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Peach County
UGA Extension Office

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Wheat Fertility and Weed Control

Once this rain gets out of here and we can stand up in wheat fields we need to be considering our weed control options and applying early season fertility.

Fall tiller production is necessary for optimum yields to be accomplished. 15 to 30 pounds of preplant or at planting nitrogen (N) is usually sufficient to promote early tillering. If wheat is planted behind peanuts or soybeans the amount of residual N should be sufficient, but if you are following corn or cotton additional N may be needed. Either way now is a good time to consider an application of N to promote additional tiller production. The goal for fall and early winter N applications is to achieve 100+ tillers per square foot by the end of January or the first of February. Taking tiller counts and tissue testing at this time can help growers determine how much additional nitrogen needs to be applied by growth stage 30.

 

Wheat Growth Stages

Growth stage 30 (Fekes 4) is the stage when the growing point has moved 1/2 inch up the stem. Prior to this the growing point is at the base of the stem. This can be determined by pulling plants and spitting the stem down the center to the roots. At this time in the growing season the spikelets per spike and spikes per plant are developing, and the grains per spikelet are being determined. These are some of the reasons that we want to make sure the plants have enough in the tissue and apply additional as needed to reduce stress. Obviously stress at this stage of growth can have a negative impact on yield.

Another factor that can add stress and reduce yields is weed competition and/or improperly timed herbicides. Historically growers in our area have waited until their final fertilizer application is February to also apply herbicides. This usually coincides with the transition from tillering to stem elongation (growth stage 30). A better


Below are some of UGA Extension's most broadly useful resources for those involved in agriculture on the farm, in schools, and around the home.

Production Agriculture

Statewide Variety Testing Which varieties should you plant? The variety testing team does the work and research for farmers.
UGA Weather Network Reliable weather information for agricultural and environmental applications, including soil temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and more.
Pesticide Safety Education Everything you need to achieve certification and maintain the knowledge to safely and effectively make use of restricted-use and all other types of pesticides.
Commodity Resources
Sustainable Agriculture A collection of resources for those interested in production and marketing practices that are profitable, environmentally sound, and that improve the quality of life for farmers, farm workers, and the community.
Ag Budgets and Economics Resources for production economics, farm management, marketing, situation and outlook, risk management, financial management, farm policy, labor, and taxation.
Farmgate Value Report Annual county-level reports documenting the value of all food and fiber commodities grown in the state.
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Home & Garden

Soil Testing Ensure that your soil is productive! Get your soil tested to determine the amount and kind of nutrients that should be added for the best growth.
Pest Management Recommendations for pest control around homes, on pets, in the home garden, and more.
Household Water Quality Water quality has an immediate and a prolonged effect on the health of your household. This publication series contains basic information about home water quality and treatment.
Home Garden Publication Series Topics include garden planning, soil preparation, weed control, pollination, disease and insect control, harvesting, and preserving.
Georgia Green Industry Professional Development The UGA Center for Urban Agriculture offers professional training and certifications for the Georgia Certified Landscape Professional, Georgia Certified Plant Professional exam and Super Crew employee training series.
Georgia Green Landscape Stewards The Georgia Green Landscape Stewards program provides fact-based information to help businesses and residences in Georgia implement sustainable green practices in their landscape.

Schools

Community and School Gardens This Community and School Gardens blog is designed to help community and school gardeners succeed by connecting them to UGA Extension and other research-based resources.
Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources Whether you'd like to help protect the environment, teach your students how to avoid chronic diseases with healthy food and physical activity, or train food handlers in your cafeteria, University of Georgia Extension can help.

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