By Scout Nelson
Wheat fields seeded between April 21 and 26 in northwest Minnesota experienced two major rain events shortly after planting. These rains led to ponding in many areas, impacting the germination process. Since seeds take in water first during germination, excess water often leads to seed rot instead of growth, resulting in patchy emergence and below-average stands.
Evaluating the initial stand is important before deciding to replant. If the stand is evenly reduced across the field, with 15 to 17 plants per square foot and no major gaps, replanting is not necessary. The wheat crop still has enough time to tiller and make up for thinner stands, especially if temperatures stay cool.
However, replanting should be considered when there are noticeable skips or bare patches. Fields with large skips ranging from 3 to 6 feet or holes 4 to 6 feet in diameter may not recover naturally and should be filled in.
To estimate the plant population, two easy methods are recommended:
- Count the number of plants at the foot of row at different places in the field. Calculate the average and refer to conversion charts to estimate the plant population per acre.
- Drop a hula-hoop at random spots in the field. Count the plants within the hoop, repeat at several locations, and use a table to convert the average count into a population estimate.
“Even temporary ponding is too much of a good thing and will generally result in the seed rotting rather than sprouting,” the report noted, emphasizing the need for timely field evaluation.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-ygrek
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Wheat, Weather