• Disease
• Insect
• Weed
• Seeds

Wet, saturated soils certainly complicate issues associated with nitrogen fertilization of wheat fields in the Mid-South and we have had our fair share early this spring. In order to implement proper management, we must evaluate wheat health and growth stage to determine current nutritional needs and appropriate timing for each individual wheat field, as planting date and variety may greatly affect crop condition and maturity.

If a field shows poor tiller development or signs of nitrogen deficiency, you need to apply enough nitrogen to meet its demand or the crop will suffer yield loss. Nitrogen nutrition primarily influences vegetative biomass and plant heath, rather than maturity, so it is not as critical as other factors affecting wheat maturation. Maturation is primarily determined by planting date and variety response to temperatures and photoperiod. Thus, delaying nitrogen application may only reduce wheat yield potential by depriving plants of nutritional needs.

Keys for Wheat Fertilization Success – There are several keys to successful wheat nitrogen fertilization in Mississippi. Split application of nitrogen fertilizer is likely more important for wheat than any other crop, including corn. This is because wheat nitrogen fertilization occurs during the wettest months of the year – in a high rainfall, warm regional climate conducive to nitrogen loss. Thus, considerable nitrogen losses may limit productivity, particularly if we experience prolonged, soggy weather during the early spring. Likewise, nitrogen application timing can be very important, particularly for the first spring application. Optimal nitrogen timing can vary substantially from year to year and field to field because seasonal weather and temperature fluctuation primarily affects wheat development (along with specific planting date and variety). Therefore, you can make better fertility decisions, by closely monitoring wheat health and development, and evaluating the weather forecast. This knowledge can help you make more appropriate fertility decisions, rather than exclusively relying on specific calendar dates and rate guidelines. Using best management practices can substantially improve fertilizer efficiency, crop yields and profitability – especially since input and commodity prices are high.

Split Application Guide – I believe the most prudent method to apply nitrogen to southern wheat is either a 2-way or a 3-way split with at least 2/3 of the nitrogen applied in the late split(s). Using split nitrogen applications with the majority of fertilizer applied late will satisfy crop demand without subjecting a substantial amount of expensive N to losses during wet, saturated conditions typical during the early spring. Only a small amount of the total N is theoretically needed in the first topdress application (20-30 lbs. N/a.), because rapid wheat nitrogen uptake does not occur until wheat stem elongation begins. The initial topdress of a split application should be applied when dormancy breaks in late‑winter while wheat is in prostrate, tillering stages (Feekes growth stage 3 or 4 – normally early February). Neglecting wheat nutritional needs during tillering stages limits the number of tillers which will produce viable heads. Thus, proper nitrogen timing is essential to produce high wheat yields. Thereafter, N can be applied according to crop needs, which increase with vegetative development. A second nitrogen application should occur when plants become strongly erect and stem elongation begins, and again prior to boot stage, if you choose to make a third application.

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