Winter and spring alternating cold air active wheat frost prevention has four tricks
frozen tuna Zhoushan Junwei Aquatic Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.junweiaquatic-intl.com
After wheat enters the returning green stage, its fertility characteristics undergo significant changes, and the temperature stage reaches a sensitive period. At this point, the cold resistance of the wheat seedlings is greatly reduced. If exposed to sudden cold, the plants are highly susceptible to freezing damage. To address this, following early spring wheat management practices, several effective frost protection methods can be applied:
1. **Soil scratching** involves loosening the top layer of soil to improve aeration, protect earthworms, warm the soil, remove weeds, and enhance the wheat’s ability to withstand cold. Observations show that after 7–10 days of regular soil scratching, the average ground temperature in the 5 cm soil layer increases by 0.5 to 1°C during the day, which promotes root development and nutrient transformation. Whether the seedlings are weak or strong, close attention must be paid during this critical period. For fields with excessive growth, light suppression can help control premature stem elongation. When performing soil scratching, it's important to maintain shallow and fine tilling, and to push any debris to the edges. If suppression is done before scratching, the soil should not be left loose, ensuring proper compaction for better insulation.
2. **Field pressing** in early spring helps crush residual plant debris, close soil cracks, and ensure the roots are in close contact with the soil, preventing cold air from damaging the seedlings. This process also has a lifting effect, increasing surface soil moisture, which helps reduce the impact of cold stress.
3. **Early spring fertilization** replenishes the soil nutrients lost during winter, enhances nutrient accumulation, stimulates young seedling growth, and improves their resistance to early spring frosts. Especially in areas where temperatures remain relatively high during winter, and seedlings continue to grow, timely fertilization is crucial. It should be done when the soil is still frozen and slurry-like, avoiding irrigation to prevent a drop in ground temperature that could hinder seedling growth.
4. **Spraying** a 200 ppm paclobutrazol solution (30–40 kg per mu) during the green-up stage can effectively suppress excessive seedling growth and boost cold resistance. This method is particularly useful in regions prone to late frosts.
These practices, when applied correctly, can significantly improve the resilience of wheat crops during vulnerable growth stages, ensuring better yields and healthier plants.