General Production Information Wheat: Acreage, Average Yield and Production. 2007 (1)

A timely planted wheat crop germinates, emerges, and tillers before winter dormancy begins in December. Autumn dry matter production and nitrogen (N) requirements are low, but 20-30 lb N/ac is needed to establish the crop and promote root growth and tiller production. This reduces winter-kill and enhances nutrient and moisture use during spring growth. Excessive fall growth from over-fertilization with N can produce wheat susceptible to disease and winterkill. Over-fertilization with N also increases the potential for leaching losses during dormancy. Wheat uses little N during winter dormancy. Wheat breaks dormancy and resumes growth ("greenup") in late February or early March. The no-till system has been employed successfully for wheat since 1980. In Delaware research trials, yield for no-till wheat was within 0.6 bu/A of the yield of conventionally planted wheat. In all cases, the key to a successful no-till small grain system is good management. Good management involves the selection and calibration of a no-till drill, proper lime and fertilizer planning, careful variety and seeding rate selection, and attention to weed, disease, and insec