{"id":1573,"date":"2019-03-08T15:32:50","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T15:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/?p=1573"},"modified":"2019-03-08T15:32:50","modified_gmt":"2019-03-08T15:32:50","slug":"nitrogen-and-texas-wheat-grain-production-topdress-n-timing-is-critical-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/texasrowcrops\/2019\/03\/08\/nitrogen-and-texas-wheat-grain-production-topdress-n-timing-is-critical-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cNitrogen and Texas Wheat Grain Production\u2014Topdress N Timing is Critical\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Dr. Calvin Trostle, Extension Agronomy, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, Lubbock, 806-746-6101, ctrostle@ag.tamu.edu<\/a>; Dr. Jake Mowrer, Extension Soil Fertility, TAMU Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, College Station, 979-845.5366, jake.mowrer@tamu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Twelve Common Grower Questions about N for Wheat Grain<\/em><\/p>\n

Soil & Crop Sciences extension has finalized a new publication for Texas wheat. Nitrogen topdress timing involves recognizing the key jointing growth stage in wheat, and understanding when conditions may merit earlier application of topdress N.\u00a0 Much of the discussion in the new document is presented in the context of twelve common grower questions about N for wheat grain<\/u>, a subtitle of the publication.<\/p>\n

Currently in 2018 topdress applications are well underway.\u00a0 Unfortunately, most producers are waiting for the next rain\u2014which appears sparse\u2014to get N movement into the root zone.<\/p>\n

The new publication is posted at https:\/\/varietytesting.tamu.edu\/wheat<\/a> as well as our wheat page at the Lubbock Center, https:\/\/lubbock.tamu.edu\/wheat<\/a><\/p>\n

What is the most important growth stage in wheat?\u00a0 We believe it is the point at head size is set.\u00a0 Thus, a key element in our discussions with Texas wheat growers is an improved understanding of jointing in wheat, and why it is important<\/u> (Fig. 1). \u00a0And in discussing jointing, it is what is happening unseen down in the wheat stem, probably near the soil line that really matters.<\/p>\n

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Figure 1. Sliced wheat stem reveals young growing point differentiation with hollow stem to the right. Spikelet number and seeds per spikelet is likely complete.<\/p><\/div>\n

What you visually see in the field is \u2018jointing,\u2019 that is, you notice a few stems coupled with erect growth.\u00a0 If you rub the lower stem between your thumb and forefinger you may feel a small \u2018bee-bee,\u2019 or node, within the stem.\u00a0 This means the growing point for that individual stem is differentiating, i.e., the growing point has switched over from producing another leaf to now determining potential head size (spikelet number, potential seeds per spikelet, Fig. 1).\u00a0 This is an important component of yield potential.\u00a0 Because this process for an individual head only lasts about 7 to 10 days, when you see the first few joints then most of the rest of the field has probably initiated growing point differentiation.<\/p>\n

A sampling of the 12 questions in the topdressing guide:<\/p>\n