Can I Dust in my Wheat?
By Dr. Angela R. Post, Small Grains Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University
For North Carolina, only a small portion of the state is currently reported as abnormally dry. However, growers across the state are reporting dry conditions at the soil surface and are wondering: “What is the best strategy for wheat planting?” Conditions have been beautiful for both fall harvest and planting but is there enough moisture to get the wheat crop up and established? There are three options to consider when the soil seems too dry for crop establishment.
1)The first option is to dust the wheat in
If there is limited moisture available, you can dust wheat in. For this strategy you plant shallow but make sure the seed is covered that way any decent rain will reach the seed for emergence. One possible problem with this strategy: If there happens to be some moisture in the soil wheat may germinate but not be able to establish and die shortly after germination. Best solution: If the soil is dry to a depth of 4” or more then the seed should not imbibe and there is limited risk of germination followed by seedling death. A second possible problem is: If you dust wheat in and then get a significant rain, some soils may crust, making it difficult for the wheat to emerge. Best solution: if you are able to get a light turbo-tillage across the field after crusting and before emergence, you may be able to get your seedlings through.
2) The second option is to plant deeper to reach moisture
If subsurface moisture is available, you can plant up to 2” deep to place the seed where there is moisture. Wheat can emerge from this depth, but it will take longer. Don’t expect to be able to row the crop (see small, emerged plants with your eye down the row) for at least 10 days. Putting the seed where there is moisture should ensure good water intake and emergence. However, if there is no subsurface moisture, this strategy should not be used in dry conditions.
3) The third option is to wait for moisture to plant
This is the most practical solution and my current recommendation. Wait for a good rain in the forecast and plant after it has fallen on your farm. If you plant ahead of it and miss the rain, you may be sitting with a crop which will have delayed emergence. There are still three weeks of suitable planting time ahead of us. Be patient. But if rain continues to be nowhere in sight, we will have to reconsider our strategy for one of the options above.
Some final thoughts:
-If you dust wheat in, it should not matter whether the seed is treated or untreated. Both should behave similarly. Seed treatments should not degrade while we wait for moisture up to 3 weeks. You should still get protection with the fungicide seed treatment after the first rain.
-If you dust wheat in, it is not recommended to increase the seeding rate or to increase or fertility. Wheat can wait for moisture to germinate and no change in planned inputs or population are needed.
-My recommendation would be to wait unless you are planting a substantial amount of wheat on your farm (>1000 acres) and need the additional time to get wheat in the ground.
-Finally, if you dust wheat in, remember that any preemergent herbicides you use will not be activated until the first good rain. This may mean weed emergence can get ahead of your wheat as many weed seeds do not need as much moisture as wheat to germinate.
