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Testing Dormant Wheat For Life
Ron Meyer, Area
Extension Agent - Golden Plains Area
Date: 3/2/2011
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To determine if wheat
plants are alive before active growth begins in the spring:
1. Remove
the top three inches of soil containing the plant crown.
2. Thaw the
samples and warm to room temperature.
3. Remove soil from the roots and
wash with cool water to remove attached soil.
4. Cut off fall growth to
within 1 inch above the crown and roots below the crown.
5. Rinse the
crowns with cool water.
6. Place 10 wet crowns in a labeled plastic bag,
inflate the bag and tie shut.
7. Place the bags in a lighted room, but not
in direct sunlight.
8. Check the crowns in two days rinse with cool water
and re-inflate the bag.
9. After four days, the crown should show about two
inches of growth.
10. Plants that are not growing after six days should be
considered dead when estimating survival.
11. Some plants may grow poorly
and develop molds. Molds live on dead or injured plants.
Source: Crop
Watch