The start of stem elongation is an important period that affects the productivity of cereal crops, because ear formation begins at this time. This year moisture supply to plants after the resumption of vegetation is sufficient almost throughout Ukraine. However, a considerable heat deficit leads to insufficient uptake of individual mineral nutrients, which causes a certain delay in plant growth and development.
In this regard, in the 2022 season at the start of stem elongation there will be a deficiency of microelements: manganese, which regulates the plants' uptake of nitrogen forms, zinc for the plants' production of phytohormones, and on soils of organic origin and light texture copper, which improves nitrogen uptake and influences ear formation.
Soil temperature in most regions of Ukraine has not yet reached the level sufficient for effective plant uptake of phosphorus (+14–15°C). This may become a limiting factor in forming yield components in the early phases of cereal development. To prevent this we recommend foliar feeding with ECOLINE Phosphite (K) at 1.0–2.0 l/ha, which is effective for overcoming phosphorus deficiency (phosphorus in the form of phosphite is absorbed at +5–8°C) and for raising crop resistance to fungal pathogens of the oomycete class.
Depending on soil type, we recommend feeding with the following fertilizer combinations:
- On carbonate soils: GROS Phosphito-NP or ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.0 l/ha + ECOLINE Manganese (Chelate) 1.0 l/ha
- On chernozems with a neutral and slightly acidic reaction: ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.5 l/ha + GROS Amino-Zn 0.5–1.0 l/ha
- On soils of light texture (sandy, sandy loam): GROS Phosphito-NP or ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.0 l/ha + ECOLINE Copper (Chelate) 1.0 l/ha
- On crops with well-developed plants - ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) or ECOLINE Cereal (Chelates) 1.5 l/ha and ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.0 l/ha
