Barley, in terms of acreage, is the fourth cereal crop in the world (after wheat, rice and maize). Two types of barley are grown: winter and spring barley. The cultivation of spring type dominates in Poland.
Depending on the intended use of the barley grain, specific different grain quality standards are required, which results in differences in the technology of cultivating feed barley and malt barley.
Root system of barley plants is significantly weaker than other cereal crops, which results in lower nutrient and water uptake from soil. For this reason, this species – in addition to balanced soil fertilization – requires supplementary foliar nutrition. Grain of feed barley is an important component of concentrated animal feed and it is also used in the food industry.
The winter type of barley has a higher yield potential, but its cultivation is subjected to risk due to the weaker winter hardiness compared to other winter cereal crops. It is important to perform sowing in time which allows plants to complete tillering before winter dormancy. Therefore, in the fall, the number of vegetative shoots is determined.
During this time, phosphorus (P) uptake from the soil is sometimes inhibited, e.g. when the soil temperature drops below 12°C. Therefore, foliar plant nutrition with phosphorus (GROWON® or PLONVIT® FOSTAR or PLONVIT® PHOSPHO) – has a very beneficial effect for the development of young plants. The ROOTSTAR™ activator is also used to intensify the development of the root system. The foliar supply of plants with micronutrients (PLONVIT® CEREALS), intensifies uptake of nutrients from soil and strengthens the tillering process.
In autumn, the most important are: manganese (AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22, MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13, MIKROVIT® MANGANESE) and molybdenum (MIKROVIT® MOLYBDENUM) thanks to which the plants are better prepared for the coming winter.
Development of vegetative stems begins after the start of spring vegetation. Some of stems turn to stems with ears. The proper further plant development – stem elongation, heading, flowering, kernel setting and grain yield formation – depends on environmental factors (air and soil temperature and water availability) and agrotechnical factors, including proper plant fertilization.
The first dose or the total amount of nitrogen (N) is applied at the beginning of spring vegetation. In order to increase nitrogen uptake and yield forming efficiency, the availability of other nutrients for plants such as: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S) is necessary.
Therefore it’s recommended to support soil fertilization with foliar feeding: macronutrients (PLONVIT® OPTY, magnesium sulphate) and microelements (PLONVIT® CEREALS).
Of the micronutrients, a special role is played by: manganese (AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22, MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13, MIKROVIT MANGANESE) and copper (AMINO ULTRA® Cu-24, MIKROCHELAT™ Cu-15, MIKROVIT® COPPER). In case of low soil organic matter content or in drought conditions, especially in May, there may be a need for foliar supply of boron (B) – MIKROVIT® BORON TURBO or MIKROVIT® BORON.
INTERMAG’s wide range of products, allows you to develop your own individual foliar fertilization and biostimulation program, considering local soil conditions, crop intensity, stage of plant development and availability of various products.
Particularly noteworthy are the highly alkaline line of fertilizers ALKALIN™, which, in addition to the basic functions of bringing in nutrients, have shielding properties for plants: ALKALIN™ PK 10:20.
All these presented actions significantly affect the yield increase and its quality parameters.
