Wet weather can impact the application of nitrogen to winter wheat. Across northwest Missouri, areas are wet whereas others are drying and field work is being attempted at the time of this writing.
Growers whom want to maximize winter wheat yields should target nitrogen application just before first joint. Research conducted by Dr. Peter Scharf, UM State Soil Fertility Specialist, indicates that targeting nitrogen application just before first joint maximizes the opportunity for high yields. The main period of nitrogen uptake is from second joint through flowering in the life of the wheat plant.
Once first joint appears, it’s important to make a push to apply nitrogen. Waiting later when applying nitrogen will result in yield losses.
Research conducted in Columbia indicated that winter wheat which had mid-January applications of nitrogen yielded less than mid-February applications. Mid-February applied nitrogen to winter wheat also yielded less than mid-March applied nitrogen applications.
Weather is always hard to predict. But for high yields, time nitrogen application near the time that winter wheat will need it.
For more information, contact Wayne Flanary at 660-446--3724 or Heather Benedict at 660-425-6434, Regional Agronomists, University of Missouri Extension.
No comments:
Post a Comment