Winter Wheat Survivabilty With Minimal Snow Cover

The above freezing temperatures we have been experiencing may cause concern for breaking winter dormancy and decreasing winter hardiness.  If a period of very cold temperatures arrive, the plants may not survive.  Winter hardy varieties may withstand temperatures as low as -4^oF to 10^oF at 1" soil depth for up to 6 days, while less winter hardy varieties will die.

Lack of snow is another concern when considering crown health.  Three inches of snow is sufficient protection, but 4-6 inches of snow is best to reduce crown root injury.  When the crown root suffers winter injury, thinned stands and reduced yields can be a result.

Monitoring crown root injury and having a management strategy in place are key tools to ensure optimum yield production. 

Stand evaluation

• Targeted plant population average over the entire field is 15-18 plants/ft² for a 100-120bu/a yield
  
• Leaf burn does not indicate plant death, conduct bag test to assure crown root health
• Winter Survival Bag Test for Crown Root Injury

1. Cut the stems and roots 1" above and below the crown root
   
2. Rinse the crown root with cool water
3. Place crown in plastic bag with moist paper towel and your air
4. Re-moisten the paper towel and add air every two days
5. No regrowth of stems after 6 days indicate crown death
   

Management Strategies

• Apply 20-50 lbs Nitrogen immediately after ground has thawed to stimulate tiller activity
• If crop was planted on wheat stubble, consider applying fungicide

Replant Decisions

If plant stands or crown root injury results in less than 6 plants/ft², consider replanting a spring crop.  However, there are other questions to ask yourself before making that decision

• Will the economic return exceed the cost of replanting?
• What is the most viable crop to plant?
• Consider current soil moisture, previous herbicide use and the date of replanting

Additional Reading

Winter Wheat Production in North Dakota Extension Bulletin 33:

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/smgrains/eb33w.htm

Replanting or Late Planting Crops:

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/crops/a934.pdf

NDSU Extension Small Grains Page

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/smgrains/