Foliar application of winter wheat

Growing winter wheat is associated with certain difficulties. This is a fairly demanding culture in terms of nutrition. Only a complete and balanced supply of nutrients allows this type of grain to reach its potential. For crops of winter wheat, pre-sowing fertilizers are traditionally used. However, there are a number of obstacles due to which nutrients are absorbed poorly or not absorbed at all. In addition, the introduction of an exclusively standard complex (nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus) cannot fully satisfy the needs of winter wheat. For full development, other macro- and microelements are also required, the lack of which affects the intensity of growth, the ability to withstand diseases and adverse conditions. weather conditions, on the resumption of the spring vegetation and, ultimately, on the productivity of the crop.

Elements needed by wheat

To ensure the normal development of plants throughout the growing season, a sufficient amount of macro- and microelements is necessary. In addition to the aforementioned nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, winter wheat needs sulfur, calcium, and magnesium. Without sulfur, complete absorption of nitrogen is impossible. With a deficiency of calcium and magnesium, the growth of the root system worsens, the development of plants slows down.

No less important are trace elements, in particular zinc, boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum. They have a direct impact on all life processes. In addition, the lack of trace elements very quickly affects the ability of winter wheat to resist diseases and pests.

Why is root nutrition not enough?

Many agrarians, using only mineral fertilizers, are subsequently surprised at the lack of the expected effect. Thus, in order to increase the yield, it is imperative to carry out complex fertilization. But even if there are enough nutrients in the soil, it is not a fact that wheat will absorb them. There are several reasons:

1. The root system does not fall into the fertilizer layer.

Young roots are able to capture nutrients at a distance of no more than 20 mm. Therefore, a significant part of the nutrients introduced into the soil is inaccessible to them. Placing fertilizers in close proximity to the root system is also fraught with trouble: an increased concentration of salts can provoke various diseases, and even the death of the roots.

2. There are no favorable conditions for the growth of the root system.

Heat or, conversely, too low temperature are an obstacle to the development of the root system. Not only growth slows down, but also the absorption of nutrients. In order for the roots to stop absorbing potassium and phosphorus, even a slight decrease in temperature is enough - up to 10-12 degrees. This is especially true for late sowings of winter wheat with an underdeveloped root system. But even if crops are made on time, and the volume of roots is sufficient, a decrease in temperature affects the availability of elements. As a result, the plant cannot provide itself with food even if all the necessary substances are present in the soil.

3. Moisture deficiency

Plants can absorb fertilizers only in the presence of moisture, and the soil solution must have a certain concentration. Low soil moisture in the absence of rainfall is one of the main reasons why winter wheat cannot obtain nutrients through the roots. In addition, some elements (for example, boron) may be present in the soil in the form of poorly soluble compounds. If there is not enough water, they cease to be absorbed at all.

However, there is another danger here. If the soil is oversaturated with mineral salts, during a period of drought, this can cause significant damage to the root system. That is why in regions where there is little rainfall, it is recommended to limit the application of fertilizers before sowing.

4.Battery incompatibility

Not all elements necessary for the development of winter wheat are compatible with each other. For example, a large amount of phosphorus in the soil provokes a deficiency of iron, zinc and copper. From soils rich in potassium, plants absorb magnesium poorly, even if it is quite enough.

Winter wheat foliar applications provide an opportunity to compensate for nutrient deficiencies in all of these situations.

UREA - THE MAIN SOURCE OF GRAIN QUALITY

Carbamide (urea) is one of the most popular nitrogen fertilizers, which is successfully used to feed many plants, especially wheat. The use of urea in the late phases of development allows you to increase the protein and gluten of the grain.

The introduction of carbamide is possible both as the main fertilizer and in the form of foliar dressings. Foliar feeding of wheat with carbamide can be applied on various types of soils (on acidic soils it is desirable to use calcium carbonate together with urea).

If foliar feeding of winter wheat with carbamide is carried out, the application rate is determined by the phase of plant development. In the period before the flag leaf, the concentration of urea in aqueous solution should not exceed 10%. A solution with a higher concentration leads to leaf burns.

Later, when the leaves become coarser, the percentage of carbamide in the solution can be increased. If the rules of use are followed, then even a 20% concentration is safe. But in sunny, dry weather with low air humidity, it is advisable to use less concentrated solutions.

For better absorption during foliar feeding, urea is applied in a small droplet way. And in order for top dressing to be as effective as possible, they use not only urea, but a mixture of nutrients (both macro- and micro-). In particular, sulfur, magnesium, as well as microfertilizers in the form of chelates are introduced into the nutrient mixture. Such a mineral "cocktail"

Benefits of foliar feeding

Nutrients in the form of chelate compounds are absorbed much better and faster. The solutions applied to the surface of the leaves, among other things, protect against moisture loss, which is important in regions prone to droughts. Foliar feeding of winter wheat in spring contributes to the intensification of the vegetation process, more productive formation of stems and leaves.

AT spring period it is recommended to carry out two top dressings: in early spring and in the stalking phase, when flowers and spikelets are formed. Such a scheme allows not only to increase the yield, but also to improve the quality of the grain, if the nutrient complex is chosen correctly and meets the needs.

In this case, the use of microfertilizers on winter wheat gives excellent results, which was confirmed experimentally. Tests, in particular, were carried out on winter wheat in the Verkhnekhavsky district of the Voronezh region on the basis of LLC MTS AgroService, where foliar top dressing with Glycerol gave, in comparison with the control sites, an increase in yield up to 6 c/ha in 2015 and 5 c/ha in 2016 .

Microfertilizer Glycerol is also successfully used for other cereals. And you can buy it at the manufacturer's price and get recommendations on the best ways to use it by contacting our specialists at the contacts listed on the site.

When we are talking As for winter wheat, spring top dressing is associated with high yields of this crop, because in the spring tillering phase it requires a high level of availability of mobile forms of nutrients in the soil.

Thus, winter wheat plants intensively consume nitrogen and phosphorus from the phase of spring tillering to the beginning of heading, that is, during the period of intensive growth of vegetative organs. Before the heading phase, winter wheat can absorb up to 78% nitrogen, 76% phosphorus and 95% potassium. Therefore, in the spring it is necessary to pay attention primarily to nitrogen nutrition, since with a lack of nitrogen, ear differentiation ends prematurely. As a result, it is formed short, with a small number of spikelets and a flat grain. That is why incorrectly selected doses of nitrogen fertilizers during this period lead to a significant decrease in yield, which cannot be compensated in subsequent phases of growth and development of the crop.

To obtain a positive result from feeding winter wheat in the spring tillering phase, two important factors should be taken into account: correctly set the dose of mineral fertilizer and select the appropriate form of nitrogen in it. Let's start with the first one. Taking into account the results of many recommendations on crop nutrition, 30-60 kg/ha of a.i. should be applied for winter wheat. nitrogen. It is well known that the dose of nitrogen fertilizers can be set:

firstly , on appearance crops - by indicative visual determination. For weak liquefied crops, a large dose should be applied, for well-developed crops, a smaller one. By the color of the leaf apparatus, it is possible to establish the conditional need of plants for nitrogen, however, the signs of a lack of this macronutrient may be similar to a similar manifestation in relation to other nutrients or due to the influence of other factors (weather, physical or physicochemical properties of the soil). Therefore, the introduction of nitrogen "by eye" does not always meet expectations and does not give grounds to talk about the maximum realization of the genetic potential of the variety;

Secondly , based on the results of plant diagnostics. For a quick approximate determination of the level of supply of winter wheat plants with nitrogen, you can use the express laboratory. To accurately determine this indicator, chemical analysis in laboratories. However, this kind of diagnostics does not give a real picture of the needs of plants in this nutrient element, since it does not take into account varietal differences, weather and soil conditions cultivation. More precisely, the need for nitrogen can be established using functional leaf diagnostics, such as Ecotest-Agro, Aquadonis, Agrovector PF-014;

Thirdly , based on soil analysis data. To determine the required dose of fertilizer application, it is necessary to determine the indicators of the nitrogen regime, depending on the selected methods of the calculated dose. So, during the spring resumption of the vegetation of winter wheat, it is advisable to determine the content of mineral nitrogen in the soil layer of 0-20 cm. It is this indicator that will indicate to the agronomist the state of providing plants with available nitrogen compounds at a particular moment. If the content of mineral nitrogen is high, then it is not advisable to carry out early spring top dressing, as it can provoke the formation of unproductive shoots. Wheat crops on soils with this characteristic, if necessary, are fed with nitrogen fertilizers during the period of the end of tillering - the beginning of the tube. To establish the level of provision of plants with this nutrient for the entire growing season, the content of easily hydrolyzed nitrogen is determined, which is the closest reserve for replenishing mineral compounds;

fourthly , according to the NDVI index, taking into account certain indicators of soil fertility. Based on satellite images or aerial photography results, a crop map is created. Having divided it into conditional zones, soil samples are taken. Based on the results of the work done, a fertilizer application map is created, which is used as an element of precision farming. This approach helps to optimize the cost of using nitrogen fertilizers and increase yields in areas with high potential up to 40%. Modern technologies for building a fertilizer system for all crops are gradually becoming an indispensable condition for effective farming in Ukraine.

Having set the dose of nitrogen fertilizer according to one of the developed methods, we proceed to the next stage - the choice of the form of nitrogen. This nutrient can be applied in the form of amides (NH2), ammonium (NH4 +) or nitrates (NO3-). Each connection has its conditional advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, when choosing the form of nitrogen, it is necessary to take into account the state of crops, soil properties, weather forecast and other factors, directly influence the conversion of these compounds and their availability for wheat plants. The market of mineral fertilizers offers a wide range of nitrogen-containing fertilizers, which may contain accompanying nutrients or substances that help reduce nitrogen losses and, accordingly, increase its utilization rate. This point should also be taken into account when choosing a fertilizer. What is on the market for spring top dressing of winter crops?

Let's start with the "classics". Ammonium nitrate (34% nitrogen) is a fertilizer containing two forms of nitrogen in its composition: ammonium and nitrate. These nitrogen forms are well absorbed by the root system of winter wheat plants, but the NO3- ion is still available. At the same time, the mobility of the nitrate ion causes it to be washed out in deeper layers. But ammonium nitrogen is fixed by the soil-absorbing complex, due to which it is not washed out. This form, as a result of microbiological transformations, under certain conditions, turns into nitrate. That is, if there is a need for a quick reaction of wheat plants in top dressing, then ammonium nitrate is an ideal option.

An alternative to ammonium nitrate can be considered lime-ammonia, containing in its composition up to 28% nitrogen and up to 22% calcium oxide. In addition to the aforementioned ammonium and nitrate, calcium will have a positive effect on the physicochemical properties of the soil and biochemical processes in plants. It is this nutrient that activates the passage of enzymatic reactions, affects carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism, and is necessary for the normal growth of above-ground organs and the root system of plants.

Given the tendency to increase the volume of physiologically acidic mineral fertilizers and decrease - organic, as well as calcareous materials, the additional application of calcium will contribute to a slight deoxidation of the root layers of the soil. It should be noted that wheat belongs to the group of crops with an optimal pH value ranging from 5 to 7.5 and responds well to liming. Therefore, it must be remembered that on soils with a pH<5 известково-аммиачная селитра не будет высокой эффективности. В таких условиях следует проводить известкование.

Urea, or urea (46% nitrogen), remains popular on the nitrogen fertilizer market. Its attractiveness lies primarily in the low cost of 1 kg of active ingredient. nitrogen. In urine, this element is present in the form of NH2. The amide form is best used for leaf nutrition. Amides in the soil, in order to become available to the plant, must undergo a series of microbiological transformations, the duration of which can vary from several days to several weeks. This period of transformation is directly determined by the temperature regime. Therefore, one should not expect a quick effect from the use of urea in early spring top dressing, especially in the Polesye and Northern Forest-Steppe zones.

One of the reasons for the low efficiency of urea when applied to root top dressing is the loss of nitrogen due to the high activity of urobacteria in the soil. These microorganisms secrete the enzyme urease, which leads to the rapid conversion of amide nitrogen to ammonium carbonate. The latter, in turn, interacts with water and air and easily decomposes. This is why urease inhibitors are used to increase the efficiency of urea utilization, in particular the Nutisphere-N polymer for urea treatment. The researchers found that these substances contributed to an increase in the utilization rate of nitrogen from fertilizer and, naturally, to an increase in crop yields. True, the treatment with inhibitors requires additional costs, but the increase in yield can compensate for them and ensure profit. You can also use UTEC-46 or so called yellow urea (fertilizer treated with UTEC inhibitor). It was found that the use of UTEC-46 in top dressing, compared with simple urea, improved the conditions for nitrogen nutrition of winter wheat plants and provided an increase in yield at the level of 5.4 c/ha.

For spring top dressing, it is advisable to use another popular nitrogen fertilizer - urea-ammonia mixture (UAN). There are three grades of UAN with nitrogen content of 28, 30 and 32%. It contains nitrogen in three forms: amide, ammonium and nitrate. Plants can use nitrates first, then ammonium, and finally amides after their transformations. That is why UAN is considered a long-acting fertilizer. In spring, winter wheat plants do not yet actively vegetate, so high doses of nitrogen can be applied - up to 50-60 kg/ha of a.i. There are certain restrictions on the use of this fertilizer in the early spring feeding of wheat. So, when using KAS-32, the air temperature should not be lower than 0 ° C, since its crystallization occurs at -2 ° C. In the period of negative temperatures, it is better to use CAS grades 30 and 28 with a crystallization temperature of -9 ° C and -17 ° C, respectively.

Today, the alternative to conventional UAN is UAN+S (23% nitrogen, 3.6% sulfur). Conducted research in the hospital of the Department of Agrochemistry and Quality of Plant Products named after. A.I. Dushechkina NUBiP of Ukraine showed that the increase in yield under the conditions of spring-summer top dressing of KAS-32, compared with ammonium nitrate, was insignificant (within 2.0-2.4 c/ha), which ensured additional profit at the level of 591 .7 UAH/ha. At the same time, there was an improvement in grain quality indicators: the protein content increased by 1.10%, and gluten - by 2.14%. The effective use of sulfur-containing nitrogen fertilizer (SAN + S) was also stated. Thus, the yield increase compared to the result of the use of ammonium nitrate amounted to 9.0 centners / ha, and compared to UAN-32 - 3.5 centners / ha, the net profit was higher, taking into account prices - 3468.3 UAH / ha .

Demonstration experiments at Biotech LTD, Kyiv region, also confirmed the high efficiency of using liquid nitrogen fertilizers.

In particular, when using KAS-32 in dressings, the grain yield with indicators of the 2nd quality class amounted to 70.1 c/ha. When applying the nitrogen-sulphur-containing fertilizer KAS + S, the yield increase was 4.4 c/ha, and the conditionally net profit compared to the results of using KAS-32 reached 2706.0 UAH/ha. The main benefit of UAN+S for top dressing is the addition of sulphur. Unfortunately, the last element is not given due attention in the nutrition of wheat. However, a decrease in the volumes of application of sulfur-containing and organic fertilizers led to a low sulfur content, especially on soils with a light granulometric composition. It is unacceptable to neglect this factor, because this macronutrient is also very important in the nutrition of winter wheat plants.

Sulfur plays an essential role in the growth and development of wheat, starting from the first phenological phases. Its metabolism in a plant cell is interconnected with nitrogen, since both elements are essential components of proteins. With a lack of one of them, protein synthesis is delayed. Therefore, the visual signs of a deficiency of these two elements are very similar. It is believed that about 15 units of nitrogen are lost per unit of sulfur deficiency in the soil.

The question of the need to introduce sulfur to feed winter crops is now in the process of active study. - many scientific institutions and leading firms conduct extensive research in this direction. LLC "Agrilab", for example, performs agrochemical studies of the soil cover using modern technical and laboratory tools. One of the services of this company is the diagnostics of nitrogen nutrition for the vegetation of crops. For winter and spring grains, the company offers the following range of determination of real agrochemical soil indicators: pH level, content of mineral nitrogen and mobile sulfur (S-SO4). This once again confirms the importance of providing wheat plants at the beginning of the resumption of spring vegetation not only with nitrogen, but also with sulfur.

Conclusion

To select the best nitrogen fertilizer for specific conditions, it is necessary to take into account not only the form of nitrogen, but also the content of accompanying elements. But the selection of the optimal dose of its application lies in the plane of a combination of visual, plant and soil diagnostics using the latest research methods. Focusing on nitrogen nutrition, one should not forget that for the maximum realization of the genetic potential of winter wheat varieties, it also requires the introduction of other macro- and microelements, because, as they say, no one has canceled the law of limiting factors.

I. Marchuk, cand. s.-x. Sci., Chief Agronomist, State Enterprise "Agrocenter EuroChem-Ukraine",

O. Tarasenko, cand. s.-x. Sci., Head of Laboratory NUBiP of Ukraine

Information for citation

Winter wheat: "no" to spring starvation! / I. Marchuk, O. Tarasenko // Proposition. - 2017. - No. 2. - S. 110-111

These grains need the right fertilizer according to the season. It should be borne in mind that the roots of winter crops have a peculiarity, they poorly absorb nutrients. What top dressing should be applied in spring, in the earing phase and in autumn, you will learn from the article.

Top dressing of winter crops according to the Buznitsky method

The Buznitsky method is a root top dressing of winter crops using disc seeders. This reduces the loss of nitrogen and other nutrients that occur with surface fertilization.

Top dressing of winter crops in spring on snow and frozen soil when the soil is frozen (by shard)

For top dressing on frozen soil, when the soil is frozen in the first half of the day, and in the second it begins to thaw a little, only two types of fertilizers are used - ammonium nitrate (from 50 to 150 kg / ha) and UAN. This allows grains to form shoots of spring tillering. Such dressings begin to be done in late February, early March.

Top dressing of winter crops with saltpeter

Fertilizing winter crops with ammonium nitrate is carried out in early spring. This allows you to improve the quality of the grain, increases the growth rate of seedlings. During top dressing, a smaller amount of fertilizer is used than during the main application.

Under winter wheat it is necessary to apply from 30 to 60 kg/ha of nitrogen. The need for top dressing, which supplements the main application of nitrogen, is determined by the appearance of the crops and the results of plant diagnostics.

Top dressing of winter crops with a pneumatic BARS service cost and a brief description

The service for the application of mineral fertilizers in all regions of Russia using the BARS pneumatic duct can be ordered from a private entrepreneur E. S. Kunitsyn.

The device of the pneumatic BARS allows you to apply fertilizers to the fields of winter crops at a time when other equipment cannot cope with this (in early spring). It is these fertilizer application times that are most suitable for the formation of a good harvest, and save money and time.

The cost of the service is from 245 to 275 rubles per 1 hectare, depending on the area of ​​the field. The fertilizer application rate is calculated as 100 kg/ha.

Top dressing of winter crops with urea

Urea is used to feed winter crops. They do this in early March, mid-April and at the heading stage. for foliar application during heading from 6 to 8%. The working solution should not burn the leaves.

Spraying of winter crops is carried out early in the morning or in the evening, as well as in cloudy weather (without rain). If the weather is dry, the concentration of the solution is slightly reduced.

In the cultivation of wheat, one of the most important stages is the timely application of fertilizers. Feeding wheat throughout the growing season stimulates plant growth and has a positive effect on yield. Agrotechnics of spring and winter species is somewhat different. Let's take a closer look at how to fertilize spring and winter wheat for maximum results.

Article plan

General information about growing wheat

The amount of wheat harvest directly depends on the amount of nutrients applied. It is believed that only on chernozems and virgin lands, grain crops do not require additional nutrition and you can do without the main fertilizer, using only seasonal top dressing. However, practice shows that nutritional deficiency is observed to some extent on any soil. Therefore, it is recommended to apply fertilizers for wheat in the plow, and then carry out root and foliar top dressing on all types of soils.

For spring and winter wheat, fertilizers are applied from autumn. For winter cereals, nutrients are laid already at the end of August and during the first ten days of September. Fertilizers are laid for spring types later, in the second half of October - the first half of November.

If fertilizers for spring wheat have not been applied since autumn, this event can be attributed to spring. This should be done with the onset of the first heat, in early spring, so that the nutrient compositions begin to give useful elements to the soil as quickly as possible.

On large areas, the spring layout of mineral additives on the snow is practiced. In the spring thaw, the tuki, together with moisture, goes into the upper layers of the soil. However, it should be borne in mind that the dose of nitrogen applied must be doubled with this method, since nitrogen is a volatile element, and a significant part of it will not enter the soil solution.

Note! Nitrogen is the most important element for wheat. The bushiness of the plant, the amount of grain in the ears and, as a result, the volume of the harvested crop will depend on its quantity.

The need for wheat in nutrients per hectare of crops

Key Nutrients

The main fertilizer for wheat should contain a full range of the main N-P-K elements - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Of these, the most important element is nitrogen, which is introduced both in autumn for winter wheat and spring-summer top dressing. Phosphorus is essential for improving soil structure, as well as for better absorption of nitrogen by cereals. Potassium is involved in metabolic processes at the intercellular level and is responsible for the formation of proteins and sugars.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is necessary for cereal crops throughout the growing season. However, an excess of this element has a detrimental effect on winter species, reducing their winter hardiness. Wheat can start to hurt and be damaged by pests.

• For winter wheat, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are applied in autumn at the rate of 30% of the total norm on chernozems and 50% on other types of soils. Further, nitrogen for winter species is introduced by spring and summer top dressing.
• Under spring wheat, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are laid in a similar way. There is no need to apply large doses of nitrogen to spring species from autumn due to the unstable state of this element.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is necessary for cereals at all stages of development. In winter wheat, phosphorus increases resistance to low temperatures. Significant doses of this element are absorbed during the period when the plant enters the tube. The accumulation of sugars, and hence the taste of grain, depends on the amount of phosphorus.

Phosphate fertilizers have a prolonged decomposition period. It is necessary to introduce them into the soil from autumn to a depth of no more than 20 cm. The optimum temperature for the assimilation of phosphorus by plants is 15 ° C. It is also necessary to monitor soil moisture. With a lack of moisture, phosphorus does not decompose and is not absorbed by cereal crops. Under wheat are applied.

Potassium

This element has a long decomposition period, so it, like phosphorus, is recommended to be applied in the fall. Potassium is needed at any stage of development - in the phase of germination, flowering, budding and heading. Potassium is especially necessary for winter wheat - to build roots and increase winter hardiness.

Also, this element will prevent lodging of cereals and improve the taste of grain. Potassium-containing fertilizers are applied to the depth of the arable layer. Potassium salt or potassium chloride is more commonly used because of its inexpensive cost. In small farms, you can use and.

Microfertilizers for wheat

Wheat also needs to be fed with microfertilizers. Practice shows that the amount and type of microfertilizers depends on the type of soil on which cereal plants are cultivated. So, on virgin lands and forest soils, the culture suffers from a lack of boron. On chernozems, wheat needs additional additions of manganese and zinc. Almost all types of soils require calcium and sulfur fertilizers.

Do not forget about the deoxidation of the soil before sowing. Usually chalk or dolomite flour is used for this. Limestones will improve the structure and composition of the soil, help build up beneficial microflora in the upper layers, and fill the soil with calcium.

Magnesium is involved in the process of photosynthesis and is responsible for the movement and absorption of phosphorus. Magnesium is fed to wheat in the form of root and foliar dressings. Also, for the normal development of cereal crops, sulfur is necessary. This element prevents lodging and stimulates metabolic processes between cells.

Organic fertilizer for wheat

More often, organic fertilizers are used under the predecessors of wheat. Manure is used directly for wheat only if the humus content in the soil does not exceed 2%. The norm of organic fertilizers in this case is 35 t/ha. To improve the structure of the soil on chernozems, 15 t - 20 t / ha is enough.

Manure is evenly spread over the entire area and then plowed. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers for wheat in autumn. In spring and summer, it is more convenient to use industrial agrochemicals.

Winter wheat - top dressing

If fertilizers were applied in full under wheat in the fall, then the next top dressing is carried out in early spring, then during the flowering period, the stalk exit to the tube and earing. It should be noted right away that all summer and spring feeding of wheat is carried out with nitrogen fertilizers.

The first feeding of winter wheat is being carried out. To do this, up to 45 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare is spread over the surface. For subsequent dressings can be applied.

How to feed wheat with ammonium nitrate

Spring wheat - top dressing

Under spring wheat, the full complex of fertilizers is plowed in autumn or early spring, although at the beginning of the growing season, the need for spring species in nutrients is minimal. A large amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium will be needed later - during flowering, the transition of the stem to the tube and in the heading phase.

Nevertheless, nitrogen fertilizers are placed immediately in the fall plowing, as well as during the spring sowing of spring species in rows. Ammonium nitrate is used as the main nitrogen fertilizer for wheat, and urea is used as an additional one.

Double superphosphate is used to replenish phosphorus, and potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium magnesia or potassium sulfate will fill the need for potassium. Ammophos fertilizer is well recommended for spring wheat. This agrochemical contains both the necessary phosphorus and nitrogen.

Universal top dressing with urea

Fertilizing wheat with carbamide (urea) is carried out:

1. in the bush formation phase;
2. in the flowering stage;
3. during the call period;
4. in the earing phase.

Urea is used for both spring and winter species. The agrochemical is scattered over the entire surface of the site, then abundant watering is carried out. But it is better to use a solution of carbamide for root or foliar feeding of wheat. The use of solutions is more effective in dry summer conditions, when cereals lack moisture. On large areas, foliar feeding of wheat is carried out by irrigation using special agricultural equipment.

Urea solution for watering and irrigation:

1. in early spring and during flowering - a solution of carbamide 20%;
2. in the phase of the exit of the stem to the tube - a solution of 10% - 12%;
3. in the heading phase - a solution of carbamide 8%.

Foliar feeding with carbamide is an effective remedy, recognized both in large agricultural complexes and in small household plots. Irrigation of wheat with urea:

• does not cause leaf necrosis;
• can be combined with insecticide treatment against pests;
• can be combined with ammonium nitrate.

The maximum result is observed when processing wheat in cloudy weather and in the presence of dew on the plants.

Wheat in summer cottages

Cereal crops are rare plants in the country. Usually gardeners plant vegetables in a small area. Growing a crop for grain is irrational and laborious. However, wheat can be used as green manure. If you need a certain area to "rest" from planting, you can sow wheat.

As a green manure, it is better to use winter wheat. Sowing seeds is carried out in the fall. However, spring species planted in spring will bring undoubted benefits. Under wheat in spring and autumn, rotted manure, compost or humus can be applied. Mineral additives are also used, as when growing for grain. Although careful feeding of wheat in this case is not necessary, because the quality of the grain does not matter.

Benefits of wheat as green manure:

• improves the structure and composition of the soil;
• prevents the drying of the soil solution;
• prevents the washing out of useful elements;
• enriches the soil with humus and nitrogen;
• suppresses the spread of weeds.

How to grow a good crop of wheat

predecessors

In order not to fertilize winter and spring wheat, choose the right site. Good predecessors will be:

• leguminous plants,
• potato,
• rape,
• corn,
• annual herbs.

Wheat sowing

In the fields, cereals are planted in rows. At their summer cottage, you can use a similar method and plant wheat in rows. The average seeding depth is 4 cm - 5 cm. But in arid areas or when planting winter species late, the seeding depth should be increased to 8 cm - 10 cm. When planted late in spring, seeds are planted 3 cm deep. The optimal distance between rows (rows) is 15 cm. For more uniform germination, the rows are rolled.

There is an alternative way to sow winter wheat for green manure purposes. The soil is plowed with a plow or a plow cutter is used, leveled, the seeds are evenly scattered. Then the site is watered and covered with straw. This method is simpler, but it should be borne in mind that straw takes more time to decompose than green wheat germ.

Fertilizers for green manure - to use or not?

For the purpose of green manure, it is not necessary to apply fertilizers for wheat. For winter species, superphosphate and potassium salt can be used so that the plants have time to take root before the temperature drops. But if organic matter was introduced into the area for digging, it is not necessary to use agrochemicals.

Incorporation of "green fertilizers"

Winter wheat should have time to sprout, grow up to 20 cm - 25 cm and go under the snow with a green mass. Many gardeners mow green manure before the first frost. This procedure is optional, the "green manures" under the snow will overheat and give useful substances to the soil and in an unmowed form.

Spring wheat must either be mowed or buried in the ground before the stem tube formation phase begins, and preferably before flowering. The stem tube subsequently becomes straw, which is difficult to mow and takes a long time to decompose.

It should be recognized that wheat is not a popular green manure among amateur farmers. Wheat is believed to take a lot of nutrients out of the soil, and its clumpy roots complicate the process of seedbed preparation.

There is a certain amount of truth in this. Indeed, if the wheat is allowed to outgrow, then its lumpy rhizome will complicate the procedure for digging and plowing under the plow. However, as a green manure, wheat is incorporated into the soil at the stage of green seedlings, when the roots are not yet strongly developed.

As for the removal of nutrients, here it turns out that wheat takes out significant doses of nutrition in the phase of flowering, reaching the tube and earing. And embedding should occur before flowering.

Summing up, we can say that the problems in growing wheat as green manure were those farmers who untimely carried out the incorporation of green mass into the soil.

In order to make it easier for them to “spring start”, it is necessary to take care of the appropriate provision of plants with nutrients in the fall, because the future harvest of winter crops is laid during this period (to carry out top dressing).

In Poland, foliar feeding in autumn is becoming more common and popular, especially in rapeseed. More and more farmers are convinced of the positive effect of the use of foliar fertilizers containing boron, phosphorus and potassium. One can observe how from year to year there is a growing interest in the autumn fertilizer of cereals for feeding winter crops.

Autumn feeding of grain crops. Fertilizers for winter crops

Winter crops lay their future harvest in the autumn. Winter cereals should be grown in such a way that they enter the winter already partially formed - this has a decisive influence on the future harvest. The sooner a plant forms a stem, the more likely it is to form a strong flag leaf and a good spike.

Feeding winter crops in autumn. Phosphorus and potassium, as well as manganese and molybdenum, are essential for cereals during this period. Phosphorus affects the growth rate of the root system, due to which the plants are better supplied with water and nutrients from the soil. In spring, plants start growing faster and grow better. Phosphorus (top dressing) also affects the formation of the ear, which leads to an increase in grain yield. Potassium affects the water metabolism of plants, overwintering, and together with phosphorus regulates the metabolism of sugars and proteins. Potassium together with phosphorus, sulfur and magnesium significantly affect the efficiency of nitrogen uptake by plants. Manganese (top dressing) plays a huge role in increasing resistance against fungal diseases, especially in warm autumn conditions, and also stimulates the growth of the root system. This trace element is also involved in the processes of photosynthesis and the construction of biomass. Molybdenum (top dressing) is involved in the synthesis of compounds responsible for increasing plant resistance to low temperatures.

Autumn feeding of rapeseed

When growing winter rapeseed, a very important element that affects wintering is the appropriate sowing time - it must be early enough (in Poland - 2-3rd decade of August, depending on the region) to create conditions for the plant for a continuous 9-10 week vegetation. Thanks to this approach, rapeseed can be “sent” during the winter rest period with an optimal number of leaves (8-10), a thick root collar and, accordingly, a developed root system (it can reach 40-50 cm deep into the soil profile). It should be noted that already in this period (starting from the phase of 5-6 pairs of leaflets) rape develops the rudiments of lateral shoots and (from the phase of 8 pairs of leaflets) inflorescences begin to form, that is, the foundation of the future crop is laid already in autumn, which requires feeding.

During the autumn rapeseed growing season, excessive application of nitrogen should be avoided when fertilizing, which, in combination with excessively dense sowing, causes the top bud to rise high enough above the soil surface. This leads to its freezing during the winter rest. In addition, excessive application of nitrogen causes an increase in the water content of the rapeseed plant, resulting in a decrease in cold hardiness and disease resistance.

In order for rapeseed to achieve proper growth in the autumn, it is necessary to provide it with phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, and from microelements - primarily boron (top dressing). These few rules should be kept in mind, as rapeseed will not have the time or opportunity in the spring to catch up and achieve the same yield as plants that were well nourished in the fall. Phosphorus significantly influences the correct development of the rapeseed root system (well-developed and, accordingly, long roots ensure better overwintering and the availability of water and nutrients).

Potassium plays a key role in the formation of the rosette of rapeseed and its overwintering (“thickens” the cell sap, thereby increasing the frost resistance of plants). In addition, it affects the water metabolism of the plant, which is especially important during periods of drought, and improves nitrogen nutrition. Boron is another important nutrient for rapeseed. Autumn feeding of rapeseed with this microelement affects the correct formation of the root neck and wintering.

D. Vechorek, cand. Agricultural Sciences, "Ekoplon", Poland