The start of stem elongation is one of the most important periods that affect the productivity of winter 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, as shown by the state of crops and the coefficient of productive tillering. However, a considerable heat deficit leads to insufficient uptake of certain mineral nutrients, which in turn causes some delay in plant growth and development.
In this regard, in the 2021 season at the tillering stage and the start of stem elongation, besides nitrogen and phosphorus there will be a deficiency of microelements: manganese, which regulates plant uptake of nitrogen forms, zinc for the plants' production of phytohormones, and on soils of organic origin (drained peat) and light texture copper, which improves nitrogen uptake by cereals 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 1–2 l/ha. This is an effective measure for overcoming signs of phosphorus deficiency (since phosphorus in the form of phosphite is absorbed already at +5 to +8OC) and for raising crop resistance to fungal pathogens of the oomycete class (snow mold, powdery mildew, rust, etc.). According to current forecasts, the weather may remain unfavorable for another two weeks, so feeding with ECOLINE Phosphite (K) will have a substantial effect both on the overall state of the crops and, accordingly, on the expected yield level.
Besides ECOLINE Phosphite (K), depending on the type of soil where winter crops are grown, we recommend foliar feeding with the following fertilizer combinations:
- On carbonate soils: GROS Phosphito NP – 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 1.0 l/ha + ECOLINE Copper (Chelate) – 1.0 l/ha.
On crops with sufficiently developed plants we recommend feeding winter crops with ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) 1.5 l/ha and ECOLINE Phosphite (K) 1.0 l/ha. After all, ECOLINE Magnesium (Chelates) is a microelement complex that raises photosynthesis intensity, and ECOLINE Phosphite (K), when applied together with fungicides, considerably strengthens their effectiveness.
