Wheat is in Growth Stage 6 to 7-Jointing

Wheat is in Growth Stage 6 to 7 which is jointing. This is a crucial stage for management decisions.

First, by now we should have applied topdress nitrogen. From this point on delays in adding N will decrease yield. The majority of the wheat appears to have been topdressed but if any fields remain make them a priority.

Second, any herbicides used from this point on require a careful label review. Some herbicides will cause crop injury when applied after jointing. The 2009-7 CORN Newsletter has an article the topic. If weeds need to be controlled from this point on you can refer to the Ohio/Indiana Weed Control Guide Bulletin 789. Page 141 of this publication shows growth stages and herbicide products graphically.

Third, scouting for diseases should happen in the next couple weeks. A priority would be varieties that are susceptible to powdery mildew, Septoria blotch and Stagonospora blotch. Bulletin 785 has more information on yield loss by suceptibility that is a useful scouting guide. A handy reference on fungicides is also available.