Key developmental stages of winter wheat,Triticum aestivum

Winter wheat,Triticum aestivum, is important as both a forage and grain crop in the central and southern Great Plains of the United States. A simpler system of describing winter wheat developmental stages than those currently being used is needed. Ten key developmental stages are described: 1) germination and emergence, 2) tillering, 3) leaves strongly erect, 4) node formation, 5) boot, 6) heading, 7) flowering, 8) grain filling, 9) ripening, and 10) maturity. All stages can be visually identified in the field with a minimum of training and are important with respect to grazing management, fertilizer applications, pest control, forage yield, and grain harvesting. Often no time factors can be placed on the occurrence of these stages due to environmental and cultivar differences. A discussion of stress influences on grain and forage yield is included.