stages of vigorous growth”—how can we prevent excessive vegetative growth before winter?

As the saying goes, “Wheat that grows too vigorously before winter is undesirable.” Excessive vegetative growth in wheat seedlings prior to winter can advance the reproductive phase, reduce nutrient accumulation, and weaken cold tolerance, all of which are detrimental to safe overwintering. So, what should be done about overly vigorous pre-winter growth? And how can it be prevented? Types of overly vigorous wheat seedlings before winter and corresponding management measures: When sown too early, weak seedlings develop narrow, drooping leaves and insufficient tillering; the main stem and some of the larger tillers enter the two-ridge stage of spikelet differentiation before winter. Such vigorously growing seedlings often exhibit a pattern of initial vigor followed by weakness; when exposed to low temperatures around –10°C for about five hours during winter, they are prone to frost damage. Management measures: timely rolling. Rolling helps suppress the growth of the main stem and large tillers, thereby controlling excessive elongation.

Precautions for Autumn Sowing of Wheat

The autumn equinox has passed, and October is just around the corner. Farmers in wheat-growing regions are already busy with autumn sowing and planting. However, in recent years, warm winter weather has led to early sowing, resulting in poor yields. Sowing too early can cause frost damage before winter, which hinders both quality and high productivity; sowing too late, on the other hand, is detrimental to yield increases. Timely late sowing of winter wheat promotes robust growth before winter and ensures safe overwintering. Practice has shown that achieving high yields requires strict attention to soil preparation and sowing quality. Below, we’ll walk you through the key steps in the wheat-sowing process. 1. Seed Preparation: First, select high-quality wheat varieties based on local climate conditions and soil characteristics, and be sure to sun-dry the seeds before sowing.

Why is it necessary to sun-dry wheat seeds before sowing?

Before planting winter wheat, taking preparatory measures such as selecting high‑quality seeds, sunning the seeds, and applying seed coatings is the most critical task in the pre‑sowing stage. Many farmers are unclear why sunning the seeds is necessary; let’s explore this issue further. Why should wheat seeds be sunned before sowing? Sunning helps prevent mold and insect infestation, promotes after‑ripening, and enhances both germination vigor and germination rate, thereby fostering robust seedlings and boosting yields. Trials have shown that sunned seeds exhibit a germination rate 14.6% to 17% higher than unsunned seeds, with an average yield increase of 14.5% per mu. The benefits of sunning wheat seeds before sowing: First, it improves the germination rate and strengthens germination vigor. When wheat seeds become damp, the area near the seed coat…