At a wheat field in Juancheng county, Shandong province, agricultural technology expert Zhou Shuzhen explained to onlookers while measuring soil moisture; "The greening and jointing period is a time prone to infection as well as expansion of root and stem diseases".
She told them in Fuchun town on Feb 19: "As it is also a period of growing damage to wheat from common pests, it is vital to closely track them and spot diseases such as wheat stripe rust, prepare pesticides and equipment early".
The aim is to usher in early detection, early warning, and early prevention and control, so as to greet a bumper harvest, she said.
After the Beginning of Spring in China's lunar calendar, and as the temperatures gradually rise and winter wheat is entering a critical period of greening and jointing, Fuchun town organized agricultural technicians to go deep into the fields and provide technical guidance to farmers on wheat management.
As a farming area, Juancheng has a cultivation land of over 65,884.35 hectares, and a plantation land of more than 12,967.3 hectares. Back in 2023, its output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery reached 6.516 billion yuan ($917.7 million), an annual hike of 4.5 percent.
"With less precipitation and faster soil moisture dispersion this winter, there is a greater risk of spring drought, and a high number of pests, crop diseases, and weeds in some fields, making preventing them a must to safeguard wheat yield," said Wen Fuqiang, director of the town's agricultural office, to onlooking farmers.
Their technology services have won farmers' warm welcome.
Zhang Shangyi, a grain grower in Zhangyoufang village, said "I planted over 300 mu (20 hectares) of wheat this year, and as there are both strong and weak seedlings, I am very confused at how to manage them. Today, after listening to the guidance of agricultural technology experts, I felt more at ease".
"After going back home, I will fertilize and water the crops, to ensure a good harvest," he added.
Gao Feng, director of the Agricultural Comprehensive Service Center in Fuchun town, noted: "This year, the wheat planting area in Fuchun reached more than 40,000 mu, and we have organized over 10 agricultural technicians and experts to tour different areas and provide technical guidance to each village."
"From the current situation, we can see that the wheat is growing well and the pest control measures are in place," Gao said, adding that "We will strengthen our monitoring and guidance work, ensuring that there are no problems during this critical period of wheat growth, and safeguarding this year's summer grain harvest".
