Wheat growth directly depends on the amount of nutrients and microelements entering it. With their deficiency, the plant lags behind in growth, the leaf mass and the number of grains are sharply reduced. The following are detailed instructions and tips on how to properly feed winter wheat.
Required tools and materials
Liquid mineral nutrition is introduced using PZhU, OP-2000, for powdery and granular mixtures, a fertilizer seeder RTT-4.2A, NRU-0.5, 1-RMG-4 is used, for transportation and application of mineral fertilizing, a semitrailer RUM-8.
The spreading of solid organic matter is carried out by ROU-5, PRT-10, RUN-15B. When applying organic fertilizing to the furrows, MLG-1 is used. Liquid organic matter is introduced using RZhT-8, RZhU-3.6.
Hitching devices are mounted on the tractor, and tanks on the GAZ-53. Liquid fertilizers are sometimes sprayed with light aircraft.
The optimal timing for feeding winter wheat
In the autumn preparation of areas for sowing wheat, it is important not only to properly conduct agrotechnical measures, but also to apply the pre-sowing rate of potash and phosphorus fertilizers. This will increase the plant's immunity, and will make it possible to safely endure the frosty winter. If this condition is met, in the spring there are 3 more activities to feed the culture:
- In early spring to support young shoots and boost growth.
- During the flowering period.
- In the period of booting and laying the yield.
The timing of application must necessarily be adjusted taking into account the condition of the soil, crop development and weather conditions.
What substances are needed for winter wheat?
Winter wheat needs a whole range of nutrients and trace elements, each of which performs its own functions. Particularly important is their replenishment during the annual sowing of the same areas, without using the crop rotation rule. After harvesting, the soil is so depleted that it is simply impossible to sow new seeds without fertilizer.
Both mineral fertilizers and organic fertilizers can replenish the nutritional balance.
Fertilizer type | Origin | Access for plants | Validity | Expenses |
mineral | chemical | instantaneous | short | high |
organic | animal-vegetable | it takes time to decompose into elements | long | low |
It is important to take into account that organic matter and mineral fertilizing can be combined, taking into account the total rate of incoming elements. As in the case with other crops, the golden rule of the agronomist works with winter wheat: “a small fertilizer deficit is better than a nutrient surplus”.
What fertilizers to choose for wheat?
For the effect of top dressing for winter wheat, it is important to maintain balance. Otherwise, the prevailing elements will interfere, and the plant will not be able to receive and assimilate the rest of the substances.
Nitrogen supplements
Nitrogen-based fertilizers are introduced in several stages:
- During cultivation work before sowing, the soil is fertilized with ammonium nitrate at the rate of 30 kg per 1 ha.
- In the tillering phase, nitrogen is especially needed. The height and density of wheat bushes, as well as their fertility, depend on it. This top dressing has no effect on the quality of grain. Nitrogen fertilizers are distributed at a rate of 35-40 kg / ha. This is approximately 30% of the nitrogen applied per season.
- During the bumping period, nitrogen positively affects the quality and quantity of grain in the ear, i.e., it increases the crop yield. The demand of wheat for nitrogen fertilizers is now increased, therefore, up to 50% of the calculated seasonal norm is applied. This amounts to 65-75 kg of top dressing per hectare.
- The remainder of the full design rate is distributed over the area under crops during the flowering and earing period of the crop. Top dressing will bring the greatest effect provided there is a sufficient amount of moisture in the soil.
Be careful when working with ammonium nitrate - it is explosive!
Nitrogen fertilizers in the soil break down into carbon dioxide and ammonia. Therefore, they should be applied only by the root method, providing additional soil moisture. Keep in mind that nitrogen is washed out with an excess of moisture. When spraying, top dressing will not only be of no benefit, but can also be harmful.
Getting on the green parts of the plant, when moisture evaporates, nitrogen crystals cause a burn.
The most optimal for winter wheat is nitrogen fertilization urea-carbamide. It is a good alternative to ammonium nitrate. It contains 46% nitrogen. Fertilizing is recommended 5-7 days before sowing. This is due to the fact that after getting into the ground it will be converted into a form accessible to the plant within 2-3 days.
In the video presented, the technologist talks about his experience with the use of nitrogen fertilizers on winter wheat:
30-60 kg / ha of urea contribute to an increase in the density of the wheat bush and increased growth, and when the dose is increased to 100 kg / ha, the amount of protein in the grain increases.
Phosphorus nutrition
Phosphorus plays an important role in the growing season of wheat. It is essential at all stages of growth. The synthesis of nucleic acids and the ability of the culture to assimilate nitrogen depend on this element. Phosphorus has a beneficial effect on the development of microflora in the soil.
From the beginning of the booting phase to flowering, the plant has a particular need for phosphorus. The quality of the assimilation of the element by wheat is affected by the temperature of the soil and its moisture content.
Superphosphates are used for feeding. Due to the presence of phosphorus oxide, this dressing has several positive effects:
- the fruiting period occurs earlier;
- protects the culture from early aging;
- improves grain quality;
- facilitates the process of assimilating other elements.
Ammophos is used to increase wheat yield, enhance immunity against diseases and pests, and increase the shelf life of the crop.
Potassium nutrition
Potassium influences the quantitative composition of sugar and protein in wheat grain, increasing the nutritional value of the grain. Its deficiency provokes lodging of wheat, reduces the ability to endure the winter period. The potassium plant is especially in need from the moment of germination to flowering and in the bumping phase until the start of heading.
Potash fertilizers are distributed over the soil surface during cultivation work to prepare the area for sowing. This is because the element takes time to absorb. As a source of potassium, potassium chloride and potassium salt are used. The feeding rate is 50-60 kg / ha.
Calcium nutrition
It is of great importance on acidified soils. Calcium reduces their acidity, which favorably affects wheat. Lime fertilizers help the crop accumulate carbohydrates, improve the quality of photosynthesis, and promote immunity to diseases and adverse conditions.
They use calcium carbonate, chalk, limestone, calcium nitrate (22%). The application rate is 3-5 c / ha during autumn soil preparation.
Magnesium nutrition
Magnesium normalizes protein-carbohydrate metabolism, helps to saturate plant cells with oxygen, which affects the general condition of winter wheat. The absorption of magnesium supplements is especially effective when applied by the foliar method. The element is more easily absorbed than potassium and phosphorus, while helping to move the latter.
Magnesium sulfate (Mg - 16%) is used for top dressing with a spread rate of 15 kg / ha.
Sulfur nutrition
Sulfur optimizes protein metabolism. With a lack of this component in the soil, the culture lags behind in development, its growth slows down, the plant gets sick and lays down. Effective assimilation of nitrogen without the presence of sulfur is almost impossible. In terms of importance for wheat, it ranks first after the main components.
Sulfur application is used simultaneously with nitrogen nutrition in the preparation of areas for sowing. For example, magnesium sulfate (S - 13%), superphosphate (S - 24%), etc. are used. The application rate depends on the type of soil.
Organic fertilizer
Almost all types of organics take time to break down and release components. When growing winter wheat in a fixed location, there is no such valuable location time. This is due to the fact that for an optimal effect, organic matter is distributed into the soil in the fall, in order to actively replenish it with valuable microelements in the spring.
Such nutrition is brought to the land of future crops in advance when planning the development of new fields. When plowing new territories under wheat, the introduction of organic matter will be the best condition for improving the quality of the soil. In this case, chicken manure, humus, manure are used.
Distribute food at the rate of 25-30 t / ha. To reduce soil acidification and prevent pest attacks during plowing, wood ash is applied at a rate of 3-5 centners per 1 ha. The effect of ash on the soil lasts up to 2 years.
Working with organics requires additional effort and time, so it is rarely used on a production scale. On small plantations and garden plots used for growing winter wheat, methods of using organic matter as top dressing take place.
Trace elements for winter wheat
For winter wheat, in addition to nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, the presence of the following elements is important:
- Sulfur - pays attention to the quantitative composition of gluten.
- Manganese - participates in the metabolism, helps to assimilate water, reduces the level of soil acidity.
- Iron - with a lack of this element, wheat leaves turn yellow. This is due to a poor-quality photosynthesis process in which iron is needed.
- Copper - takes part in the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates.
- Zinc - the quality and quantity of grain in the ear depends on the presence of a sufficient amount of this metal in the soil.
- Calcium - reduces the acidity of the soil, promotes the development of strong roots, increases resistance to disease.
- Magnesium - affects the metabolic processes and respiration of plants.
The necessary microelements can be added by foliar dressing, or by soaking the seeds before sowing in solutions with the addition of specific components.
The optimal solution is to purchase microelements not separately, but in a complex, for example, the drug "Agromax". It can be added to the main dressings, or combined with fungicidal treatments. They are not inferior in their characteristics to NIKFAN-Wheat, TM ORMISS fertilizers, etc.
Battery ratio
The soil does not contain the full range of nutrients available for assimilation by winter wheat. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the replenishment of components by introducing mineral and organic complexes. At the same time, it is important to monitor the condition of plants and the qualitative composition of fertile land, so as not to get an overabundance of substances and trace elements.
The optimal balance between nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is a ratio of 1.5: 1: 1 per hectare of land.
The seeding of the autumn nutrient complex of fertilizers takes place together with plowing and cultivation of the land. Thus, top dressing is at a depth of 15 to 25 cm. Gradually splitting with moisture, the elements spread over the top layer of the soil.
By spring, when wheat grains start to hatch, fertilizers will already take a form that is readily available for sprouts and activate their growth. Therefore, autumn work on the application of fertilizing is called the main.
Fertilization technology
Fertilizer application technology is subject to certain rules, compliance with which is necessary when carrying out these types of work:
- granules should have a diameter of up to 5 mm;
- the humidity of feeding before application should be in the range from 1.5 to 15%;
- equipment should ensure uniform distribution of mixtures, avoiding untreated areas.
Top dressing can be applied in dry form, providing after their distribution abundant watering, or in diluted form. Since most of the fertilizer is applied in the fall, before or during plowing of the soil, nutrition is distributed in dry form. Foliar application involves diluting the components with water and spraying them over the greens by spraying.
Harvest of winter wheat directly depends on the quality and quantity of supplementary nutrition. Therefore, you should not skimp on organizing and holding such events. Harvesting grain will delight in quality and recoup all costs.