Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important species among cereals – its grain is the one of most important raw material for food and feed production.
Two forms of wheat are grown: winter and spring.
This species has the highest soil and nutritional requirements of all cereals.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur are supplied to the soil and then the supplying of plants with those nutrients could be improved by foliar feeding. In the case of micronutrients, the entire requirement of cereal crops for these nutrients can be met by foliar feeding.
WINTER WHEAT – needs a period of low temperature in winter to go through the entire growth and development cycle. At this time, process of vernalization takes place in the plant, which determines the generative plant development.
It is important that the wheat develops a strong root system and at least a fourth leaf before the winter dormancy, and ideally – that it begins tillering. The process of wheat tillering is continued in spring.
For intensive development of the root system, a good supply of plants with phosphorus (P) is necessary.
The uptake of phosphorus from the soil in autumn is sometimes limited, e.g. when the soil temperature drops below 12°C. Then foliar feeding with phosphorus, using such products as: GROWON® or PLONVIT® FOSTAR or 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, it is important to supply plants with micronutrients (PLONVIT® CEREALS), especially: manganese (AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22 or MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13 or MIKROVIT® MANGANESE) and molybdenum (MIKROVIT® MOLYBDENUM), thanks to which plants are better prepared for the upcoming winter.
After the start of spring vegetation, winter wheat continues tillering. Nitrogen is important for this process (soil fertilization can be enhanced by foliar feeding – PLONVIT® NITROMAG or PLONVIT® NITRO. To increase uptake and yield efficiency of nitrogen, the availability of other nutrients for plants is necessary: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S) and micronutrients, the source of which is the specialty foliar fertilizer PLONVIT® CEREALS. Of all the microelements, copper (Cu) is particularly important at that time, the sources of which are proven in practice fertilizers: AMINO ULTRA® Cu-24, MIKROCHELAT™ Cu-15 or MIKROVIT® COPPER.
The tillering growth phase ends with the beginning of the stem elongation. Foliar feeding in the initial stage of stem elongation is aimed at intensifying growth of biomass and to create conditions for good development of leaves, especially the flag leaf and sub-flag leaf.
During that period, a comprehensive feeding of macro- and micronutrients is recommended – PLONVIT® OPTY, PLONVIT® CEREALS. Among the all micronutrients, manganese (Mn) is of particular importance at this time, the sources of which are proven in practice fertilizers: AMINO ULTRA® Mn-22 or MIKROCHELAT™ Mn-13 or MIKROVIT® MANGANESE.
In the next stages of crop formation (heading, flowering, fertilization, kernel development and maturation), it is important to perform treatments focused on keeping the flag and sub-flag leaves in good condition. This has a positive effect on the transport of assimilates to kernels, which increases the quantity and quality of the yield.
It is also very important to support proper water management in the plant (especially during periods of water shortage), by foliar plant feeding with potassium (K) – PLONVIT® UNI PK 10:20, PLONVIT® KALPRIM or PLONVIT® KALI.
The good condition of plants throughout the growing season determines the wheat 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 is fertilizer ALKALIN™, which, in addition to the basic functions of bringing in nutrients, has shielding properties for plants: ALKALIN™ PK 10:20.
All these presented actions significantly affect the yield increase and its quality parameters.
