For the safe cultivation of winter wheat, it is necessary to understand its features, adhere to the basic rules for care and sowing, observe the sowing time, and also study all phases of crop development.
History of origin and distribution
Winter wheat has been grown for a long time in Russia. Where she came to us from and how she appeared, no one can say. One thing is known - this ancient type of cereal was one of the first mastered by man. The most ancient grains of winter wheat were found by archaeologists in Switzerland and Hungary.
From time immemorial, our ancestors have grown cereals not only for personal needs, but also for the exchange of goods, and later for trade.
Now winter wheat is the most common crop in the world. Vast areas of land are allocated for its cultivation. There are about 250 varieties of it and there are several thousand varieties. Thanks to the efforts of breeders, winter wheat is moving further and further north and "captures" new territories.
The main crops are in Eurasia and America (North and South), or rather in the territory:
- France;
- Great Britain;
- Russia;
- Italy
- Spain;
- Romania;
- China
- India
- Turkey;
- USA;
- Canada;
- Australia.
To a lesser extent, wheat is grown in Africa - South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Oceania. Such a wide distribution in different climatic zones is explained by a huge selection of varieties, as well as good adaptive ability.
In Russia, wheat is mostly grown in the North Caucasus District, the Central Black Earth Region and the Volga Region. However, the area of its distribution is much wider - from the Tyumen to the Leningrad region.
National economic significance
Why are there so many areas dedicated to this particular culture? Winter wheat is prized for its nutritional value. The composition of the grain meets all the necessary requirements to meet human needs. It has:
- protein;
- starch;
- fats;
- ash substances;
- vitamins of group B, PP, E;
- provitamins, that is, the precursors of vitamins A and D - carotene and ergosterol.
Calorie content 100 g of wheat bread from premium flour is 250 kcal, the calorie content of a piece of fatty meat (pork) of the same weight is 240 kcal.
Application methods:
- For the production of flour for bread and bakery products, since winter wheat is mainly a "soft" crop. It produces flour of the highest quality, the fiber content of which is not less than 28%. Wheat flour bread is tasty and nutritious.
- For pastry production and to a lesser extent for pasta. To produce high-quality pasta, on the contrary, flour from durum wheat is required.
- For the manufacture of concentrated feed, wheat bran for all types of agricultural animals. Chopped straw, sometimes flavored with molasses, fed to cattle.
- Good stocking material. In early spring, winter wheat is used as a green forage.
- For crop rotation. It is a good precursor for other plants.
- In the processing industry. Alcohol, starch, dextrin and other substances are obtained from grain. Straw is used for the production of paper, mats, household items.
What is the difference between winter wheat and spring wheat?
The main differences in wheat forms:
- Winter crops are more demanding on soil and moisture. For good rooting, the seeds are sown in fertile land rich in macro- and microelements. With a lack of minerals, the yield indicator decreases.
The following types of soils are most suitable for its cultivation - chernozems, chestnut and slightly podzolic soils. Spring varieties are very sensitive to increased acidity of the soil, but more drought tolerant. Winter wheat uses autumn and spring rainfall to the maximum, which provides it with high productivity compared to spring. - Sowing term. Spring wheat varieties are sown in early spring, while winter wheat varieties are planted before winter (hence the name itself). Depending on the region, sowing starts in late summer and ends in October.
Morphological features
Winter wheat is an annual representative of the Myatlikov family. It is an erect cereal plant that reproduces by grains. The culture has a fibrous root system located close to the surface of the soil, but the roots can penetrate 120-200 cm deep.
The stem-straw in the section is round, hollow inside. It is divided along its entire length by nodes - annular thickenings into 5-6 internodes. The length of each increases as the plant grows. The thickness of the stem is different. The smallest in the upper part, the largest in the middle. From the underground stem nodes, lateral shoots appear.
The leaves are long, lanceolate with parallel veins. The number of leaves and their size depends on a number of factors - soil fertility, weather conditions, varieties.
In winter, leaves are of two types:
- basal leaves are formed from underground nodes;
- stem - on the aerial part of the plant - one leaf leaves the node, from below it is twisted into a tube and covers part of the stem.
An inflorescence is an ear, which consists of a spikelet, which is a continuation of the stem, and individual spikelets. Flowering comes from the center and spreads up and down simultaneously. The plant is self-pollinated. In cloudy weather, the bloom is closed, in sunny weather - open. After flowering on the ears, fruits are formed - bare grains.
Biological features
Winter crops are one of the most fastidious crops for weather conditions and external factors - soil, temperature, light. In some years, with weather anomalies, most of the crops can die.
Shine
She belongs to the plants of a long day, she needs a lot of light. Thanks to photosynthesis, which takes place only under the sun's rays, nutrients are accumulated in it. With the optimal amount of light, the plant shrubs, the leaves are painted green. The following signs indicate a lack of sunlight:
- proliferation of the lower internode;
- tillering leaf is formed in the lower part, which affects the winter hardiness of the plant;
- with a spring lack of light - wheat is pulled and lodged;
- during the period of grain ripening and filling, an insufficient amount of light leads to a deterioration in the quality of the crop. This is usually observed in thickened plantings.
Temperature
The plant requires a different temperature range during different growth periods. In general, winter wheat is a medium-hardy crop that can withstand temperatures as low as -25 ° C if snow is present. In the absence of snow, the sprouts die already at 16-18 ° C frost.
Seeds germinate at a temperature of 1-2 ° C above zero, but 12-15 ° C of heat is considered optimal for normal growth. Sowing begins when the average daily air temperature is within 14-17 ° C.
Plants that have had time to blossom well (to form 2-4 shoots) are distinguished by a high indicator of frost resistance. In the overgrown, which managed to grow 5-6 shoots in the fall, frost resistance decreases. Often they do not survive the winter - they die or are damaged.
Wheat growth resumes in the spring. During this period, the optimum temperature is 12-15 ° C heat. If the thermometer column steadily creeps up and exceeds the mark of + 25 ° C, then this will adversely affect the growth phases.
A little above 15-16 ° C requires a plant to stalk. However, frosts (minus 7-9 ° C) damage the main stem and the plant dies.
During the flowering period, it is enough that the temperature is in the range of 18-20 ° C. At higher - 35-40 ° C and low air humidity, the grain becomes smaller and becomes shriveled. The optimum temperature for pouring grain is 22-25 ° C.
Moisture
The plant is demanding of water throughout the growing season. But its consumption is uneven and depends on the growth phase, climatic conditions and planting density. During the period of seed germination and emergence of seedlings, a large amount of moisture is needed. Otherwise, planting will be rare.
Productive tillering is also negatively affected by the lack of water in the soil during the tillering period. The stem period or tube exit is critical to moisture. With its lack, the graininess of the spike decreases, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in crop volumes. On the other hand, with prolonged wetting, plant growth is inhibited.
Development phases of winter wheat
The following phases of growth of winter wheat are distinguished:
- The emergence of seedlings. Seed germination is most intensively observed at a temperature of 20-25 ° C. In this case, seedlings appear on the 7-9th day. But for a more friendly appearance of sprouts, a lower temperature is needed - 12-17 ° C of heat.
Thus, the duration of the germination phase is extended by 15-25 days under normal conditions. With a later sowing, the plant manages to grow 1-3 leaves before winter. In the spring the sprouting phase will continue, but its duration, taking into account the period of winter dormancy, increases to 100-150 days.
The main agrotechnical task of specialists is to increase the seed germination rate up to 80-90%. According to statistics, in most farms this indicator is at the level of 50-70%, that is, no more than half of the planted seeds germinate. - Tillering. This is a biological feature of cereal crops, that is, the plant has lateral sprouts and nodal roots. Wheat bushes both in autumn and spring. This process begins after the formation of the 3-4th leaf. When the temperature drops to 6-10 ° C heat, sufficient humidity and cloudiness, the plant growth slows down, but it begins to grow more intensively.
The introduction of nitrogen fertilizers and the size of the seeds during sowing also have a positive effect on tillering - the larger they are, the better the plant will bush. Under favorable conditions, one plant forms 3-5 stems. The tillering node is the main organ. When damaged, the plant dies. - Stalking (going into the tube). The formation of the first stem node, which occurs 25-35 days after the onset of spring growth, is considered to be the beginning of the stemming or stemming phase. It is located at a height of 2-5 cm from the soil surface, but it must be borne in mind that cold and cloudy weather inhibits plant growth.
- Earing. 30 days after entering the tube, earing begins - the ear emerging from the sheath of the upper leaf. The intensity of this phase depends on the amount of moisture and nutrients in the soil. The same period is most favorable for treating crops with fungicides in order to prevent the development of various diseases.
- Bloom. 2-3 days after heading, winter wheat blooms. Flowering time - about 1 week.
- Maturation. This is the formation and filling of grain, the duration of which largely depends on the variety and weather conditions. Cool and rainy weather increases it, while dry weather decreases it.
Winter wheat varieties
When choosing a particular variety for a particular region, take into account:
- winter hardiness;
- drought resistance;
- exactingness to the type of soil;
- immunity to disease;
- yield.
Winter wheat of a few hard varieties is grown only in the North Caucasus and the Lower Volga region. Soft varieties are common throughout Russia.
Suitable for the North Caucasus region:
- Shestopolavka;
- Kherson restless;
- Anniversary 75 and 105;
- Podolyanka and others.
For the Northwest District:
- Astron
- Galina;
- Zentos;
- Mironovskaya anniversary;
- Thoras.
For the Central Region:
- Angelina;
- Bezenchukskaya 616;
- Nemchinovskaya 17, 24 and 57;
- Moscow 40, 56;
- Dawn.
Suitable for the Volga-Vyatka region:
- Bashkir 10;
- Helot;
- Kazan 285 and 560;
- Amber 50.
In the Central Black Earth region, they grow:
- Scarlet Dawn;
- Antonovka;
- Belgorod 12, 16;
- Chernozemka 88 and 115;
- Chornyavu and others.
In the Middle Volga region:
- Basis;
- Volzhskaya 16;
- Kharkovskaya 92;
- Tarasovskaya 70 and others;
For the Lower Volga are intended:
- Aelita;
- Bulgun;
- Rostovchanka 3, 5, 7;
- The dark woman and others.
In the Ural region they sow:
- Bashkirskaya 10;
- Volzhskaya K;
- Kalach 60;
- The pearl of the Volga region and others;
In the West Siberian region:
- Volzhskaya K;
- Volzhskaya C 3;
- Harvest of Altai;
- Winter;
- Omsk 4, 5;
- Novosibirskaya 32.
In the East Siberian District are growing:
- Novosibirsk 2, 3, 40 and 51;
- Omsk Winter;
- Priirtyshskaya.
Wheat is also grown in the Far East:
- Moscow 39;
- Omsk Winter.
The Scepter winter wheat variety is intended for cultivation throughout Russia, with the exception of the northern district — these are the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, the Republic of Karelia and Komi.
Dates and seeding rates
Sowing in the regions starts at different times. So, in the northern regions, wheat is sown, starting from the 1st decade of August, a little later (from the 2nd decade of August) to crops in the Central region. In early autumn - in the Black Earth Region and southern regions of Russia. In the North Caucasus, sowing is carried out until mid-October.
Also, experts calculate the sowing rate of grain separately for each region. On average, for 1 ha, the norm is 2.7-5.7 million seeds.
Sowing technology
The winter wheat sowing technology includes several stages:
- The choice of a place for sowing, taking into account the crop rotation. The best predecessors for her will be vegetables and perennial legumes, corn for silage, legumes, as well as black or pure fallow.
- Tillage and fertilizing. Organic and mineral fertilizers are introduced, special attention is paid to nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
- Seed preparation for sowing. High-quality seeds with a germination rate of at least 92% are selected. They are pickled to increase germination and protect against various pathogens. Microfertilizers are used to increase the resistance of plants to unfavorable conditions.
- Sowing. It is carried out in three ways:
- narrow row - with row spacing of 7-8 cm;
- solid private - leaving a distance between the rows of 15 cm;
- cross method, but it is practically not used.
The depth of seed placement depends on the type of soil. On heavy loamy and clayey soils, it is 3-4 cm. On light, sandy, arid soils, the depth of planting is 7-8 cm.
Crop care and harvesting
Crop care involves 3 procedures:
- Post-sowing rolling. The method is not used in rain or on clay soils. It helps to improve seed-to-soil contact, reduce moisture loss and promote a more friendly emergence.
- Early spring harrowing. It is necessary for loosening the soil and preventing the germination of weed grass.
- Crop protection. In spring, seedlings are fed with nitrogen fertilizers and microelements. Specially designed industrial formulations are used for each phase. If the field is clogged with weeds, then the treatment with herbicides is carried out from the beginning of tillering to the phase of coming out into the tube.
Harvesting of winter wheat is carried out during the period of full maturity of the grain (wax ripeness). Direct combining is usually used, as it minimizes grain loss. The maximum cleaning time is 10 days.
However, if the field is clogged, separate collection is used. In this case, the moisture content of the grain should be within 30%, which will help to avoid severe shedding. And also this method is used if the wheat has grown thick and tall.
In the video presented, a leading practitioner talks about growing winter wheat:
Diseases, pests and prevention
Crop diseases can be reduced by parasitic diseases and pests. Winter wheat is susceptible to many diseases:
- ascochitosis;
- powdery mildew;
- Fusarium spike and Fusarium root rot;
- snow mold;
- brown rust;
- ofiobolous root rot;
- Septoria of leaves and ears;
- hard, dusty and stem smut.
Of the pests, the greatest harm is caused by:
- bread beetles;
- kuzka bread beetle;
- aphid;
- the larvae of the Hessian fly (mosquito) and the individuals themselves;
- cereal flies;
- bread drunk.
To combat adversity, special formulations are used. All processing activities are carried out at the sowing stage. If the number of insects exceeds the permissible rate, then the fields are re-treated with insecticides. To reduce the negative impact on the plant, Aminokat 10 or 30% is used in parallel with them.
Favorable and unfavorable factors
There are a number of factors that affect the yield of winter wheat, both positively and negatively.
Increased yield
The yield index can be increased if you follow the following recommendations:
- alternation of crop rotation, selection of the correct predecessors;
- introduction of optimal doses of mineral and organic fertilizers;
- high-quality cultivation of land before sowing;
- correctly selected variety;
- timely treatment of plants from pests and diseases.
Reduced yield
Several factors negatively affect the yield indicator:
- biological - the use of varieties that are not immune to diseases and pests, prone to culling and shedding;
- agronomic - improperly selected variety for a particular region, errors in the timing of sowing and harvesting;
- technical - design flaws of machines, which entails poor-quality plowing, harrowing the land or collecting grain;
- other factors - most of the harvest can be lost due to improper storage, as well as if the grain is infected with a pest.
Storage conditions
By creating optimal storage conditions, almost the entire harvest of winter wheat can be preserved without loss of grain quality. To minimize losses, the grain should be dried and its humidity should not exceed 12%. Store it at + 12 ° C. Check regularly for microorganisms and pests.
Winter wheat is a culture that has become widespread not only in the food industry, but also in many other industries. However, a rich harvest can only be obtained with proper care and following all the recommendations for growing wheat.