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Wheat Cropping Ideas

  1. A strong biological soil is the backbone of maximum production of both yield and quality in any crop. Benefits of increased biological activity in the soil are:

  1. Water Penetration and holding capacity by promoting increased soil flocculation. As the microorganisms move about in the soil in search of their food they restructure the soil by pushing the particles around. These particles are then held in place by the fungal hyphae and the polysaccharides that are exudates from the bacteria and other organisms resulting in a soil structure or crumb structuring of the soil.
  2. Increased nutrient availability to the plant by oxygenating the soil and thus stimulating more root development along with an increase in nutrient mineralization.
  3. Suppression of soil borne diseases and root feeding nematodes due to competitive exclusion.

  1. BioBase at 1 quart and Plus E at 6 ounces per acre in the fall:

  1. BioBase is product that provides food substrates, enzymes and bio stimulants to the beneficial aerobic microorganisms in the soil. While BioBase stimulates the complete soil food web Plus E provides an enzyme package that works more particularly with the fungal activity. Thus providing a stubble or crop residue breakdown recycling the nutrients or energy used to grow the previous crop. We know that 50% to 60% of the energy used to grow the crop is left in the field as residue and roots.
  2. Application may be made through the irrigation system, impregnating on a dry fertilizer blend, adding to a liquid fertilizer blend, or sprayed directly onto the soil or crop residue before or after tillage.
  3. Timing of application can be done any time just before or after harvest is complete. If fall fumigation is planned a 21 day waiting period is necessary. Break down of crop residue is a function of biological activity and thus requires moisture and warm soil temperature and as such the earlier fall applications will prove most beneficial.
  4. As crop residue is a function of soil biological activity the residue must be in contact with the soil for any biological action to occur. Any place the residue does not contact the soil prevents the microorganisms from doing their work.
  5. Applying 4 ounces per acre Microdigest along with the BioBase an d Plus E will increase the biological degradation of the residues in the soil. Microdigest is an inoculum of specific micro organisms that were selected for their ability to degrade crop and toxic residues.

  1. BioBase at 1 quart per acre in the spring:

  1. BioBase stimulates the complete beneficial soil food web using food substrates, enzymes, and bio stimulants but enhances more the beneficial bacterial activity.
  2. Application can be made, as with BioBase and Plus E, either through the irrigation, impregnating on a dry fertilizer blend, added to a liquid fertilizer blend or sprayed directly onto the soil.
  3. Timing of application can be any time that works easiest into the cultural practices of the grower. Keep in mind that the earlier the biology is kicked into gear in relation to the crop growth the sooner the benefits and advantages will be available to the new growing crop.

  1. Fertigation-Irrigated Wheat

  1. Because wheat is a low budget crop, extensive fertilization can become costly. There are many differences between fall and spring planted crops, one of which is the extent or amount of root development. Spring planted wheat does not have the root system of fall planted and as such growers will need to be more aggressive earlier in Nitrogen fertilization.
  2. Soil sampling periodically throughout the season for Nitrogen and applying to maintaining 50 lbs in the top foot will sustain adequate nutrients until flag leaf stage.
  3. At Flag leaf a tissue sample should be taken and a foliar mix to supply the deficient nutrients, usually Calcium, Boron, and Potassium, should be applied.
  4. Also at flag leaf apply about 20 lbs of Nitrogen to give the wheat a boost in energy to fill out big fat kernels.
  5. Protein boosting in the hard red wheat can be accomplished by applying a foliar of liquid Urea, up to 5 gallon, along with 5 pints of Modern Ag Products Nitrogen at the sticky doe stage.

  1. Fertilization on Dryland Wheat

  1. Fall at planting
  1. Pre-plant application of 50-75 lbs N and 10-20 lbs S or 2-3 gallons of Modern Ag Products (MAP) Nitrogen and ½ -1 gallon of MAP Sulfur.
  2. Apply 1 quart MAP Sup-O-Phos along with 6 ounces MAP RootMax and 1 ounce Galaxy in sufficient water to allow adequate application directly over the seed.
  3. Apply 3 Gallons MAP Pop-Up and 1 ounce Galaxy per acre directly over the seed.
  1. Spring Fertilization
  1. Depending upon the estimated total season moisture available a top dressing to stimulate growth of about 15-20 lbs of Nitrogen.
  2. An alternative to the top dressing would be to apply a Modern Ag Products foliar of 2 quarts of Nitrogen and 1 quart of VitaMax possibly with 1 pint of Sup-O-Phos.
  1. Mid Season Foliar
  1. A mid season foliar of 1 quart VitaMax per acre will give the crop a boost to set and fill as many kernels as possible.