The growing season so far this winter could be considered mild compared to years past. This leads to questions of what is going on with wheat in the field and are the warm temperatures and now potential temperature fluctuations negatively impacting it.
Winter wheat goes through two processes in the fall: vernalization and hardening off.
Vernalization is a physiological process that wheat plants must undergo to reach reproductive stages (produce seed). Vernalization requires a six- to eight-week period of temperatures below 48 degrees Fahrenheit. To vernalize, seed must have germinated prior to the cold period. Even though late planted wheat may not have emerged, as long as the seed has germinated, it will vernalize. We typically don’t have vernalization problems in Michigan. If you have more questions, please refer to the Michigan State University Extension article, “Fall wheat emergence and the vernalization process.”
Hardening off is a different physiological process the affects cold tolerance of the wheat. Hardening off begins once the temperature of the crown (growing point) dips below 48 F. Water in the meristematic tissues is replaced by more dense carbohydrates that are less prone to freezing. Winterkill occurs when the water in the crown freezes. When water freezes, it expands, rupturing cell walls which can permanently damage the crown. If this is severe enough, the plant can die.
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Categories: Michigan, Crops, Wheat, Weather