Triticale is a cereal that combines the characteristics of wheat and rye. Triticale grain basically is a feed source. It has a very limited use in bakery, but it can be used for the production of malt and bioethanol.
Triticale has lower soil requirements than wheat and barley, and also has higher tolerance to low soil pH. It is also more resistant to diseases, which requires less intense plant protection products use.
The advantage of triticale is the high yield potential. Under favourable growing conditions, the potential yields are higher than wheat and rye (triticale produces more flowers in the ear). However, since most often, weaker soils are used for the cultivation of triticale, so to obtain a satisfactory yield (in addition to favourable weather conditions), proper crop maintenance are necessary – including appropriate soil fertilization, foliar nutrition and biostimulation. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S) are applied directly in soil and as a foliar supplements, while full amount of micronutrient cereal needs can be applied by foliar spraying.
Two forms of triticale are grown: winter and spring.
SPRING TRITICALE should be sown as early as possible because it has the longest growing season compared to other spring cereals. The disadvantage of this species is the tendency to grain sprouting in ears, which is why the harvesting should be done right after seeds reach the full maturity. Biostimulation and foliar supplementation of spring triticale are comparable with spring wheat.
A well-developed root system allows plants to efficiently uptake water and nutrients from the soil. For intensive development of the root system, it is necessary to provide plants with phosphorus (P). The uptake of phosphorus from the soil in early spring may be limited (it is possible only at temperatures above 12°C). Then foliar feeding with phosphorus, using such products as: GROWON®, PLONVIT® FOSTAR, PLONVIT® PHOSPHO is very beneficial for the development of young plants. The ROOTSTAR™ activator can also be used for intensification of root system development.
Nitrogen (N) is important for the tillering process. In order to increase nitrogen uptake and its yield building efficiency, the availability of other macro- and microelements for plants is also necessary. The foliar application of phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micronutrients – is very beneficial for the tillering process (PLONVIT® OPTY, PLONVIT® UNI PK 10:20, PLONVIT® CEREALS). Of all the microelements copper (Cu) takes on particular significance, at this time. The effective source of which are: AMINO ULTRA® Cu-24, MIKROCHELAT™ Cu-15, MIKROVIT® COPPER.
Reason of foliar feeding in the initial period of stem elongation is to intensify biomass growth and create conditions for good development of leaves, in particular flag leaf and sub-flag leaf. During that period, a comprehensive feeding of macro- and micronutrients is recommended – PLONVIT® OPTY, PLONVIT® CEREALS. Of all the microelements, manganese (Mn) takes on particular significance at this time. The effective source of which are: AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22, MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13, MIKROVIT® MANGANESE.
In the next stages of yield creation (heading, flowering, fertilization, development and maturation of kernels), treatments purpose is to keep the flag and sub-flag leaf in good condition and thus intensive transport of assimilates to kernels – yield quantity and quality improvement. It is also very important to support proper water management in the plant (especially during periods of water deficiency), through foliar feeding with potassium (K) – PLONVIT® UNI PK 10:20, PLONVIT® KALPRIM, PLONVIT® KALI.
The good condition of plants throughout the growing season determines the triticale yield.
Even short-term nutrient deficiency may have a negative impact on plant growth and yield. Therefore, it is necessary comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the plants at any stage of their development. This will allow them to be properly fed and biostimulated.
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™ K+Si, ALKALIN™ KB+Si, ALKALIN™ PK 10:20.
All these presented actions significantly affect the yield increase and its quality parameters.
