 |
Nerdy Word > Tiller A shoot that originates from the seed. A plant that has more tillers tends to produce a good crop. |
 |
 |
Winter Wheat
Planting Tips
Courtesy of DeltAg Wildlife
The availability of wheat seed for fall 2010 planting seems to be in question in some areas of the country. Recently, several seed dealers have had difficulty finding all the wheat seed needed for their customers. If this apparent shortage proves to be true, every planted seed needs to emerge healthy and live up to its genetic potential.
Growers who have used Seed Coat from DeltAg have grown to depend on having optimum seed emergence, a superior root system and increased early tiller development. Healthy full-grown tillers increase the plant's ability to survive winter weather extremes. Seed Coat is a dry powdered biostimulant, applied as a hopper box treatment at 2 to 4 ounces of Seed Coat per acre.
Planting wheat after the first freeze (often called the fly free date) increases the chance of avoiding damage from the Hessian fly. Waiting for this freeze in the South may not allow for timely planting. Sometimes a freeze does not come until December, which may be too late for dependable tiller development before the "real" winter weather arrives. Planting a Hessian fly-resistant variety may help avoid this problem and still allow for an October or November planting date.
If you have never used DeltAg Seed Coat, this fall may be a good opportunity to give it a try. You may have two opportunities; the first, if you are planting an early planting of Hessian fly resistant wheat, and the second on wheat that needs to be planted after the first freeze.
It is important to leave out an untreated area as a check. When you use Seed Coat, be sure to dig up some plants and take a look at the roots of these plants while comparing them to the check. This should be done two to four weeks after germination. You should see more roots, longer roots, or roots that are larger in diameter in the treated area. By making these observations we hope that you will be encouraged to use Seed Coat on future wheat plantings or plantings of other seeded crops, like corn, soybeans, cotton, peanuts, etc.
Small seeded grains like wheat and rice require 4 ounces per acre of Seed Coat. Larger seeds like corn and soybeans need only 2 ounces. Visit www.deltagwildlife.com for more on improving your property for wildlife. —Mark Kitson, mark@deltagformulations.com