Wild wheat, also known as non-cultivated wheat, is not a weed and is not affected 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. Once the wheat reaches the jointing stage, wild wheat becomes more noticeable. Its stems are thin, leaves are narrow and drooping, and the color is yellow-green. After heading, wild wheat typically stands taller than regular wheat. In heavily infested fields, there are often two layers of ears, commonly referred to as "two floors." This competition for nutrients and space negatively affects the growth of wheat, leading to smaller plants, disorganized fields, reduced yield, and poor quality. Additionally, wild wheat increases the risk of lodging, which is one of the main reasons farmers may need to change varieties or invest more in their crops.
Wild wheat has several distinguishing characteristics. First, it produces a large number of tillers, with a high rate of heading. The number of tillers can range from over 10 to more than 20-30, with up to 90% of them forming spikes. The tillers are irregular in size. Second, wild wheat plants are tall, with slender stems that are prone to falling over. Their height usually ranges between 120-130 cm, about 50 cm taller than cultivated wheat, and they tend to grow later in the season. If 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 panicle. On average, each ear contains about 46 grains, which is 15 more than cultivated wheat. However, the thousand-grain weight is lower, averaging around 24g compared to 39g in regular wheat. Fourth, wild wheat matures earlier—about five days before regular wheat—and has a strong shattering tendency.
In short, although wild wheat may appear to contribute to yield, it actually produces very little. Some farmers hesitate to remove it, leading to an increasing presence of wild wheat in the fields. This results in lower yields, reduced quality, and increased lodging risks. If left unchecked, farmers may need to change their wheat variety within 3-4 years and increase seed costs by 60-70 yuan.
To control wild wheat, several measures can be taken. First, use high-quality seeds and avoid using self-retained seeds that may contain wild wheat. Before sowing, carefully select seeds and remove any sticky or abnormal grains. Second, cultivate the field during the seedling stage and early spring, which helps in warming the soil and removing some wild wheat between rows. Third, manually remove wild wheat once it starts to head in May. Be sure 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. Do not delay removal, as it may fall and spread further into the field.
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