Dr. Cristie L. Preston is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Cropping Systems at the Kansas State University Southeast Research-Extension Center, where her work focuses on soil fertility, crop nutrition, and cropping systems research and extension across the region. Before joining KSU, Dr. Preston served as a technical agronomist in industry, with expertise spanning corn, soybeans, and wheat production systems across the Corn Belt, Central Plains, and Mid-South. She is a Certified Crop Advisor and serves on the Kansas CCA Board. Dr. Preston earned her Ph.D. from Kansas State University in Agronomy and a M.S. in Soil and Environmental Science and B.S. in Animal Science from Virginia Tech. Dr. Preston has spent the last decade helping farmers bridge the yield gap by helping them make better Nutrient Management decisions.
It is likely that most farmers have
experienced yellowing – chlorosis – in wheat at some point in their years of
production. Regardless of whether it is winter wheat or spring wheat, there are
several factors that can cause yellowing and may negatively impact yield if not
corrected.
Here are eKonomics’ top three causes of
yellowing in wheat.
The first most common cause of yellowing is nitrogen deficiency. Early season nitrogen deficiency is common due to low soil temperatures in later winter/early spring that decrease the amount of nitrogen being mineralized from soil organic matter. Other causes include insufficient fall fertilizer rates, delay of application, nitrogen losses as nitrate due to leaching, denitrification losses in saturated soils, and heavy crop residue listed here by Kansas State. Nitrogen deficiency symptoms of wheat are characterized by yellowing of lower leaves since nitrogen is mobile within the plant. Not to be confused with nitrogen deficiency, potassium deficiency can also cause yellowing in the lower leaves. It will take a soil sample to really tell the difference. However, in early spring, nitrogen deficiency has a higher probability of causing your wheat to be yellow. If this nitrogen deficiency is not corrected, wheat yield can be negatively affected.
The second most common cause of yellow wheat is sulfur deficiency. It might be difficult to differentiate between nitrogen and sulfur deficiency at first, but with sulfur deficiency the yellowing occurs in the young/upper leaves as the plant grows. Since sulfur is not easily mobilized within the plant, newer growth will show deficiency symptoms. Sulfur deficiency can occur for similar reasons as nitrogen. Low soil temperatures decreasing mineralization, losses as sulfate due to heavy rainfall, and overall low application rates just to name a few. Sulfur is essential for two amino acids and if sulfur is limited, additional nitrogen applications will not correct the deficiency (Liebig’s Law of the Minimum). Check out this story on using tissue concentrations to determine if sulfur is deficient by looking at the nitrogen to sulfur ratios.
The third top reason for yellow wheat is due to weather. Weather can have a significant effect on wheat depending on growth stage. Dry soil, waterlogging, and shallow planting can all affect root development and cause yellowing. Cold temperatures during the tillering stage before the plant joints can lead to entire fields having a yellow tint. Once the wheat further matures and enters the jointing stage, however, freeze injury can lead yield decreases.
Several honorable mentions for why your wheat
is yellow include disease pressure and iron deficiency. These two potential
issues will also need to be addressed if identified.
Nitrogen and sulfur deficiencies are by far the easiest issues to fix if a farmer is experiencing yellow wheat. Check out How should a farmer sample for diagnostic purposes to learn how to take soil and tissue samples to identify the cause of your yellowing wheat.
