Considerations for Kentucky Wheat Planting
Conner Raymond; Grain Crops Extension Associate, Princeton, KY
Carrie Knott; Director of UK Research and Education Center
Lloyd Murdock; Professor Emeritus, Princeton, KY
As September ends and October begins, wheat planting will begin across Kentucky. Producers have already made several agronomic decisions such as variety selection, tillage practices and herbicide selection, it is always beneficial to go back and look at the fundamentals of planting.
Planting Date
In Kentucky, the recommended wheat planting dates are between October 10th and October 30th. In normal years, this period allows for adequate fall growth for winter hardiness but is also late enough for plants to be less prone to fall disease and insect infestations. The hessian fly free date should also be observed for your region. Although, in the last ten years at Princeton, we have not met the requirements of five days with a low below 40°F until after the recommended planting date in every year except 2012 (see chart 1). If soil temperatures are adequate, typically above 40°F but optimum temperatures are above 54°F, plants should emerge seven to ten days after planting.
Late Planting -
· Diminished fall growth
· Generally, suffers more winter damage such as heaving
· Less tillers are produced which leads to yield reduction
Early Planting -
· Excessive fall growth
· Potential for more winter injury
· Increased risk of spring freeze injury
· Increased risk of fall disease infection, aphids, and hessian fly infestation
Chart 1: Highlighted in green on the calendar is the hessian fly free date for Princeton, KY. Highlighted in yellow are the days Princeton has reached the requirements of five days with a low temperature below 40°F from 2011-2021.
Seeding Depth
Generally, seeding depth should be between 1 ½ and 2 inches, but never deeper than 2 inches. When planting deeper than 2 inches emergence can be delayed and when planting shallower than ½ inch emergence and germination can be un-uniform. When planting into a thick residue, be sure to stop and ensure seed is not hair-pinned. Hair-pinning occurs when residue is not cut through with planting equipment and seed is trapped in the residue causing little or no seed to soil contact. With minimal seed to soil contact, germination and emergence will be significantly reduced. A good rain prior to planting is recommended but not always possible.
· Ideal planting depth is between 1 ½ - 2 inches
· Shallower planting depth leads to un-uniform emergence and germination
· Deeper planting depth leads to delayed emergence
· When planting in thick residue, check for hair-pinned seed
Seeding Rate
Seed size in wheat varies dramatically between varieties and is also influenced by production environment. For proper establishment, seeding rate should be determined as number of seeds per unit area (per square foot or linear row foot). Optimum seeding rate for Kentucky is 35 seeds per square foot or 1,524,600 seeds per acre with an objective of obtaining at least 25 live plants per sq/ft. Seeding rate and seed size are needed to determine how many pounds of seed are needed. It is critically important to calibrate planting equipment before planting.
· Know your varieties seed size to ensure correct seeding rate
· The ideal seeding rate for Kentucky is 1,524,600 seeds/acre or 35 seeds/sq ft
· BE SURE to calibrate planting equipment
Conner Raymond, Grains Extension Associate
Dept of Plant and Soil Science
conner.raymond@uky.edu
348 University Dr. Princeton KY, 42445
Dr. Lloyd Murdock, Emeritus Professor
Dept of Plant and Soil Science
lloyd.murdock@uky.edu
348 University Dr. Princeton KY, 42445
Dr. Carrie Knott, Director of UK Research and Education Center
Dept of Plant and Soil Science
carrie.knott@uky.edu
348 University Dr. Princeton KY, 42445
ID – 125 A Comprehensive Guide to Wheat Management in Kentucky: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/id/id125/id125.pdf