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. The winter form has main economic importance. Individual varieties show different winter hardiness, but generally triticale is a species quite resistant to frost.
WINTER TRITICALE – to go through the entire life cycle, it needs a period of low temperature in winter. During this time in plant occur processes (vernalization) which are needed for generative development. It is important that before winter dormancy the triticale has created a strong root system and reached the full tillering stage.
For intensive development of the root system, it is necessary to provide plants with phosphorus (P). The absorption of phosphorus from the soil in autumn is sometimes inhibited, e.g. when the soil temperature falls below 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. In autumn, micronutrients (PLONVIT® CEREALS) are also important, especially: manganese (AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22, MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13, MIKROVIT® MANGANESE) and molybdenum (MIKROVIT® MOLYBDENUM), thanks to which plants are better prepared for the upcoming winter.
After the start of spring vegetation it is recommended to use the first soil nitrogen application. To increase nitrogen uptake and yield efficiency, it is necessary to have availability of other nutrients for plants: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and micronutrients. Required amount of micronutrients provides specialized foliar fertilizer PLONVIT® CEREALS.
Copper (Cu) takes on particular significance at this time. The effective source of which are: AMINO ULTRA® Cu-24, MIKROCHELAT™ Cu-15, MIKROVIT® COPPER. It is also recommended to feed plants with sulfur (SULVIT) in early spring to increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization.
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® KALPRIM, PLONVIT® KALI, PLONVIT® UNI PK 10:20.
The good condition of plants throughout the growing season determines the triticale yield. Even short-term deficiency of nutrient may have a negative impact on plant growth and yield. Therefore it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the plants needs at every stage of their development. This will allow to properly feed and biostimulate them.
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.
All the activities discussed have a significant impact on the yield increase and its quality parameters.
