Wheat Management to Maximize Yield Potential

• Wheat uses 1.1-1.5 pounds of nitrogen for each bushel of expected yield and utilizes 70-75% of the total nitrogen requirement between Feekes growth stage 6 and stage 10. The greatest amount of nitrogen should be available at that time.
• 70+ tillers/ft2, apply nitrogen at Feekes growth stage 4 and stage 5 (prior to jointing).
• 100-140 lbs/acre of nitrogen spring-applied is recommended.
  • High rates of nitrogen may cause lodging in certain varieties. Avoid overlaps in application.
  • If a high rate of nitrogen is planned, consider a split application of 40 lbs/acre before green up and another 60 lbs/acre at Feekes growth stage 4 and stage 5 (prior to jointing).
• Do not delay nitrogen application on a marginal stand of wheat. If stands are thin and tiller counts are low, an early application of nitrogen can induce tillering and consequently increase the number of heads/ft². In this situation, a split application may help. Apply 60 lbs/acre of nitrogen for a first application (before greenup) and another 40 lbs/acre at Feekes growth stage 4-5 (before jointing).
• A split application of nitrogen is suggested and has shown positive yield results, especially on light or sandy soils.
• Nitrogen application rates may be reduced if fields have a history of manure application.
• If a stand is destroyed, credit 50-75% of applied nitrogen to a subsequent corn crop (depending on growth stage).
• What form of nitrogen should be used? The form of nitrogen is not as important as how accurately it is applied. Apply a uniform rate across the entire application width and avoid application methods that may burn the leaves which could reduce yield (such as 28% solution applied with herbicides). Common forms of nitrogen used include: ammonium sulfate, urea, and 28% solution.

• Insects: Scouting is critical. If aphid populations exceed thresholds (10 per foot of row with early green up and good conditions) a treatment should be applied to protect from barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV).
• Diseases: A good crop with high yield potential and high wheat prices will increase the probability of an economic benefit to fungicide application. 100+ bu/acre wheat is thick and does not get a lot of air movement within the canopy - a perfect environment for disease if the weather also remains wet and provides a favorable environment for disease.
• Apply DuPont™ Aproach^® fungicide at 3-4 fl oz/acre between tillering and jointing for early-season disease control/suppression.
• For optimal yield and flag-leaf disease control, apply DuPont™ Aproach^® Prima fungicide at 6.8 fl oz/acre at Feekes stage 9.
• Weeds: Start clean, stay clean! Keep fields clean early and do not let weeds get too big. Use a burn down herbicide well before planting in no-till environments to eliminate weeds and volunteer corn. Use multiple tillage passes in a conventional tillage program if needed to start clean. The best weed control after seeding is a good stand of wheat.
• Recommendation: Quelex^® herbicide with Arylex™ active. Apply 0.75 ounces of Quelex herbicide per acre to actively growing wheat from 2-leaf to flag leaf emergence stage. For best results, apply when weeds are actively growing in the 2 to 4 leaf stage or less than 4 inches tall. Be sure to read and follow all label directions.
• Do not apply a total of more than 0.75 oz of Quelex herbicide per acre per season. Consider the fall weed management program before proceeding with spring treatments.
• Consult your local Pioneer sales professional or Corteva Agriscience™ crop protection representative for local, specific recommendations.

Source: Texas Agricultural Extension Service; The Texas A&M University System.