However, the situation could change if Old Man Winter decides to take matters into his own icy hands, says Ellsworth Christmas, Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service agronomist. In some parts of Indiana wheat is starting to break winter dormancy and complete its growth cycle, Christmas says. Temperatures generally have remained warm enough to keep plants from weather injury, although a few recent dips in the mercury nearly spelled trouble, he says. Heaving occurs when moist soils freeze, thaw and then refreeze. The exposed plant is susceptible to the frigid conditions and diseases, including the fungus Rhizoctonia.
Farmers can tell if wheat has broken dormancy by examining a plant.
After washing the roots, look for new root growth from the plant's crown. Another sign a plant has awakened from dormancy is the appearance of its top two leaves. The area below a line running across the leaves where they were covered by a sheath will be brighter or shinier than the area above the line. As wheat begins its post-dormancy growth period, nitrogen should be applied as a topdressing, Christmas says. Fertilizer applied to a weakened plant with dead leaf tissue could bring on Rhizoctonia infection, Christmas says.