Feeding winter wheat in spring: what fertilizers to apply and the rate per 1 ha
The development and yield of wheat directly depend on the amount of nutrients in the soil. With a lack of nutrients, plants lag behind in growth. In addition, there is a decrease in leaf mass and the number of grains. With the help of proper feeding of winter wheat in the spring, it is possible to significantly increase grain quality and yield parameters. It is important to follow the fertilizer instructions when doing this.
Types and timing of feeding
The early start of the spring growing season of winter crops is accompanied by low temperatures and short daylight hours. In such a situation, the required amount of nutrients is not produced during photosynthesis and the development of leaf plates slows down.Therefore, cereals should definitely be provided with valuable nutrients. They require nitrogen, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus.
At the same time, it is important to adhere to the system of applying nutrients:
- The first top dressing is carried out in early spring. At this stage, it is worth using easily digestible nitrogen substances. For this, ammonium nitrate is usually used. It is considered the most harmless type of top dressing. The consumption rate should be calculated taking into account the condition of the crops and the start of the growing season. With good development of shoots at 2-3 stages of organogenesis, it is worth adding 30% nitrogen. This helps the wheat to form powerful stems, increase spreading and stand density. When part of the crops freeze after winter, the nitrogen rate should be determined taking into account the degree of liquefaction.
- The second feeding is carried out at the 2nd stage of organogenesis. At the same time, winter wheat is at the stage of entering the tube. The optimal dosage is selected according to the first application. The minimum amount is 50% of the total nitrogen requirement.
- The third time you need to apply the remaining fertilizer. The procedure is carried out from the moment heading starts until the grains are completely filled. At this stage, the activity of the upper leaves and the effectiveness of photosynthesis increase.
Main features of top dressing on frozen soil
For top dressing on frozen soil, a common nitrogen preparation UAN is used, which is a carbamide-ammonia mixture. The most common grades include 28 and 32. They show the percentage of nitrogen. The drug contains the active substance in 3 forms - ammonium, nitrate and amide.
Vegetation of winter wheat in spring is not very active. Therefore, the listed forms are assimilated gradually. KAS 28 brand is used at lower temperatures - up to -9 degrees. CAS 32 is allowed to be used at a temperature of at least 0 degrees.
What substances are needed for winter wheat?
Winter wheat requires a whole complex of nutrients, each of which is responsible for certain functions. It is especially important to feed the cereal when sowing the same plots every year and neglecting the rules of crop rotation. In such a situation, after harvesting, the soil is greatly depleted. Therefore, when planting cultivated plants, you must definitely take care of feeding.
Different means are used to replenish nutrient reserves. One of the most common drugs is s altpeter. It is also useful to combine organic and mineral fertilizers. Features of their use are presented in the table:
Crop AvailabilityFlow | Mineral | Chemical | Fast | |
High | Organic | Animal-Vegetable | It takes time to break down | |
Low |
It is recommended to combine organic and mineral preparations, taking into account the general norm of incoming substances. At the same time, a small lack of nutrients is better than their excess.
Application Rates
Fertilization in wheat cultivation is conditionally divided into several stages. It is required to start feeding crops in the fall. It is recommended to use nitrogen - no more than 30 kilograms per 1 ha.
Spring feeding of wheat includes the following steps:
- The application of nitrogen fertilizers in early spring at 2-3 stages of organogenesis increases tillering and density by 1 hectare. This top dressing is also called regenerative. At the same time, the dose is regulated taking into account the condition of the plants and the timing of the beginning of the restoration of vegetation.At this stage, 30-60 kilograms of active ingredient are required.
- The second top dressing is carried out at the stage of entering the tube. This helps to improve the growth of lateral stems and increase the grain size of the ear. The dosage is adjusted taking into account the first feeding and is 50% of the total nitrogen - N 60-90.
- The third top dressing falls on the stage of heading and grain filling. At this time, the last part of nitrogen is introduced in the amount of N 30-60. This helps to continue the vegetative process of the upper leaves and increase the intensity of photosynthesis.
Which fertilizer to choose for wheat?
In order for wheat to grow and develop normally, it needs to be fed in a timely and correct manner.
Nitrogen supplements
Nitrogen has unique properties and benefits cereal plants. The substance provides the growth of the root system and ground fragments of crops. In addition, it affects the vegetation period of the cereal. Nitrogen is mainly required by wheat during germination and subsequent development.
At the same time, it is impossible to apply too many nitrogen preparations in autumn. This reduces winter frost tolerance and increases susceptibility to pests and diseases. If winter cereals experience a lack of nitrogen, they lag behind in development and become pale green in color. In this case, the stems are thin, and the leaves are small. Lack of nitrogen during the formation of spikelets leads to a decrease in the fullness of the grains.
Phosphorus nutrition
Phosphorus plays an important role in the process of plant photosynthesis. It is present in the composition of accumulator compounds that affect the respiration and energy of crop growth. Phosphorus can reduce excess nitrogen and increase its efficiency.
This element affects the development of microorganisms in the soil structure and significantly increases their activity at the biological level. This substance gives the plant energy at all stages of development and on different types of soil.
Phosphorus should be applied immediately - when digging and planting seeds. It begins to act already at the stage of spitting sprouts. This substance is of particular importance at the stage of tube formation.
This element helps to grow roots and affects the friendly output of sprouts. It contributes to the protection of seedlings from severe frosts with the help of the accumulation of a sufficient amount of protective components - in particular, sugars. The substance provides protection against diseases and lodging, favorably affects the density and density of spikelets.
Potassium nutrition
Potassium is very important for the normal development of wheat. It helps to strengthen the immune system and increase frost resistance in harsh weather. Potassium is responsible for the nutrition and formation of the root system, and also helps to increase the mass of grains during the ripening period.
The maximum amount of potassium accumulates in the cereal during flowering. With the sudden onset of cold weather, the substance protects plants from hypothermia. It is able to move from old leaves to young ones. However, an excess of potassium in the cereal leads to early aging of plants.
Calcium nutrition
Calcium is responsible for the growth of any plant. It significantly increases the resistance of cereals to the influence of bacteria and fungi. Calcium deficiency affects the state of the root system, preventing its growth. As a result, it cannot normally be saturated with water and useful elements. As a crop grows, its need for calcium increases.
Magnesium nutrition
Magnesium is required for wheat for protein and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as for proper respiration. Saturation of cells with oxygen, in turn, favorably affects the development of the culture.With a lack of magnesium, wheat leaves turn yellow. To make up for the deficiency of this element, foliar feeding is carried out. It is necessary to make magnesium sulfate at the stage of completion of the formation of the tube and at the time of the beginning of the main tillering.
Sulfur food
Sulfur is responsible for protein metabolism. With a deficiency of this element, a slowdown in the development of culture occurs. Sulfur additives are recommended to be applied when digging the soil - before planting. The assimilation of sulfur is carried out throughout the entire growing season.
Organic fertilizers
To get the desired effect, organics should be applied to the soil in the fall. Thanks to this, in the spring it will be possible to saturate the soil with nutrients. Chicken manure, manure, humus are used as fertilizers. 25-30 tons of substances should be used per 1 hectare.
Application rules
To properly feed the wheat, you should follow these recommendations:
- use granules with a diameter of no more than 5 millimeters;
- Feeding moisture parameters should be 1.5-15%;
- to evenly distribute mixtures, you need to use a special technique.
The yield of winter wheat is determined by the quality and quantity of nutrients. That's why it's so important to follow fertilizer recommendations.
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