Wheat is an important forage and food crop. Winter crops with proper care give good yields and show high resistance to adverse climatic conditions.
Germination occurs at an air temperature of +14+16°C. But to get a rich harvest, winter wheat must be fed well throughout the growing season. But to get a rich harvest, winter wheat must be fed well throughout the growing season.
Growth and development phases of winter wheat
Winter wheat goes through six developmental phases from the day of sowing to the beginning of harvesting:
- seed germination;
- tillering phase with the formation of lateral sprouts;
- output into the tube;
- earing (spikelet sprouting);
- flowering period;
- maturation.
The longest growth phase is ripening. At this stage, the formation of grains takes place. Within 2 weeks, they acquire a milky ripeness with retained moisture content of 50-60%.
Nutrition of winter wheat by phase
Winter wheat is demanding to soil fertility, cannot tolerate acidity, lack of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as micronutrients.
An optimal winter wheat nutrition system includes applying mineral and foliar fertilizers during the following periods:
- basic soil treatment (mineral fertilizers);
- seed pretreatment (dressing) with insecticidal and fungicidal preparations together with complex fertilizers;
- active vegetation, when it is necessary to ensure the growth of the upper leaves and increase photosynthesis.
During the first treatment, phosphorus-potassium fertilizer is applied. This ensures the strength of the root system of plants, increases their resistance to frost and improves tillering. With sufficient amounts of potassium and phosphorus, as well as micronutrients in the soil there is an active accumulation of sugars, and this greatly facilitates overwintering and enhances growth in the early spring period. Quality winter wheat nutrition increases overall yields by making plants more resistant to negative weather conditions.
The size of the future crop is established during the emergence phase. It is during this period it is necessary to take care about the introduction of fertilizers with nitrogen, as well as complex fertilizers, which have a positive effect not only on the number of seedlings, but also make it possible to level out or eliminate the negative effects of the precursor plants.
Fertilizer application is carried out three times: in the tillering phase, in the phase of the emergence of a tube and in the phase of earing of grain. Also in these phases, additional foliar feedings, which make up for the lack of micronutrients that are lost during removal. Complex fertilizers as well as mono fertilizers are used.
Important points in mineral nutrition
To obtain a high yield of winter wheat and increase its winter hardiness, it is recommended to use liquid (chelate) forms of fertilizers. They are assimilated as fully as possible and are well accepted by the plants.
For nitrogen nutrition of winter wheat to be more effective, it is important to use sulfur. You should also avoid overfeeding your plants. Excessive nitrogen in the soil reduces winter hardiness. It also leads to overgrowth of the plants. Agronomists take into account the fact that wheat gets only 30 percent of its nitrogen from the soil. The remaining amount is taken exclusively from mineral fertilizers applied at different phases of growth and development for winter crops.
When providing quality mineral nutrition to wheat, it is important to monitor soil acidity. It should be in the range of 6-7.5 pH. Additional use of zinc is recommended when growing winter wheat.
Agro-support service of “Zoloto Poley” company will consult you and make up a program of winter wheat nutrition with the use of preparations produced by “Zoloto Poley”. Agro-support phone number *26-01 (free call in Russia)
