Winter wheat is one of the most valuable cereals in the world. However, today farmers do not always get stable yields, and a significant proportion of grain does not meet food conditions. There has been a decrease in the protein content of grain recently, as well as the deterioration of other technological indicators.
Fertilizer system organization plays significant role when it comes to obtaining high yields of quality grain of wheat, barley and other cereals. Analysis of grain yields in Ukraine shows that they have significant potential to increase and improve grain quality. However, nowadays mineral nutrition with only the main macronutrients N:P:K is not enough for this. It is necessary to provide the plant with micro elements. Foliar fertilization of crops can be an effective agronomic measure in providing plants with micronutrients during the growing season. They are especially effective in arid conditions of the steppe zone since they increase availability of nutrients and stimulate their assimilation by plants from the soil.
According to the UN Food Commission (FAO), the share of fertilizers in crop formation is 30-50%, and in crop growth – 50-70%. In Ukraine, this figure ranges from 30 to 40% and depends on climatic conditions and soil fertility, level of agricultural technology, standards and types of fertilizers and other factors. Fertilizers promote mobilization of nutrients in the soil, restoration of soil fertility, activate physiological and biochemical processes in plants, thus affecting grain yield and quality. The results of numerous studies and agricultural practice have shown that there are the main “critical” stages during wheat growing season, then the need in nutrients is the greatest; these are tillering, tube exit, grain formation. Providing plants with nutrients in these phases contributes to the formation of optimal stems, resistance to extreme conditions and formation of a sufficient level of yield of high-quality grain.
Successful hardening and entry of plants into winter with a minimum amount of moisture and maximum amount of sugars in plant tissues is a necessary prerequisite for successful plants’ overwintering. This problem is partially solved by use of an effective pre-sowing fertilizer. Stimulators of winter wheat growth and pesticides play an equally important role in seed treatment. In particular, for pre-sowing seed treatment, Wonder offers Wonder Leaf Wonder Micro. This product, in addition to a complete set of trace elements, also contains amino acids, humic acids, fulvic acids, phytohormones and polysaccharides. Therefore, Wonder Leaf Wonder Micro effectively stimulates metabolic processes in the plant body, which increases quantitative and qualitative productivity of plants. Eligible to be used in combination with a disinfectant. Applications rate of the product is 1-1.5 l per mt of seeds.
Another part of the task is to properly use microfertilizers for winter wheat, in other words – to conduct proper autumn fertilization of winter wheat in the phase of 3-5 leaves (BBCH 13-15). Intensification of the process of photosynthesis is crucial for accumulation of the necessary amount of sugars for overwintering. Therefore, the tank mixture for the first foliar feeding of winter wheat crops should include:
- Magnesium sulfate Wonder Leaf MgS 16-32 – 5-10 kg / ha or Wonder Leaf MgS 25-50 – 3-4 kg/ha;
- Wonder Leaf Mono Mn 11 – 1 l/ha;
- Wonder Leaf Mono Cu 6 – 1 l/ha;
- Wonder Leaf Mono Zn 8 – 1 l/ha.
Once these products have been used, more primary sugars are formed, concentration of glucose in cell sap increases and the equilibrium amount of water in the plant decreases. This feature is mandatory for successful hardening of plants, which usually occurs in 2 stages at a temperature of 10-12 ° C and 0-5 ° C.
The subsequent treatment is carried out during the early spring vegetation restoration. The purpose of such treatment is to provide crops with the necessary nutrients (soil warms up slower at the same time availability of nutrients in the soil reduces), stimulate photosynthetic activities, strengthen the process of generative organs laying. We recommend the following tank mix:
- Urea – 7-10 kg/ha;
- Magnesium sulfate Wonder Leaf MgS 16-32 – 5-10 kg/ha or Wonder Leaf MgS 25-50 – 3-4 kg/ha;
- Complex water-soluble fertilizer Wonder Leaf Blue – 2-3 kg/ha;
- Wonder Leaf Mono Cu 6 – 1l/ha.
One of the most critical periods of cereals ontogenesis is the tube exit phase. Laying of flowers in the spikelets and the rapid growth of the spikelet start in this period. Foliar feeding performed during this period significantly improves these processes, as well as prevents the death of already formed productive stems and improves resistance to adverse environmental factors. Application should be carried out at the stage of tube exit, and the tank mixture should include:
- Urea – 7-10 kg / ha;
- Magnesium sulfate Wonder Leaf MgS 16-32 – 5-10 kg/ha or Wonder Leaf MgS 25-50 – 3-4 kg/ha;
- Complex water-soluble fertilizer Wonder Leaf Yellow – 2-3 kg/ha;
- Wonder Leaf Mono Mn 11 – 1 l/ha.
The next step of foliar feeding should take place once a flag leaf has appeared. An intensive growth and development of the ear takes place during this period, hence crops fertilizing a will contribute to the full formation of grain. This feeding is especially important in conditions of insufficient moisture. Recommended tank mix:
- Urea – 7-10 kg/ha;
- Magnesium sulfate Wonder Leaf MgS 16-32 – 5-10 kg / ha or Wonder Leaf MgS 25-50 – 3-4 kg/ha;
- Wonder Leaf Wonder Macro – 2-3 l/ha.
The last feeding is carried out during the period of grain filling. This fertilization aims to enhance the photosynthetic activity of plants and increase the weight of 1000 of seeds, so it is often called “quality feeding”. Recommended tank mix:
- Urea – 3 kg/ha;
- Magnesium sulfate Wonder Leaf MgS 16-32 – 5-10 kg/ha or Wonder Leaf MgS 25-50 – 3-4 kg/ha;
- Complex water-soluble fertilizer Wonder Leaf Red – 2-3 kg/ha
