Wheat has a very important “factory” underground, which is its root system. Beyond nutrient absorption, wheat roots are crucial for transporting the nutrients produced by the leaves to the roots where they interact with absorbed nutrients to transform and transport them to various growing parts. Thus, although roots are underground, they are indeed a vital “factory.”
Proper drainage is one way to ensure healthy root growth in wheat fields.
Why is this necessary? It’s important to understand the characteristics of wheat roots.
Like humans, wheat roots need to breathe, hence they cannot survive without air. The soil contains many small pores and granules that store air for the roots to breathe. Typically, 10-15% of the soil volume needs to be air-filled pores to suffice for the roots’ needs. Besides air, roots also require the right temperatures. Cold soil inhibits root growth; obviously, roots also need moisture and nutrients.
To facilitate good root growth in wheat, these conditions must be met, which necessitates maintaining sufficient air in the soil. Air supply itself is not something that needs to be provided, but it must be preserved. The way to protect it is through careful attention to drainage. If drainage is poor, heavy rains can quickly clog the soil’s pores with water, displacing the air and leading to a lack of oxygen in the soil. This can cause the roots to suffocate and die over time. Excess water can also submerge wheat seedlings, which typically die if submerged for 6-10 days. In low-lying areas, where soil moisture is already high, drainage ditches should be constructed even without heavy rainfall.
If there is too much water beneath the soil, the roots are reluctant to grow downward. However, to access air, they must grow near the surface, resulting in shallow roots that do not support the plants well, making them prone to lodging.
Therefore, drainage is a critical management practice in wheat field cultivation.