ALL STARTS WITH A GRAIN …. OF WHEAT!
Wheat and Its Growth Stages!
Wheat is one of the oldest and most widespread crops in the world. Its annual biological cycle consists of several stages, from sowing to harvest, each crucial for ensuring a high-quality yield.
Sowing
Wheat sowing generally takes place in autumn for winter wheat, between late October and early December, depending on climatic and geographical conditions. In Val d’Orcia, it can only be grown in winter because summer is too dry for cultivating summer wheat.
At Podere Il Casale, it’s essential to discuss the choice of “wheat and evolutionary mixture,” which represents the future of agriculture and nutrition.
The evolutionary mixture technique treats wheat as a population—sowing a blend of many different varieties of the same species (wheat varieties) in the same field. This approach allows the mixtures to evolve naturally over time, addressing challenges like climate change or new weeds.
This type of wheat, compared to classic varieties, has a deeper root structure.
During the sowing phase, our ancient wheat seeds (varieties already present in the past), which contain less gluten and are therefore lighter and easier to digest, are spread over the previously prepared soil, which may include plowing and leveling operations to ensure uniform growth.
Germination and Emergence
Once sown, the seeds absorb soil moisture and, if conditions are optimal, germinate within 15-21 days. The seed develops a primary root that anchors the plant to the ground and a sprout that emerges on the surface, giving rise to the young plant.
Tillering (accestimento)
During winter and spring, the plant enters the tillering phase.
At this stage, wheat develops secondary roots and produces side shoots called “secondary stems.”
A good tillering phase is indicated by the formation of 2-3 secondary stems for each main stem, contributing to higher productivity.
Stem Elongation (Jointing)
With the arrival of spring, the plant begins the stem elongation phase. In this stage, the main stem and lateral shoots grow in height due to the elongation of internodes. Simultaneously, the spike develops at the tip of the terminal shoot.
Heading and Flowering
Heading marks the emergence of the spike from the leaf sheath. This is followed by flowering and the fertilization of the flowers on the spike. Each fertilized flower will develop into a wheat kernel. The quality and quantity of fertilized flowers directly impact crop yield.
Ripening
After flowering, the kernels enter the ripening phase, which is divided into two stages:
- Milk Ripening: The kernel is light green and contains about 50% moisture.
- Dough Ripening: The kernel turns yellow, loses moisture, and becomes harder.
At the end of this phase, the kernel reaches full maturity, taking on a golden color and a consistency suitable for harvesting.
Harvesting
Wheat is harvested in summer, generally between May and September, depending on the region and type of sowing. In our hemisphere, wheat sown in autumn is harvested between June and July. Harvesting is done using specialized machines that separate the grain from the spike, while the stalks are collected as straw.
Understanding the biological cycle of wheat is essential for optimizing agricultural practices, ensuring an abundant and high-quality harvest.
