Cover Crops: Winter Wheat
Table of Contents
- Description: Family
- Growth Habits
- Control Options
- Sensitivity to Herbicides: Weed Control
- Benefits and Concerns
- Getting Started
- Related Links
Description
Figure 1: Winter wheat in head
Family
Growth Habits
Top Growth
Rapid fall growth - not as fast as rye at low temperatures
Slower maturing than rye
Root System
Fibrous root system - not as aggressive as rye
Overwintering
Does not winterkill
Site suitability
Tolerates a moderately wide range of site conditions
Does not thrive well in saturated or droughty soils
Control Options
Needs to be controlled early in spring to avoid excessive drying
of soil
Sensitivity to Herbicides - Weed Control
There are many herbicides registered for use in wheat but good
weed control for a cover crop should not be expensive and may not
be needed. Establish a vigorous crop canopy to smother out weeds.
Benefits and Concerns
Nutrient Management
Nitrogen uptake is only half of that of rye in the fall
Nitrogen uptake is high in the spring
Soil Moisture
High water use in spring
As Feed
Grown as a cover crop and food crop
Green growth can be harvested as forage
Getting Started
Establishment
Can be overseeded in growing crop (e.g. beans, tomatoes);
Should be planted by the end of September for an effective cover
crop
Cost & Availability
Seed easily available and inexpensive
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