Wild wheat, also known as non-cultivated wheat, is not a weed and is unaffected by herbicides. It often grows mixed with cultivated wheat in the fields, making it difficult to distinguish during the seedling stage due to its similar appearance. After the jointing stage, wild wheat develops thin stems, slender leaves, and a yellow-green color. Once it heads, it becomes significantly taller than regular wheat. In heavily infested fields, it can form two layers of ears, commonly referred to as "two floors."
Wild wheat competes aggressively with cultivated wheat for nutrients, water, and sunlight, which leads to stunted growth, reduced population density, and disorganized field structures. This competition negatively affects both the yield and quality of the wheat crop. Moreover, wild wheat is prone to lodging, which further complicates farming operations and increases the need for farmers to change varieties or invest more in inputs.
Field observations indicate that wild wheat has several distinguishing features. First, it produces a high number of tillers, with a strong heading rate. The number of tillers can exceed 10, sometimes reaching up to 20–30, and more than 90% of these tillers can produce spikes. Second, wild wheat plants are generally taller, with stems that are thin and weak, making them prone to falling over. Their height typically ranges from 120–130 cm, about 50 cm taller than cultivated wheat. When wild wheat makes up more than 15% of the field, it can cause significant lodging, reducing overall production.
Third, wild wheat has longer grains and a higher number of grains per ear. On average, it has around 46 grains per panicle, which is 15 more than cultivated wheat. However, its thousand-grain weight is lower, averaging around 24 grams compared to 39 grams in regular wheat. Fourth, wild wheat matures earlier, usually about five days ahead of cultivated wheat, and has a strong tendency to shatter, making it harder to harvest.
In summary, although wild wheat may appear to contribute to yield, it actually results in very low harvests. Some farmers avoid removing it, leading to an increase in wild wheat populations within the fields. This causes issues like lodging, reduced yields, and poor grain quality. If left unchecked, wild wheat can force farmers to change their wheat varieties within 3–4 years and increase seed costs by 60–70 yuan.
To manage wild wheat effectively, several control measures can be taken. First, use high-quality, certified seeds and avoid using self-retained seeds that may contain wild wheat. Before planting, carefully select seeds and remove any sticky or abnormal grains. Second, implement proper cultivation practices during the seedling stage and early spring, which helps in warming the soil and also allows for manual removal of wild wheat between rows. Third, manually remove wild wheat once it starts heading in May. It's important to pull it out from the roots rather than just cutting the top, as wild wheat can regrow from the base within a few days. Delaying removal can result in it falling into the field and spreading further.
By taking these steps, farmers can reduce the impact of wild wheat on their crops and maintain better productivity and quality in their wheat fields.
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