Is it possible to sow wheat in the spring. Features of growing winter wheat. Spring wheat differs from winter varieties

Winter wheat is a cereal crop valued for its high yield and low maintenance. Its grain is used to make cereals, pasta and pastries, and wheat bran is used to feed farm animals. Straw from this variety is also of great nutritional value. In addition, it is added in the manufacture of paper and bedding for animals.

Characteristics of culture and stages of its development

This variety of wheat is called winter because the grains are sown immediately after harvesting the previous crop. When a culture enters the ground, it goes through several stages of development. The intensity of growth depends on the climate, soil composition and other conditions. Experts distinguish 6 phases of development of winter wheat:

1. Seedling is the germination of seeds that occurs after sowing. General term period is from 15 to 25, then the plants enter the winter. If they were planted late, shoots continue in the spring after warming.
2. Tillering is the process of formation of lateral shoots on stems and roots. The bushiness of plants can be affected by the number of seeds that were sown in the ground, as well as the depth of their laying.
3. Tubering is the period that begins when the first node appears on the main stem. The process occurs in the spring, about a month after the resumption of vegetation.
4. Heading - the appearance of spikelets on the shoots.
5. Flowering begins 4-5 days after the appearance of spikelets and lasts about a week. In a separate spike, flowers appear first on the lower part, and then on the lateral and upper ones.
6. Ripening is a long stage during which the grains are formed in spikelets and gradually lose moisture. In 2 weeks grains of milky ripeness (40-60% moisture) appear. Then comes the wax phase of ripeness, the percentage of water in the grains is from 20 to 40%. Full ripeness is the stage when the grain is 15-20% water and becomes hard.

The vegetation period of winter wheat can be from 275 to 350 days, including winter period. This period depends on the time of planting seeds in the ground and climatic conditions. In spring, the processes resume when the temperature reaches 5 ᴼС.

Landing and care technology

The technology of winter wheat cultivation is a long process. Yield increases significantly fertile soils in the presence of constant precipitation in the warm season, as well as in the absence of severe frosts.

Soil and climate requirements

Wheat will give a good harvest on fertile soils, the acidity of which is in the range from 6 to 7.5. Sufficiently moist black soil or other types of soil that contain a large amount of nutrients are suitable for it. The amount of harvest depends on the relief. In low wetlands, plants grow and develop poorly.

Modern varieties of winter wheat are characterized by high frost resistance. In the presence of a good snow layer, these plants can withstand temperatures down to -20-30 ᴼС. However, in the absence of snow, plants can die even at -15 ᴼС.

For such wheat, temperature fluctuations in the spring are especially dangerous. If frosts occur after the vegetation processes have resumed, they can completely destroy the crop.

fertilizers

It is important to fertilize various varieties of winter wheat on time and correctly, otherwise the harvest will turn out to be meager. There are two main ways to apply fertilizer: root dressing (in the ground) and foliar, or foliar. This culture can be fed several times depending on the phase of its vegetation:

• during planting - potassium, phosphorus,;
• nitrogen supplements - in the spring, as they are quickly washed out of the soil.

One of the main ways to improve the quality of the crop by adding fertilizers is foliar top dressing.

Leaf top dressing of winter wheat in spring with urea allows you to get large heavy grains and increase their number. Unlike other ammonia fertilizers (ammonia water and saltpeter), this substance does not burn plants.

Treatment for diseases and weeds

During the germination period, wheat does not develop well if weeds interfere with it. Winter wheat herbicides are chemical solutions that control weeds. Usually they are applied to the soil in April and May, when the activity of unwanted plants increases. Some combine nitrogen fertilization with herbicide treatment.

Diseases of winter wheat are various bacterial lesions (black, yellow, basal bacteriosis), putrefactive processes in the roots, fungal infections (fusarium) and others. For each disease, there are special preparations that are applied to the soil or sprayed with green mass.

Winter wheat is grown in temperate climates. This is a high-yielding crop, the grains and stems of which are used in Food Industry and agriculture. However, the yield will not be high if all the rules for wheat cultivation are not followed. It will only grow well in certain types of soil with a specific fertilization and watering regimen.

Treatment of wheat against weeds and pests - video

Wheat(lat. Triticum) is one of the oldest cereal plants of the flowering department, monocotyledonous class, order of cereals, family cereals.

Description of wheat and photos.

All varieties of wheat have basic characteristics. The height of the wheat stalk reaches 30-150 centimeters. The stems themselves are hollow and erect, with well-marked nodes. From one plant, as a rule, grows up to 12 stems. wheat leaves reach a width of 20 mm, they are flat in shape and most often linear, with parallel veins, fibrous, rough to the touch. Wheat leaf sheaths are pronounced and well developed. Split to the very base of the vagina, they have lanceolate ears at the top. Their tongues are bare and membranous, 0.5 to 3 mm long. The wheat plant has a fibrous root system.

The structure of wheat, ears.

The inflorescence of wheat is a straight, complex spike 4 to 15 cm long, oblong or ovoid. Spike flakes 6-15 mm long are located on the axis of each ear. Ears of wheat are single and adjoin to the axis in two identical rows 5-18 millimeters long, with several closely spaced flowers, which are most often from 2 to 7. The axis of the wheat ear does not contain articulations. A wheat flower has 2 scales and 2 pellicles, 3 stamens, a pistil and 2 stigmas. This structure is typical for the flowers of cereal plants. When wheat ripens, it produces cereal fruits.

Varieties and types of wheat.

There are many varieties of wheat. These plants have a rather complex classification, which includes sections, species and subspecies, as well as about 10 hybrids, both intrageneric and intergeneric. There are the following types of wheat:

• annual
• biennial

Spring and winter wheat - differences.

According to the sowing period, it stands out:

• Spring wheat - sown from March to May, ripens within 100 frost-free days, harvested in early autumn. More drought tolerant than winter wheat, it has excellent baking properties.
• Winter wheat - sown in late summer to mid-autumn, yields in early to mid-summer next year. Gives a higher yield, but prefers areas with a mild climate and snowy winters.

Wheat is soft and hard.

Types of wheat by grain hardness:

• soft wheat- has a wider and shorter spike and a shorter or absent awn. This type is high in protein and gluten. Flour is made from soft wheat.
  • soft spring red-grain wheat - this type includes wheat varieties Altaiskaya 81, Voronezhskaya 10, Lyuba, Moskovskaya 35, etc.
  • soft spring white-grain wheat - this type includes wheat varieties Novosibirskaya 67, Saratovskaya 55, etc.
  • soft winter red-grain wheat - this type includes varieties Donskaya bezostaya, Obriy, Volgogradskaya 84, Yuna, etc.
  • soft winter white-grain wheat - this type includes the varieties Kinsovskaya 3, Albidum 28, etc.
• durum wheat- has spikelets, more tightly fitted with outer films, grains from them do not crumble, but they are more difficult to separate. It has a rich yellow color and a pleasant smell. Durum wheat is used to make pasta.
  • Hard spring wheat (durum) - this type includes varieties Almaz, Orenburgskaya 2, Svetlana, etc.
  • durum winter wheat - this type includes varieties Vakht, Mugans, Parus, etc.

Where does wheat grow?

Wheat grows everywhere except in the tropics, because the variety of specially created varieties allows you to use any soil and climatic conditions. The plant is not afraid of heat, if there is no high humidity, which contributes to the development of diseases. Wheat is a plant so cold-resistant that it is surpassed only by barley and. Soft wheat prefers a humid climate and is common in Western Europe, Russia, Australia. Durum wheat likes a drier climate and is grown in the USA, Canada, North Africa, Asia. Winter wheat prevails in those areas where frost does not damage it, for example, in the North Caucasus, in the Central Black Earth region of Russia. Spring wheat is grown in the Southern Urals, in Western Siberia, in Altai.

Rye and wheat are different.

Rye and wheat are among the most popular and indispensable cereal crops. These cereals have external similarities, but also many differences.

• Wheat varieties are much more diverse than rye varieties.
• Wheat has a wider use than rye.
• The grains have different appearance and chemical composition.
• Wheat makes more demands on soil and climate than.

Growing wheat.

High yields of wheat are achieved with proper preparation for its sowing. The field for wheat is cultivated with cultivators and the surface is leveled to ensure good contact of the wheat seeds with the soil and to obtain simultaneous shoots. Wheat is sown to a depth of 3-5 cm with row spacing of 15 cm.

Wheat is a very moisture dependent plant, and therefore a good harvest requires regular watering. For dry climates, durum wheat varieties are more suitable, they are less whimsical in terms of moisture. The growth of wheat is provided by the application of fertilizers. The sown wheat is harvested by a combine when the grain is fully ripe.

How to germinate wheat grains?

It is very easy to germinate wheat grains at home. The grain must be placed in a glass jar with a volume of 1 liter. It should take no more than 1/4-1/3 banks. Pour water into the jar almost to the brim, soak the grains for 7-8 hours. After that, drain the water through gauze, rinse the wheat and pour fresh water for 3-4 hours. Thus, wheat grains must be washed 2-4 times a day, let the water drain and then put the grains back into the jar. In a day, the seedlings will reach a height of 1-2 mm, and the germinated wheat grains can already be eaten.

How to grow wheat at home?

Green wheatgrass can be obtained by continuing to soak the grains for another 1-2 days. Seedlings 1-2 cm in size must be transplanted into a container with soil. Sprouted wheat grains are laid on the ground and covered with a 1 cm layer of earth on top. The earth must be watered, but not too abundantly. wheat germ ready for use in a few days.

In Russia, they are actively engaged in the cultivation of wheat. This product is used for the preparation of pasta, cereals, bakery products, as well as alcohol. The cultivation technology of this species is complex and includes many features. Only with proper observance of all the subtleties in the process of growing wheat can a rich and high-quality harvest be achieved.

Main regions of cultivation in Russia

Despite the whimsical cultivation, wheat is not very demanding on weather conditions and climate. Due to this characteristic, the cultivation of this crop occurs on the territory of most regions of the state, however, some locations are more suitable for growing grain than others. The leaders in this area are the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories. Together, these regions account for approximately 22% of total share wheat in the state.

The list of leaders also includes the following regions: Kursk, Saratov, Omsk, Voronezh, Volgograd. They also include Altai region. Within the borders of the Urals and Siberia, wheat is also cultivated, but to a lesser extent. These regions produce approximately 2-3% of the total grain.

Features of culture care

The ideal climate for growing wheat is continental, with moderate warm weather. As for the terrain, the steppe is more suitable for agricultural crops, given the fact that large areas are allocated for the cultivation of plants. Experts from the agricultural sector have compiled a list of certain conditions for obtaining a stable and full-fledged harvest.

• In order for the seeds to germinate, the required temperature should be 1-2 degrees Celsius.
• For the formation of the first shoots, the temperature should be slightly higher - from 3 to 4 degrees.
• The plant withstands the lowest possible temperature of -10 degrees, however, only for a short period.
• In order for the seeds to germinate, they need a moisture content of 50 to 60% of water from total weight dry seeds.
• Soil moisture index - from 70 to 75% of the lowest moisture capacity.

These conditions are considered optimal and most favorable for growing plants. They must be familiarized with before planting seeds. The culture does not tolerate high temperatures, which is why a rich harvest in regions with a hot climate cannot be obtained.

At a temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius, many types of baldness begin the process of dying off the stomata.

Varieties

There are many varieties of wheat cultivated in Russia and other countries. All species are divided into two groups - spring and winter. To properly plant and grow a plant, you need to know the difference between these classifications. It lies in the timing of sowing. Spring types of wheat should be sown in the period from early spring to early summer. Winter wheat is sown from the middle of the last summer month until the end of October.

There are also the following differences:

• the vegetation period of winter wheat is approximately 280 days, spring growth grows more actively, 100 days is enough for them;
• baking qualities in spring species are higher;
• winter varieties are more demanding on the composition of the land, spring varieties - on cultivation conditions;
• spring wheat is drought tolerant, while winter varieties are more tolerant of cold snaps and sudden weather changes.

light mode

A significant factor in the cultivation of crops is daylight hours. The key to a rich harvest is a long sunny day, with enough natural light. With its lack, many internodes can begin to form. In this case, the tillering leaf of the plant is formed too close to the surface of the soil. These factors negatively affect the resistance of the crop to insects, pests and weather conditions. The plant's endurance also decreases.

Soil composition

Experienced agronomists are serious about choosing a site for planting a plant. The composition of the soil is also important for a rich harvest. highest quality. Experts note that wheat feels great on sandy and loamy (sod-podzolic) soils. If it is not possible to choose one of the above options, make a choice in favor of peat-bog lowland soils.

Soil index for crop cultivation:

• minimum pH - 5.8;
• humus composition – from 1.8;
• K2O and P2O5 - at least 150 milligrams per kilogram of land.

predecessors

For a bountiful harvest, it is recommended to regularly change the planting site. Repeated crops in one area come to a significant decline in the yield. This happens due to the depletion of the composition of the soil and diseases. The technology of growing this crop includes the obligatory observance of the crop rotation rule. For planting wheat, areas where potatoes or legumes used to grow are ideal. Experts say soil that used to grow grass or cruciferous vegetables is also suitable.

top dressing

The required amount of additional nutrients, as well as their volume, is calculated depending on the composition of the soil and the region of growth. It is also necessary to take into account the type of crop. Nitrogen and phosphorus compounds are used to fertilize winter wheat. Before sowing, a significant part of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers is introduced into the soil. Top dressing in a small amount is added in the fall or early March using a basal technique. Fertilization in the spring stimulates the growth of wheat. And at this time, the plant has a special need for phosphorus, nitrogen, and also sulfur.

Spring varieties of wheat are fertilized during tillering. At the beginning of growth, in the early stages, this species is practically insensitive to mineral fertilizers. Excellent results can be achieved using nitrogen fertilizing. Also, experts use phosphorus mixtures. During the earing period, potassium compounds are added.

How to grow at home?

Given the popularity of the trend healthy lifestyle life, many begin to grow wheat at home. Sprouted grains have many positive qualities and are considered an important part of the diet healthy person. Knowing the method of cultivation, it is not difficult to achieve the desired result.

To grow a plant at home, you will need the following.

• Quality grains that have not been processed with chemical compounds. It is recommended to choose winter wheat.
• It is necessary to prepare a tray made of glass or plastic, metal will not work. Plastic containers must be made from food raw materials. Pallets are also used. If there is no tray, use ordinary glass jars.
• A humidifier will help to achieve the expected result; it is actively used by those who are serious about the process of growing a plant at home and do it all the time. The most common model will be enough.
• You can also not do without clean and fresh water, heated to room temperature.
• If cultivation occurs by sowing in the ground, it is necessary to prepare soil or compost.

How to choose grains?

In specialized stores, you can find wheat that is ideal for sprouting at home. A certified product has an appropriate label, which confirms its quality. If you want to save money, you can buy grain from farmers. In this case, it is very difficult to assess the quality of the product. It is impossible to visually check whether the seeds were treated with chemicals or not. Before buying, be sure to evaluate the condition of the product visually. Pay attention to the size of the seeds, as well as their integrity. The ideal option is smooth and dry grains without mold and other defects. They also need to be the same size.

Harvesting seeds yourself

Those who follow a healthy lifestyle and are engaged in growing wheat at home, instead of buying grains, harvest them themselves. Beginners in this business are wondering how many grains grow from one grain of wheat. From one seed, you can grow a full-fledged spikelet. There are several dozen grains in one ear. With self-harvesting of seed, you can be completely sure of its quality and safety.

If growing conditions are violated, even the highest quality seeds can begin to rot, swelling in water. If you notice mold on the grains, discard them immediately. It is impossible to germinate such material. The cultivation process depends on the variety, however, experts point out one rule for all types of wheat - it is better to slightly underexpose the grains in water to prevent mold formation than to overdo it.

cultivation

After buying, the first step is to soak the grains in water. Before starting, it is important to measure the required amount of seed. If you are using a large tray that measures about 40x40 centimeters, two cups of wheat will be enough. Seeds should cover the bottom of the tray or tray in an even and uniform layer.

Next, the grains are thoroughly washed with cool and clean water. After that comes the soaking process in a bowl using filtered water at room temperature. It is not difficult to calculate the volume of liquid, it should be three times the volume of the seed. Wheat is covered with a lid and left in water for about 10 hours. After the first soaking, the procedure must be repeated, adhering to the above description with one difference - use cooler water for the second and third times. After 10 hours, do the procedure for the last time.

If done correctly, you will notice miniature roots on the seeds. The material is washed. If there are holes in the bottom of the container you will be using for growing, line the bottom with paper towels. They should be white, without patterns and various flavors. Otherwise, the roots may grow through them.

The yield of wheat depends on the variety, climatic conditions, type of soil and adherence to the technology of growing cereals. It includes preparing the soil for planting seeds, meeting the sowing dates, top dressing during the growth period and cultivation. The technology has been developed taking into account the peculiarities of the vegetation of spring and winter varieties.

Description of cereal crop

The wheat plant belongs to the cereals. The height of the stem depends on the variety, and ranges from 30 to 150 cm. One plant can have up to 12 straight stems with pronounced nodes. The shape of the leaves is flat, the width is up to 2.5 cm. The veins are parallel and fibrous. Leaf sheaths are well developed and pronounced.

In the description of wheat, special attention is paid to the ear. Its length also depends on the variety of crop, and varies from 40 to 150 mm.

The shape of the ear is oblong or ovoid. The axis is covered with scales, the length of which reaches 15 mm. Spikelets are located on the axis in two longitudinal and regular rows of the same length.

There are three main stages in how bread grows:

1. The duration of the first depends on the sowing time, and includes the development of the root system, the formation of leaves and tillering.
2. The second stage begins with the exit into the tube, the formation of the stem and ear.
3. The third is the accumulation of nutrients for the ripening of ears. It begins in June-July during flowering, after which the grains are poured and ripen.

A wheat flower consists of lower and upper scales, three stamens, stigmas, two pellicles and a pistil. The upper lemmas are shorter than the lower ones. Caryopses 5 to 10 mm long, dense and thick, hairy. They can be either oval or oblong.

In cold weather, the flowering period can last only 1-2 days. Rapid flowering also occurs in too hot and dry summers. Under favorable conditions (temperature + 26 + 28 ° C and humidity not lower than 25%), the flowering process can last up to 5 days. Duration plays an important role: seed setting depends on it.

All existing varieties of wheat are divided into two large groups: spring and winter.

The main difference between spring and winter wheat in terms of sowing:

• Spring varieties are sown from March to June;
• Winter - from mid-August to late October.

They also differ:

• Vegetation period: for winter varieties about 280 days, for spring varieties - 100;
• Baking properties: they are higher in spring varieties;
• Requirements: winter varieties are more demanding on soil quality, spring varieties are more demanding on growing conditions;
• Stability: spring wheat tolerates drought better, and winter wheat tolerates sudden changes in weather and cold snap.

Wheat cultivation technology

Growing a cereal crop begins with soil preparation. Wheat is planted after predecessor plants:

• legumes;
• Early potatoes;
• Peas;
• Rape;
• Alfalfa;
• Perennial herbs.

Sowing cereal in the same field two years in a row results in an increase in root rot infestation of more than 50%.

The main forms by which land is cultivated for wheat:

• Moldboard plowing to the depth of the arable horizon;
• Surface treatment followed by deepening;
• Spring sowing on stubble.

The seeding rate depends on the sowing time, soil quality, climate and wheat variety. The average sowing depth is 5-6 cm for soft soil and black soil. On other types of soil, they are sown to a depth of 3 to 10 cm.

The harvest period should be as short as possible: short time harvesting the grown grain can reduce losses and ensure the quality of the product.

2 days before threshing, a preliminary assessment of the quality of the cereal is carried out, and according to the results, sorting and formation of batches by class are carried out.

Agro-climatic conditions for winter varieties

The wheat harvest depends on climatic conditions. In Russia the best conditions possesses Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov and Voronezh Regions. But they grow wheat in Altai, and in the regions of Siberia, and in the Urals. This crop is resistant to weather changes. frost, high humidity and drought.

The agro-climatic conditions for growing winter wheat are as follows:

• The minimum air temperature for the beginning of germination is +2+4°C, the maximum is +28+30°C;
• Wheat bushes well at a temperature of + 10 + 22 ° C and soil moisture up to 65%;
• Autumn tillering lasts about 27 days, and stops at temperatures below +3°C;
• Without snow, winter varieties tolerate frosts down to -10°C;
• Spring tillering begins when the air warms up to +5+10°C and lasts 30-32 days;
• The maximum level of soil moisture is 80%;

Heading begins with a daylight hours of 14 hours, soil moisture 65% and a temperature of about + 20 + 25 ° C.

The most favorable soils for winter varieties:

• Chernozem;
• chestnut;
• Loamy sod-podzolic;
• Podzolized dark grey.

• Sandy and sandy soils;
• Heavy loamy and clayey waterlogged soil;
• Poorly drained peatlands.

Agro-climatic conditions for spring varieties

Seeds of spring wheat begin to germinate at a temperature of +1°C, and are able to endure short frosts down to -10°C without loss. The optimum temperature for tillering is +11+23°C, heading and milk grain phase starts at a temperature of +16 to +24°C.

Spring varieties are demanding on soil moisture during tillering and booting. Dry soil will not ensure the proper development of the spikelets, which will lead to a poor harvest. Optimum humidity from 60%. With early sowing of spring grain, tillering naturally falls on favorable weather conditions. At late - additional watering is necessary.

Soil features for spring varieties:

• Slightly acidic soil is well suited;
• Neutral, medium and slightly podzolic soil;
• Chernozem, dark-colored loam and chestnut lands.

Growing wheat on podzolic soils is possible with the introduction of lime, mineral and organic fertilizers.

Features of growing winter wheat

During sowing, steep slopes, lowlands, hills unprotected from the winds should be avoided. Before sowing, the seeds undergo an incrustation procedure. This measure is aimed at preventing smut diseases and root rot. Optimal sowing time:

• Northern regions: from 1 to 15 August;
• Non-chernozem regions: from 10 to 30 August;
• Southeastern and Central Black Earth regions, Forest-steppe part: from August 20 to September 1;
• Lower Volga region and south of the steppe zone: from 1 to 20 September;
• North Caucasus: from September 15 to October 15.

Depending on the climatic conditions of the current season, the timing of sowing work may be shifted.

• Pre-sowing tillage is necessary for:
• Providing suitable density, aeration and soil structure;
• Moisture retention;
• Weed removal.

The soil must be loosened and leveled for uniform seed placement. Landing technology is performed in one of the following ways:

• Linear, with a row spacing of 15 cm;
• Narrow row, width between rows 70 mm;
• Cross, width between rows 150 mm.

Features of growing spring wheat

The technology of cultivation of spring varieties differs in the requirements for temperature conditions, planting dates and crop care.

The physical ripeness of the land for planting wheat begins at a temperature of +5°C. Sowing time:

• Western and Eastern Siberia: May 15-25;
• South Ural: May 14-24;
• Central regions of the Russian Federation: April 10-25;
• Lower Volga region and south of the steppe zone: April 1-15;
• North Caucasus: according to the actual ripeness of the soil.

Sowing operations can be shifted by several days depending on the wheat variety. Soft varieties are more resistant to cold snaps and are often sown first.

The optimal sowing method is narrow-row, which allows increasing the yield by 2-4 q/ha. Minus this method: the seeding rate is increased by 10-13%. The row sowing method allows economical use of seeds and soil resources, but does not guarantee friendly germination. The seeding rate of spring wheat depends on the type of variety. For hard varieties, the grain is heavier and more is required. Low-growing grain varieties resistant to lodging also have a high seeding rate: up to 7 million seeds per ha.

Harrowing is carried out to improve soil aeration, the destruction of hard crust and weeds, to control pests and diseases. The first harrowing is done in the tillering phase across the rows or diagonally to them. Spring varieties are demanding on soil and air moisture. The lack of water during flowering and the formation of pollen reduces the yield by 30-45%, and can lead to empty ears. The strong dryness of the air also negatively affects the harvest: the grain becomes smaller, becomes hard and poor.

Feeding and fertilizing wheat

The optimal amount of fertilizers is calculated based on the composition and condition of the soil, the results of plant diagnostics. Timely application of fertilizers increases soil fertility, productivity and winter hardiness of plants. And the result of the correct application of top dressing is the economical use of soil moisture by wheat.

The main fertilizers for winter wheat are nitrogen and phosphorus. Most of the phosphorus-potassium fertilizing is applied before sowing. And a small part - in the fall or early spring in the basal way. Spring top dressing wheat is necessary for plant growth: during this period, wheat especially needs nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus.

For spring wheat top dressing is carried out on early dates. Nitrogen, phosphate, sulfur and potash fertilizers are applied at the first stage. They contribute to the rapid formation of the leaf, accelerate the growth and development of the plant. The crop is also fertilized at the ripening stage: top dressing increases the productivity of the ear. During this period, wheat is fertilized with nitrogen, phosphates, magnesium and boron.

Growing wheat as a business

Wheat is an important agricultural crop that is used in bread making to produce many food products and in animal husbandry. When planning a cereal growing business, you need to consider:

Purchase, delivery, loading and unloading of fertilizers, physical costs of their application;

• Climatic features of the region;
• Seed transportation;
• Expenses for sowing, cultivation, harrowing;
• Water supply to crop fields;
• Cleaning, transportation and storage of grain;
• Seed treatment before sowing and storage;
• Transportation and stacking of straw;
• Sale of grain.

For the convenience of monitoring the work, technological maps. They are a table that reflects:

• Land areas;
• Number of workers and equipment;
• Turnaround time;
• Scope of work;
• Fuel costs;
• Scheme of planting varieties;
• The amount of crop per hectare;
• Landing dates;
• Timing of fertilizer application.

When drawing up a plan, additional attention should be paid to varieties. The yield of grain depends on them. Wheat varieties are selected based on the characteristics of the soil and climate.

Wheat can be sold independently, sold to resellers or government organizations. Grain is sold both in whole form, and in crushed and flattened (for livestock), seed, in the form of flour. Straw is also in demand: livestock farms buy it for bedding and feed.

Growing wheat at home

Wheat is grown in gardens for personal use, for livestock feed, or as green manure. Siderat is a plant that is planted to enrich the soil with nutrients. Wheat saturates the soil with nitrogen and potassium, makes the earth loose, improves air and water permeability. Especially effective is its planting on heavy soil.

How to grow wheat as green manure: plant the seeds in the soil in the fall about a month before the onset of frost. The grain harvested for sowing is mixed with sand and scattered over the surface of the earth, or planted in grooves located at a distance of 10 cm from each other. The seed scattered over the surface is buried in the ground with a rake. Shoots appear in 6-10 days. When the cereals gain the necessary vegetative mass, they are mowed down and left on the ground in the form of a mulching layer.

Wheat is one of the main grain crops in Russia. The raw material obtained from it is used for baking bakery products, production of cereals, pasta, alcohol. Technologically, growing wheat is a rather complicated procedure. However, careful observance of all cultivation conditions allows you to get very good harvests, including in Russia.

The main regions of cultivation in the Russian Federation

One of the advantages of wheat is its relative undemanding to weather factors. Therefore, this crop is cultivated in many regions of our country. The undisputed leaders in this regard are such areas of wheat cultivation as the Stavropol and Krasnodar Territories. They account for a total of about 22% of the total threshing in the country.

Volgograd, Saratov, Omsk, Kursk, Voronezh regions and Altai are in second place in terms of wheat harvest. The share of each of these regions is about 3-4%. In Siberia and the Urals, about 2-3% of grain is harvested. Growing wheat is also one of the specializations of farmers in the Belgorod, Penza regions and some other regions.

In what other countries are they cultivated

This popular culture is grown in many countries of the world. China produces the most wheat - 126.21 million tons of grain per year. Russia in the list of countries growing this crop is in third place after India. About 60 million tons of grain are produced annually in our country. India produces 95 million tons per year. Russia is followed by the United States. Farmers in this country annually harvest 55.4 million tons. Ukraine is in tenth place in the list of wheat producing countries. About 24.11 million tons per year are threshed in this state.

Conditions for growing wheat

Agricultural crop wheat is quite unpretentious. However, she still prefers a continental climate, warm enough. According to the growing conditions for wheat, steppes are best suited. After all, the areas under this crop are usually allocated very large to obtain good yields. What specific optimal conditions environment wheat is needed, you can see in the table below.

Growing conditions

Parameter	Meaning
Air temperature for seed germination
For the emergence of seedlings on the surface
Sum of temperatures from germination to heading
Minimum allowable temperature (short-term)
Moisture for germination	50-60% water by weight of dry grain
soil moisture	70-75% of the lowest moisture capacity

It is these agro-climatic conditions that are favorable for growing wheat. This culture does not tolerate too high temperatures quite well. Therefore, in a hot, sharply continental climate, it is impossible to obtain large crops. At 38-40 C, in most varieties, stomata begin to die.

Light mode

Yields are affected, of course, not only by such agro-climatic conditions for growing wheat, such as soil moisture and air temperature. A very important factor in this regard is the length of daylight hours. A large harvest of wheat can, unfortunately, be obtained only with a fairly significant number of sunny days during the season. The lack of light contributes to the formation of a large number of internodes in this culture. At the same time, the tillering leaf of wheat grows too close to the soil surface. All these factors negatively affect the endurance of plants, their resistance to pests, diseases and low temperatures.

Which soil is best

The main conditions for successful wheat cultivation are a sufficiently high air temperature and humidity in summer period. With regard to climate, this culture is therefore not too demanding. However, sites for its landing have to be chosen very carefully. In terms of soil composition, this crop, in comparison with many other grains, is relatively capricious. It is believed that wheat feels best on loamy lands (soddy-podzolic) and coherent sandy loam. Good yields of this crop can also be obtained on peat-bog lowland soils.

The optimal indicators of soil for wheat are:

pH - minimum 5.8;

K2O and P2O5 - at least 150 mg/kg of soil.

The best predecessors

Repeated crops of wheat in the fields lead, unfortunately, to a significant decrease in yield due to soil depletion and disease. Therefore, when growing this crop, be sure to follow the rules of crop rotation. It is believed that the best predecessors for wheat are legumes and potatoes. You can also plant it after cruciferous vegetables or herbs.

Types of wheat

A variety of types of this crop are grown on the fields of Russia. Wheat can be classified into varieties:

hard and soft;

simple and dwarf.

From durum grains, flour is obtained, which is mainly used for the manufacture of noodles and pasta. Such wheat is characterized by a dense ear structure and the presence of long awns. The cavity of the straw in the varieties of this group is filled with connective tissue. The hard grain itself has an elongated shape.

Soft wheat is grown on the fields of our country and other countries most often. Grain of these varieties is used for baking bread. Also, flour of this variety is great for making confectionery. For soft varieties of wheat, a rather loose spike is characteristic. She has no ost. The straw of this variety is hollow, and the grain has a round shape.

Dwarf varieties were bred quite recently and are still rarely grown by farmers. It is believed that the flour obtained from such grain is very well suited for baking.

Spring and winter wheat

Wheat cultivation in our country can be carried out using two main technologies. Winter varieties are planted in autumn. They are harvested next summer. Spring wheat is sown in spring. Its ears ripen by autumn.

Varieties

Conditions for growing wheat in Russia are favorable in most cases. This crop is cultivated, as already mentioned, in many regions of our country. Zoned varieties of it are also used just a huge amount. In this case, the following spring crops can be attributed to the most popular and fruitful:

"Dawn". This mid-season wheat is the standard in the State Variety Test.

"Munch". This is a German mid-season tall variety resistant to lodging.

"Tom". A new variety resistant to powdery mildew.

"Cox". Disease and lodging resistant variety.

And winter:

"Prestige";

"Moscow-39";

• "Mironovskaya", etc.

Sowing of spring wheat

Varieties of this variety are grown mainly in the Urals, in the Volga region and in Siberia. The technology of tillage for such wheat depends on the composition of the latter, as well as on the predecessors. This procedure usually includes:

on fields with stubble predecessors - stubble peeling with disc tools;

after tilled predecessors - cultivation to the depth of the arable layer.

Pre-sowing preparation on peatlands includes disking, soil leveling and rolling.

Seed preparation

The cultivation of spring wheat will be successful, of course, only if high-quality planting material is used. Grain for sowing fields in spring is allowed to use only III reproductions with a purity of 98% and a germination of 87%. Seeds are pre-treated using special preparations. This allows you to reduce the incidence of culture in the growing process. Sometimes the seeds of spring wheat are dressed and inlaid. In this case, the composition of the preparation used for treatment includes adhesives and growth-regulating compounds. Also, when preparing seeds, humic agents can be used.

How to sow

Spring wheat is an early planting crop. It is sown at a soil temperature of 2°C. On peat soils, such varieties are planted after thawing the upper layer by 10-12 cm. The seeding rate of spring wheat seeds is approximately 5-5.5 million on mineral soils and 3.5-4 million on peat.

The grains of this crop are planted to a depth of 5-6 cm on light soils and 3-4 cm on heavy soils. Spring wheat is sown in a continuous method with a row spacing of 7.5, 12.5 or 15.0 cm.

Care

The technology of growing spring wheat mainly includes the following types of work:

harrowing to control weeds (5-7 days after sowing);

use of herbicides to control weeds;

when pests appear, treatment with insecticides;

in case of infection with bacterial diseases, the use of fungicides.

How to fertilize spring varieties

The use of dressings is one of the most important conditions for such a procedure as growing wheat in Russia. Regions with nutrient-rich chernozems are rare for our country.

Feeding spring varieties begins during the tillering period. In the early stages of development, such wheat is insensitive to mineral fertilizers. When exiting the phone good results gives the use of nitrogen supplements. Also during this period, wheat is in dire need of phosphate fertilizers. During the earing of spring varieties, potash fertilizers are usually used. They are also used when pouring grains.

When calculating the required amount of fertilizer, it should be taken into account that one centner of spring wheat from the ground absorbs 1.2 kg of phosphorus, 4 kg of nitrogen, 2 kg of potassium per season.

Spring wheat harvest

Direct combining of such varieties is carried out when grain moisture reaches 15-20%. It is impossible to be late with the harvest of spring wheat. When such varieties are overstayed even for 10-12 days, the grain quality deteriorates significantly. In this case, the productivity itself also decreases.

Winter wheat: preparation for sowing

Thus, we found out how spring varieties are cultivated. Next, let's look at the technology for growing winter wheat. Varieties of this variety are most often cultivated in the Caucasus, in the Central Black Earth region and in the Volga region. Winter wheat requires even more thorough soil preparation than spring wheat. In this case, the choice of technology also takes into account factors such as land conditions and predecessors. After unpaired crops in the fields under winter wheat, usually combined aggregates are used. Actually, the processing itself is carried out most often by the non-moldboard method to a depth of 8-12 cm. It is believed that the best soil indicators for such varieties are the following:

sufficiently dense subsowing layer;

the size of soil particles in the undersowing layer is 2-3 mm;

the height of the ridges after the cultivator is less than 2 cm.

Cultivators when processing fields for winter wheat are supplemented with harrows and rollers. This is necessary in order to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.

Planting material processing

The most favorable conditions for growing winter wheat are wet autumn, snowy winter, and warm spring. However, it is possible to obtain good yields of such varieties only with the same careful preparation seeds, as well as grains of spring varieties. Winter planting material is usually processed in two stages by:

pickling;

inlay.

When dressing, it is important not to disturb the germination of seeds.

Sowing winter wheat

This procedure in the fields can be performed using three technologies:

ordinary lowercase (row spacing - 15 cm);

narrow-row method (7.5 cm);

cross method (15 cm).

As with spring wheat, the simple row method is most commonly used for winter wheat. Seeds of varieties of this variety are planted on light soils to a depth of 6-8 cm, on heavy soils - 1-2 cm, on peat soils - 3-4 cm.

The rate of grain in this case depends on the timing of planting. With early sowing, the consumption should be 400-500 pieces per 1 m 2. If landing is made at a later date, this rate increases by 10-15%.

Growing winter wheat: the basics of care

In the cultivation of varieties of this variety, as well as spring varieties, herbicides are often used to control weeds. Pests are killed with insecticides, and bacterial diseases are treated with fungicides if necessary. In addition, it is believed that winter wheat responds very well to fertilizers. This crop is fed mainly with mineral compounds. Organic fertilizers may be used only if the percentage of humus in the soil does not exceed 2%.

The norms of mineral dressings are calculated based on the composition of the land in the field. Nitrogen and phosphorus are considered the best fertilizers for winter wheat. Almost the entire rate of the latter is applied before sowing. Most often, fields for winter wheat are fertilized with granular superphosphate. The same composition is applied randomly at autumn feeding or by the root method in early spring (in small quantities).

Growing winter wheat in Russia involves the use of nitrogen fertilizers:

during presowing cultivation (30 kg/ha);

in the tillering phase to increase the density of plants and the height of their stem;

at the beginning of piping (60-70 kg/ha);

during earing and flowering.

If winter wheat is grown on soil poor in composition, it is recommended to apply nitrogen fertilizers in the ammonium form. In this case, top dressing will be washed out less. In the steppe regions, foliar top dressing of winter wheat with a solution of urea is often used in the fields.

How to water

Improper control of soil moisture can lead to a significant reduction in the yield of these varieties. Cultivation of winter wheat b It will be successful only if its root system is actively developed. Soil moisture is especially important in the early stages of crop development. In autumn, due to rains, the top layer of soil in the fields is rather damp. Newly planted plants extract nutrients from it. The same applies to the period of snowfall. Melt waters in spring support wheat very well.

Subsequently, with an increase in air temperature, the soil, however, begins to gradually dry out. In accordance with this, the root system of plants lengthens and expands. Wheat independently extracts moisture from ever deeper layers of the soil. In some cases, the root system of this crop can reach a length of almost a meter. However, in dry weather, moisture can sink even deeper into the soil. Yes, and at a distance of 1 m from the surface by mid-June, it is often not enough. Dry areas of wheat cultivation are thus an area of ​​risky farming. It is necessary to irrigate fields with grain in such regions.

There are two periods of development of this agricultural crop, watering in which is simply necessary. First of all, this is the autumn vegetation. The soil at this time of the year in the fields in most cases is damp. However, it often happens that the percentage of its moisture for the normal development of plants is still not enough. In addition, rains in mid-October do not always happen. Winter varieties are usually watered in autumn only once, but at the same time plentifully.

The second time, winter wheat crops are artificially moistened in spring. However, this procedure is performed only if in autumn the soil is saturated with water less than two meters deep.

In summer, winter wheat is watered only during drought. This is usually done during the heading period and at the beginning of grain ripening.

In the same way, spring wheat is watered in the summer. The roots of varieties of this variety should also reach the moist layers of the soil. Otherwise, it will not be possible to get a good harvest from a spring crop. With a lack of irrigation, it will not be possible to increase grain yield even when using a large amount of fertilizer.

Harvest time

The combination of winter varieties begins in the phase of their full maturity. Different regions of wheat cultivation differ in different climatic conditions. Therefore, suffering takes place in different areas at different times. In any case, combining should be done only when the moisture content of the grain reaches 14-17%.

Harvesting winter wheat can be done in different ways. Most often, direct combining is used. If the crops are too heavily clogged with weeds, a separate harvesting method is used. In this case, grain losses are usually quite large. Therefore, it is so important to treat the fields with herbicides during the growth and maturation of winter wheat. A separate harvesting method is also used for tall and very dense varieties.

Storage

Growing wheat is technologically quite complicated. But getting a good harvest of this crop is not enough. It is also important to keep it without loss.

After combining, the grain is most often sent to elevators. The following factors influence the safety of the harvested crop in such specially equipped warehouses:

humidity and ambient temperature;

the intensity of biochemical processes occurring in the grain layers;

the presence or absence of harmful microorganisms and insects.

Before laying for storage, the grain must be thoroughly dried. The optimal storage temperature for wheat is 10-12 C. Observance of these factors helps prevent grain spoilage and weight loss.