In addition to its own wheat varieties, our company produces grain seeds in the prov-inces of Çorum, Amasya, Ankara, Tekirdağ, Edirne, Kırklareli, Istanbul, Balıkesir, Konya, Aksaray, Karaman and Adana with the varieties it procures from the Institutes. Our company, which carries out seed production in our Tekirdağ, Konya and Çorum grain seed processing and packaging facilities, jointly with Tekirdağ, Mersin, Ankara, Sam-sun and Konya Tarım Kredi Kooperatifleri Regional Unions, and in its own organiza-tions in Çorum. Certified seeds, produced with great care and attention at every stage, are sold to Tarım Kredi Kooperatifleri

CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS: Wheat plant requires low temperature and abundant humid air in the early stages of its growth period. During this germination and tillering, the temperature desired by wheat is 5–10 °C and the humidity is 60%. In the second stage of wheat development, at stalking, a temperature of 10–15 °C and a relative humidity of 65% are required. Cool climate grains (barley, rye), especially wheat, are quite resistant to winter. There are differences among wheat varieties in terms of winter hardiness. Knowing the winter resistance of the variety to be planted in a region in advance will enable the producer to choose the right seed. Producers' selection of the right seed that can be adapted to their region will ensure that wheat products are protected from frost damage during severe winter cold.

SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Although the wheat plant grows in all types of soil, high yields are generally obtained from deep, clayey, loamy-clayey, humus-rich soils. On the other hand, it is possible to grow pasta wheat in poorer soils than bread wheat.

SOIL PREPARATION: The main reason for tilling the soil is to prepare the seed bed. In the dry farming areas where both the fallow-grain system and grain cultivation is carried out every year, in a way to prepare the appropriate germination and emergence environment for the seeds, it is used at the appropriate time for the regions with tools that work from the bottom without overturning the soil, minimizing water loss, disrupting the structure of the soil the least, and significantly reducing erosion. The soil cultivation will provide many benefits such as making the sowing machines work more easily, preparing a better seed bed for the seeds, ensuring smoother germination and emergence and ensuring productivity. In humid or irrigated areas where fallowless agriculture is practiced and crops are harvested every year, the soil should be plowed to a depth of 15-20 cm immediately after harvest, while there is shade. Before planting, a good seed bed should be prepared by plowing with a crow's foot + rake set. The field should be processed with a bottom boiler at a depth of 60-70 cm to break the base stone formed at the plow processing level, once every 4-5 years. One of the most important problems encountered during soil preparation in our country is stubble burning. Our farmers burn the stubble for the following reasons: to prepare a better seed bed, to destroy weeds and pests, to ensure that the seeder sows as desired if they are going to plant another crop immediately after harvest, and to ensure that the seeder eyes are not blocked with stubble stalks. The benefit this will bring is very small compared to the damage it will cause. What are the damages encountered as a result of stubble burning? By burning stubble, organic matter in the soil is destroyed by burning. Humus, a decomposition product of organic matter, is the source of some of the nutrients necessary for the development of plants. Organic matter helps absorb and retain rainfall water in the soil. It ensures clumping in the soil and prevents it from being carried away by erosion. It ensures good aeration of the soil. Organic matter, which has already been determined to be less than 1% in our soil, is gradually destroyed by burning stubble, which is a vegetal residue. In short, the decrease and destruction of organic matter makes soils more inefficient and more susceptible to erosion.

What should be done to prevent stubble burning? Preparing a better seed bed, which is the reason for our farmers to burn stubble, should be done using modern agricultural techniques. Grain harvests should be done with a combine harvester close to the soil surface. When the grain is harvested just below the ear, the stubble remains very high and it becomes more difficult for microorganisms to break it down and turn it into organic matter by rotting. To facilitate post-harvest disintegration and rotting, the stubble should be mixed into the soil using a stalk-shredding tool. In order to ensure that the stubble breaks down and decomposes more quickly and turns into organic matter, nitrogen balancing fertilizer should be applied at the rate of approximately 1% of the remaining straw (around 2-3 kg/da N). In addition, pesticide control should be done instead of burning stubble to destroy weeds and pests.

SOWING: One of the prerequisites for obtaining high efficiency and quality products per decare in wheat farming is to ensure regular germination and emergence by planting at an appropriate time. These objectives should be taken into consideration when choosing planting times and methods. Sowing Time: One of the most important factors determining the sowing time in wheat farming is the soil temperature in the seed bed. If planting is done when the soil temperature is 8-10 °C, root development will be rapid and the root crown will be deep. Planting at this appropriate time increases resistance to cold and drought. Although it varies by region, the planting date is between 15 September and 15 November. Planting Depth: Winter wheat can be planted at a depth of 5-6 cm. Depending on the thousand grain weight or size of the seed to be planted, this depth may be 4-5 cm for small seeds and 5-6 cm for large seeds.

Sowing Method: Sowing can be done with flat, combined or pressure drills. Sowing Methods and Problems Encountered in Cereals: The drills used in barley-wheat planting are either single-eyed and can be planted by mixing seeds with fertilizer, or they can be planted by leaving the seeds and fertilizers on the same band, although the seed and fertilizer compartments are separate. The following problems occur when planting with these planting machines, especially when there is insufficient moisture in the soil. Fertilizer particles are present in the seed bed along with the seeds, and the water-attracting particles rapidly absorb water, reducing the water required for seed germination. It becomes difficult for the seed to absorb water due to the dissolved fertilizer particles increasing the osmotic pressure of the soil solution around the seed. ALTERNATION: Planting the same plant in the same field repeatedly in agricultural areas causes the soil to become poor and the diseases of that plant to increase. For this reason, rotation must be made in order to obtain high efficiency in wheat agriculture. Some rotation models that the wheat plant will enter may be as follows: 1st Model: Sunflower + Wheat + Legume + Corn 2nd Model: Sugar Beet + Corn + Wheat + Legume 3rd Model: Wheat + Sunflower + Melon-watermelon + Corn 4th Model: Legume + Wheat + Sunflower + Corn

FERTILIZATION: Wheat is a plant that generally responds best to fertilizer. N, P, K are the macronutrients consumed most by wheat. Nitrogen is the nutrient element that wheat removes the most from the soil. It is recommended to apply 12 - 14 kg of nitrogen per decare for bread wheat under irrigated conditions, 14 - 18 kg per decare for pasta wheat under irrigated conditions, and 6 kg of nitrogen per decare in dry conditions. It is recommended to apply nitrogen in two parts in dry conditions and in three parts in aqueous conditions. Phosphorus uptake in wheat is highest during the stemming period, which occurs in early or mid-April. For the wheat plant to yield 400 kg of grain per decare, approximately 5-6 kg of phosphorus is removed from the decare. 6 kg of pure phosphorus for dry conditions and 9 kg of pure phosphorus for wet conditions are suitable for wheat cultivation. Potassium fertilization is generally not applied because wheat's potassium need is low and most of our soils are rich in available potassium. If phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are to be applied, it is recommended to apply all of them together with planting. Micronutrient deficiencies in wheat generally occur in alkaline soils. In soil applications in case of Zn deficiency, 0.5 – 1.5 kg Zn is applied per decare before planting, and in foliar applications, 40 – 120 g Zn (zinc) is applied according to soil analysis results. Points to consider in nitrogen fertilizer application: In some years, in regions with sufficient rainfall, early spring rainfall may be low. In this case, the amount of second top fertilizer should be reduced. If it is not reduced, the water consumption of the plant increases due to excess nitrogen and the amount of water in the soil is depleted in a short time and what we call burning in wheat occurs. In regions with sufficient rainfall, excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers in order to harvest more crops per decare may cause the plant to become dormant and may increase the degree of damage caused by disease factors such as rust. Nitrogen intake according to the development periods of wheat: Germination - Tillering 13% Tillering - Tillering 11% Stemming - Ear Formation 60% Ear Formation - Maturation 16%

Fertilizer Application Methods

Essential nutrients can be applied as a pre-planting broadcast. Basic nutrients, seed and fertilizer should be applied to separate bands. Nitrogen should be divided into many parts by sprinkler or drip irrigation systems.

IRRIGATION: In our country, wheat is generally grown without irrigation. In places where irrigation facilities are available, wheat should be watered during germination and flowering periods. However, in dry years, irrigation should be done when the plant is stressed, without waiting for these critical periods. The amount and distribution of spring precipitation is very important in wheat farming, which is carried out in largely arid climate conditions such as Konya. It is seen that water consumption starts to increase starting from March, shows a significant increase in April and reaches its maximum value in May. April-May rainfalls are of great importance in determining the number of spikes per unit area, potential and actual spikelets and flower numbers, and are the most important climatic factors determining the final yield. 61.97% of the cultivated agricultural lands in Konya province are irrigable. However, only 20.70% (341,000 ha) of irrigable lands have been opened for irrigation. Wheat and barley are cultivated in approximately half of these areas. The lands opened to irrigation correspond to 12.83% of the cultivated agricultural lands. When there is not enough rainfall in the spring, if our farmers have the opportunity to irrigate, they can give one water during the harvest period (end of March in this region), and one water during the milking period (end of April in this region). As can be seen, if April is dry, one irrigation during the budding period, and then a second irrigation during the milking period if there is not enough rain in May, can provide a yield increase of over 100% in wheat compared to dry conditions.

WEED FIGHT IN WHEAT AGRICULTURE: It is very important to fight weeds in wheat farming, especially in the early stages when the weeds have 2-4 leaves, and it ensures 20-30% more productivity. Weeds, which have the ability to grow rapidly, quickly cover the useful field area, especially in the second half of March, and cause significant damage by hindering the development of the wheat plant and sharing plant nutrients. Weed control in wheat agriculture is carried out with cultural measures and chemical methods. Cultural Weed Control: Clean seed that does not contain weed seeds should be used in planting. Crop rotation should be done as much as possible. Weeds such as grasses, which grow and develop vegetatively through rhizomes, should be prevented from being moved from one field to another with the tools used during soil tillage. Weeds on the field borders should also be combated.

Chemical Weed Control: The most economical weed control in wheat agriculture is done with herbicides. In chemical control, pesticides selected according to the weed species seen in the field can be applied after planting or after emergence, depending on their usage characteristics. In the fight against this method, different pesticides are used depending on whether the dominant weeds in the grain fields are broad-leaved or narrow-leaved. If the dominant weeds in the field are broad-leaved weeds, 2,4 Amine group and MCPA compound drugs are most commonly used. The most appropriate spraying time for 2,4-D Amine and MCPA compounded drugs is the period before the wheat has finished tillering and rises to the stalk. In this period, wheat is 15-20 cm tall and weeds are in the 2-6 leaf stage. Applying herbicides should be avoided before tillering, during ear formation and flowering. Early spraying prevents tillering, and late spraying prevents the plant from growing taller and emerging from the spike sheath. Additionally, if spraying is delayed, the sprayer may hit and damage tall wheat plants. At the same time, if the weed control is delayed, the desired increase in productivity per decare cannot be achieved as the weeds consume a large amount of water and nutrients in the field.

If 2,4 Amine and MCPA group drugs are applied in very cold, overcast weather and extreme heat, the desired beneficial effect may not occur. For this reason, spraying in wheat farming should be done on a windless and rainless day when the air temperature is between 8-18 °C. If pesticide application is made on a windy day, summer crops, vegetable gardens and vineyard areas in the surrounding area may be damaged by the pesticide particles carried. The best results are obtained if it does not rain within approximately 6 hours after the application of this group of drugs. In recent years, modern herbicides have begun to be used. These drugs contain the effective substances Chlorosulforon, Tibenuron-methyl and Methyl Amine carbonyl, which are used in very low doses of 1-3 g per decare. However, when using Chlorosulforan group drugs, care should be taken not to use excessive doses. Otherwise, sunflower and other summer plants may be damaged by the rotation plants that will be planted the following year. Additionally, if there are grassy weeds such as wild oats, tares, chickweed and foxtail in the field, the drugs that can control them can be given 10 days after or before the main spraying, by mixing them with broad-leaf herbicides if possible. The nearest agricultural organization should be consulted to obtain information about the miscibility of the two drugs. Amount of Water to be Discharged per Decare for Weed Disinfestation: Pressurized back sprayers, sprayers that provide pressure by taking action from the tail shaft pulled by a tractor, or agricultural control planes can be used in weed control. The amount of water to be applied per decare is calculated by adjusting the spraying device according to field conditions. This amount is 20-60 liters for ground equipment and 3-5 liters for air transport, depending on how well the spraying device sprays, the spraying head used (T-jet or fan nozzle) and the development stages of the plants.

WHEAT DISEASES AND THEIR CONTROL

The most common wheat diseases in our region are; Scalp (blind), rust diseases (yellow rust, brown rust, black rust), smut, root and neck rot. Shooting (blind): Diseased plants are shorter than healthy ones. The grains take a shape close to round. When crushed, they appear to be filled with a mass of black powder. Control is carried out by using resistant varieties, summer planting and spraying the seeds before planting. Yellow Rust (Cinchona): Although it occurs on the stems and spikes as yellow, narrow, long, parallel dotted lines on the leaves, it is generally seen on the leaves and glumes. Brown Rust: It occurs after yellow rust. Its pustules are darker than those of yellow rust and lighter than those of black rust. Pustules form circular masses. Black Rust: It is the latest type of rust. Pustules are randomly distributed. It is clearly recognized by the tearing of the epidermis overlying the pustules.

Fighting Rust Diseases:

Using disease resistant varieties

To fight weeds

Medicated control Rastık: Diseased wheat is seen as soon as it sprouts an ear. Diseased plants are shorter and weaker than healthy ones, usually do not tiller and mature early. The ears of wheat are a mass of black dust at the time of flowering and are spores of the disease-causing fungus. These spores are dispersed by the wind and then only the spike axis is left behind. Challenge:

Disease-free seeds should be planted

Using disease resistant varieties

Spraying seeds

Root and crown rot in wheat: It mostly affects grasses. It is more common in winter grasses in dry farming regions. The disease is more active in alkaline soils. It is most evident during the heading period. The plant turns yellow and white prematurely. The ear does not hold grains or the grains remain weak. Sometimes it may not produce spikes. A rapid whitening is observed in the stem, leaves and spike. Challenge:

Disease-free seeds should be planted

Applying sufficient nitrogen fertilizer

Plowing and summer fallow reduce disease

seed spraying

Wheat Pests and Management Sunnip: It is a sucking insect with a wide body, earth-coloured, sometimes black, 11-12 mm long and 7-8 mm wide. It sucks the leaves and grain. Control: In principle, pest control should be done by spraying during the 1-3 year old young nymph period. Kimil: It is similar to the sunn, but its body is narrower and the head is larger than the sunn. The upper body is decorated with dark, yellow and slightly light spots. It has a 4-ring hose. It sucks the leaves and grain of wheat. Control: Pest control is carried out in two periods: on overwintered adults, nymphs and new generation adults. Ekin Beeswax: It is an insect with an average length of 10-15 mm, with an adult, dark, red color, wings with a light brown head and thorax with dark or black elytra. Their larvae cause damage by eating the roots of wheat, and their adults cause damage by gnawing the pods, husks and grains of the ears during the milking period of the grain. Control: It should be started one week after adult emergence in fields with an average of 14-15 adults per m2 and continued until the damage ends. Medicated control should be carried out in the cool part of the day, before the adults start to fly. Crop Moth: It is a small adult butterfly. The larvae that cause damage are dark yellow in color and are about 10 mm in length.

Its larvae enter the leaf and eat and destroy the parenchyma tissue between the lower and upper epidermis, preventing the plant from assimilating. This damaged part turns yellow as if damaged by frost, then dries. Control: When the larvae reach 6 mm, drug control should be done. Cropworm (Zabrus Sp): At the stage of pupation, the larvae are 30-35 mm long and whitish in color. The upper segments near the head are dark chestnut, the chest and feet are dark brown. The feet are digger shaped. There are nails at the ends. In adults, the head is large and its antennae are inside. Their color is reddish brown. The length of the pest is 14-16 mm. Zabrus larvae pull the ends of cereal leaves into their nests and continue eating until only leaf nerves, which form a ball-shaped residue on the soil surface, remain. After finishing the leaves coming from one root, they move on to the others. Challenge:

Cultural measures (alternation),

Mechanical struggle (pressure of the soil during the period when the larvae first appear),

It should be in the form of chemical control (seed and surface spraying).

Weeds: Weed control in wheat is important. Reductions of up to 30% in productivity have been detected in areas where weed control is not carried out. Important weeds seen in wheat cultivated fields: Wild mustard, yellow grass, wild cress, wild vetch, pelemir, honeydew, wild bud, foxtail, euphorbia, cornflower, wild oats, etc. Control: Weed control should be carried out with pesticides when they have 3-5 leaves. In wheat, the most appropriate spraying time is between tillering and stemming. Rotation is the most important cultural measure for weed control.

HARVEST: In wheat farming, harvesting is done with a combine harvester when the moisture content in the grain is around 13-15%. When harvest time comes, the plant is in full maturity and takes on the color of straw. If the harvest is started early, the stems and husks of the plant will be damp, so it may cause difficulties in harvesting with the machine, and being late in the harvest will increase the grain losses. Here, in the Black Sea coastal zone where wheat harvest is heavily rained during the summer, if the harvest is delayed too much, germination may occur as a result of the breakage of dormancy in the ears of wheat plants that are close to full maturity. This greatly reduces the seed and bread quality of the product. In these rainy regions, it is beneficial to harvest on time.