First Hollow Stem Update: February 24, 2017

 

 

In order to screen for FHS during this important time in the growing season, the K-State Extension Wheat and Forages crew measures FHS of 20 different commonly grown wheat varieties in Kansas. The varieties are in a September-sown replicated trial at the South Central Experiment Field near Hutchinson, in cooperation with Gary Cramer, Agronomist-in-Charge of the Field.

 

Ten stems are split open per variety per replication, for a total of 40 stems monitored per variety. The average length of hollow stem is reported for each varieties in Table 1. As of Feb.22, none of the varieties had yet reached first hollow stem but all varieties had started to elongate the stem.

 

 

 

Varieties are elongating stems at different rates. Some varieties are reaching close to 0.4 cm of hollow stem elongation (such as SY Llano, Stardust, and Gallagher). Others are just now starting and are close to 0.1-0.2 cm (Bentley, Doublestop CL Plus, Larry, and Tatanka). While none of the varieties had yet reached first hollow stem as of February 22, this stage is generally achieved within a few days from when the stem starts to elongate, provided sufficient moisture and warm temperatures. Thus, producers should closely monitor first hollow stem status in their wheat pastures at this time. As mentioned in the February 22 Agronomy eUpdate issue, some commercial fields in the region were already at first hollow stem and reaching jointing by February 20 (Figure 1).

 

 

The intention of this report is to provide producers a weekly update on the progress of first hollow stem development in different wheat varieties. Producers should use this information as a guide, but it is extremely important to monitor FHS from an ungrazed portion of each individual wheat pasture to take the decision of removing cattle from wheat pastures.