Reducing Lodging Problems In Ontario Wheat

Peter Johnson, Southwest Crop Diagnostic Days - July 2011

In the quest to help boost Ontario wheat yields, provincial cereal crops specialist Peter Johnson is turning his attention to lodging problems in the crop.

At the Southwest Crop Diagnostic Days in Ridgetown, Johnson reviewed the research that shows a good yield increase by applying a fungicide and increasing nitrogen rates.

However, too much nitrogen can cause lodging, which offsets the increased yield potential.

In this clip, Johnson says crop researchers are taking a closer look at the use of growth regulators to reduce lodging in the Ontario wheat crop.

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While they are not widely used in Ontario, Johnson says European growers have relied on growth regulators to help increase their nitrogen rates and boost yields.

Johnson says most Ontario growers would rather use less nitrogen to minimize lodging.

In order to change that approach, Johnson says more research is needed to test the growth regulators under Ontario conditions.

In addition, Johnson says another of area of interest for reducing lodging is plant genetics.

He says European growers are using varieties with dwarfing genes that are aimed at improving crop stands.