How to Grow Organic Wheat on the Small Farm

As the interest and demand for organic foods grows, small farmers interested in growing small grains may be interested in growing organic wheat. Learn about natural ways to control pests and diseases in this horticultural crop.

Choosing Wheat Cultivars for Organic Farming

Choosing disease resistant cultivars is a key element in raising organic wheat. Wheat cultivars resistant to barley yellow dwarf disease include Serra, Trical Brand 116, and RSI 59. Farmers with leaf rust problems can plant the resistant wheat varieties Bravadur, Clear White, or Express. Anza, Duraking, and Orita wheat cultivars resist powdery mildew disease. Wheat cultivars that resist Septoria tritici blotch include Platinum and Trical Brand 102.

Control Wheat Diseases

Organic farmers must contend with five primary wheat diseases:

• Barley yellow dwarf is a viral disease transmitted by aphids, so planting wheat late in the season when aphids are less active can control the disease. Farmers can also control barley yellow dwarf by planting resistant cultivars.
• Leaf rust fungi is most active in growing seasons with high humidity and abnormally low temperatures. Planting resistant cultivars is the most effective way for organic farmers to prevent the disease.
• Powdery mildew is common in wheat crops that have received too much nitrogen fertilizer, are planted too closely, or have poor weed control. Crop rotation and the reduction of weed hosts reduce favorable growing conditions for the spores.
• Septoria tritici blotch is most problematic in early wheat varieties. Planting late varieties when weather conditions are unfavorable to pathogen survival can reduce outbreaks.
• Bacterial leaf blight can be controlled by eliminating overhead watering when outbreaks occur.

Control Wheat Insect Pests

Insect pests not only damage the wheat crop directly, they also act as wheat disease vectors by transporting spores and viruses from infected plants. Although many common insect pests can affect wheat, there are some pests specific to wheat, grasses, and small grains that farmers must control:

Aphids are not one species of insect pest, but rather comprise a family of insects in the Hemiptera order that comprises dozens of species. Three aphid species of interest to wheat farmers include the bird cherry-oat aphid, the English grain aphid, and the rose grain aphid. However, it isn’t necessary to identify the individual species, as general aphid control methods apply to all three types. Control options include insect growth regulators like Azatin and Neemix or release of ladybugs.

Several nematode species feed on the roots of wheat crops. Depending on the species of nematode, damage may include gall formation on roots, plant stunting, and failure to form wheat heads. Farmers can prevent nematode infestations from spreading by using good sanitation between fields, such as washing equipment with a high-pressure hose. Controlling weeds and allowing fields to lie fallow for a growing season also controls nematode populations.

Sources:

University of California Integrated Pest Management Program

BugGuide