Stand Establishment of Winter Wheat in Oklahoma: A Survey

Abstract

Timely and adequate stand establishment of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is critical in the southern Great Plains, where wheat is frequently grazed by livestock in the winter followed by grain harvest. Poor stands reduce forage yield potential. Percentage of viable wheat seed planted that produced seedlings was determined by surveying wheat fields during the 1992 and 1993 planting seasons. Causes of poor emergence were identified. Data collected included: cultivation practices prior to planting, type of planting equipment, depth of planting, and seeding rate. Seed samples for germination tests, seed size determinations, and planter calibrations were collected at each location. Actual stand counts and seeding depth measurements were made about 2 wk after planting. Average emergence rate was 57% of viable seed planted in both years. Inaccurate planting depth and variation in planting depth within a field were identified as major causes of poor emergence. Other causes for poor emergence were placing seed in dry soil and use of small seed. Oklahoma wheat fields have too few wheat plants for the number of viable seed planted. Limiting cultivation depth prior to seeding, using depth gauges on individual row openers, and not planting seed weighing less than 7 oz/1000 seed can help improve wheat stands.