3 Parenthesis show inches of water deficiency per foot of soil depth. After growth resumes in the spring, base irrigation amounts on the amount of water used over the winter. If the soil profile is filled to a depth of 6 feet in the fall, additional water probably will not be necessary until the boot stage. Earlier irrigation will produce excessive vegetative growth and may cause lodging. Irrigations during early vegetative growth are only necessary if there has been a warm, dry winter or in case of very coarse sandy soils.
Irrigation scheduling involves decisions of when to apply water and how much.
Decisions are dictated by producer goals and strategies. Water availability, rainfall, yield goal, nutrient management, soil texture, crop water use, etc., play a role in how to schedule water application. For example, the need for early spring irrigation is more likely with sandy soils because of their low water-holding capacity. The timing of water application is critical to yield and nutrient management. Winter wheat water use at different growth stages.