Rolling wheat when its chitted

[Jmakey]

I drilled some wheat just over a week ago now and it turned wet the day after drilling so didnt get a chance to get it rolled in, as it wasnt the most perfect seedbed i feel it would be better rolled, plus the pre emergance would work better. But will i damage the seed???

 

[ridger]

I rolled last year and the tractor tracks lay in water all winter and never grew. Never again

 

[Jmakey]

We've only had 20mm of rain since drilling so would hope it wouldnt sink in to much

 

[ridger]

We've only had 20mm of rain since drilling so would hope it wouldnt sink in to much

Mine didn't sink it at all it was in dust. But the tracks showed up and stayed all year

 

[dunkie]

Roll it in the spring.

 

[hindmaist]

If the seedbed is covered with big hard clods,they will help carry the weight of the tractor.If the ground is properly skinned up,is not wet underneath and the chits are very small and no rain is forecast I'd be happy to roll it with a light tractor and dual wheels....but if in doubt,don't.

 

[An Gof]

Your soil is likely different to mine. But if it's chitted then the answer here is No, No and No.
Be patient and wait until the spring.

 

[Gong Farmer]

What the blacksmith said. You might see no damage but the consequences of the alternative outcome are too serious to risk.

 

[Happy]

Never thought about not rolling seed after it had chitted until I joined here a couple of years ago and discovered most had it as a big no, no.

Never done any harm here. Obviously wouldn't do it if you've had a lot of rain between sowing and rolling making it damp at depth but if it's just been light showers stopping you from getting on then I've never had a problem rolling once chitted even just a couple of days before it starts peeping through the ground.

 

[Brisel]

I've had no problem once the wheat has a couple of leaves on it assuming the soil is dry enough, but that will compromise the herbicide timing. Spray it now & leave the rolling until Feb/March.

 

[Philip Watkins]

I've always been told roll before it chits or after it emerges.

 

[Oat]

There was a similar thread a few weeks ago discussing this. The conclusion was that rolling pre-em is vital, but if you can't do this, then wait for it establish and get a few leaves. Rolling during or very soon after emergence was generally a no-no.

Depending on your (expected) weed pressure, can you hold off applying a herbicide until after the crop has a few leaves and can be rolled?. You say that your seedbed wasn't perfect, so if it is a bit cloddy, then spraying residual chemicals now isn't going to be allow them to act their best. If you have sprayed already, or are expecting a lot of difficult weed (blackgrass?), that you can't risk waiting, then just be aware that you may have to spray again with residual or contact herbicides to achieve maximum control.

As others have said, you could roll in the spring, this will also give a tillering benefit. If you roll this autumn, then it will improve rooting, slug damage, reduce any frost lift and improve control from any residual herbicides you may be applying.

 

[Brisel]

Just don't apply any herbicides or other sprays within a couple of weeks of rolling or you'll scorch the crop badly.

 

[Jmakey]

Having another look at it today ive decided not to roll, there has been quite a chit with roots and a small shoot so i feel i may do more harm then good. Weed pressure is quite high especially with BG so will have to apply herbicide, i guess these are the problems with delayed drilling!!!

 

[ollie989898]

Having another look at it today ive decided not to roll, there has been quite a chit with roots and a small shoot so i feel i may do more harm then good. Weed pressure is quite high especially with BG so will have to apply herbicide, i guess these are the problems with delayed drilling!!!

If there are shoots on the seeds best to leave alone, you can crush and bust them by rolling now. If it was just seeds with a few tiny roots I would have said get on and do it.

Rolling in spring can leave marks in the crop all season as well, conditions need to be dry to depth. Believe me I have seen it done a million times in my area when the surface is dry but underneath is putty.

Also as above, don't spray a crop with anything after rolling it, leave a period of a week or so.