FERTILISER REQUIREMENTS OF WINTER CEREALS

Soil pH and Liming Winter cereals are sensitive to soil pH. Maintain a soil pH 6.5 for cereal crops grown in rotation. Apply lime as recommended on the soil test report, where greater than 7.5t/ha is required, apply 50% now and apply the remaining 50% in 2 years time. Over liming can cause problems in the form of induced micronutrient deficiencies e.g. manganese in oats, barley and beet crops. Nitrogen The nitrogen (N) requirement of the crop is met partly by N already in the soil organic matter and the remainder has to be supplied by fertiliser. The biggest difficulty is to accurately estimate the level of N mineralised from the organic matter. Previous cropping and manuring history have a major influence on the level of available N in the soil. A relatively high level of N is mineralised and available to a crop following a permanent pasture. Conversely, the need for fertiliser N is high in a continuous cereal rotation. Table 1 below shows the recommendations for fertiliser N in medium textured soils. A soil N index is used to relate previous cropping and management to the recommended rates as follows: Table 1:- Determining Nitrogen Index for Tillage Crops

Continuous Tillage Crops that follow short leys (1 4 years) or tillage crops Nitrogen Index Index 1 Cereals Maize Index 2 Sugar beet, fodder beet, Potatoes, Mangels, Kale, Oilseed Rape, Peas, Beans, Leys (1-4 yrs) grazed or cut and grazed Swedes removed Vegetable crops receiving more than 200kg/ha nitrogen Index 3 Swedes grazed in situ Index 4

Tillage crops that follow permanent pasture Index 1 Any crop sown as the 5th or subsequent tillage crop following permanent pasture Index 2 Any crop sown as the 3rd or 4th tillage crop following permanent pasture. If original permanent pasture was cut only, use index 1 Index 3 Any crop sown as the 1st or 2nd tillage crop following permanent pasture (see also index 4). If original permanent pasture was cut only, use index 2 Index 4 Any crop sown as the 1st or 2nd tillage crop following very good permanent pasture which was grazed only

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Table 2:- Nitrogen recommendations for winter cereal crops (kg/ha)* Soil N Index 1 2 3 4 Winter Wheat 210 180 120 80 Winter Barley 160 135 100 60 Winter oats 145 120 85 45

*Additional total N applications based on crop yield

Where proof of higher grain yields is available, an additional 20kgN/ha may be applied for each one tonne above the following yields:Winter wheat 9t/ha Winter barley - 8.5t/ha Winter oats 7.5t/ha Higher grain yields shall be based on the best yield achieved in any of the 3 previous harvests, at 20% moisture content. The type of cereal crop grown as well as the variety and whether or not plant growth regulators are applied will influence the total rate of N applied. Additional N is recommended for milling wheat varieties. Apply additional N (30 50kgN/ha) at flag leaf emergence (GS 39) in the form of CAN fertiliser or an application of liquid N in the form of urea at the milky ripe stage (GS 71 75). This will increase the protein level by 0.5 1.0%. Timing of N Applications The timing of N applications will depend on the total N rate and the crops stage of growth. All N should be applied in the springtime. Table 3 gives details on the timings and splitting of N applications for winter cereals depending on time of year or plant growth stage. Table 3:-Timing and splitting of N for winter cereals (kg/ha) Rate (kg/ha) Crop Growth Stage (GS) >75 75 150 150 + End Feb Early March GS 25 - End March Mid April GS 30 / 31 All Late April GS 37 / 39 --

First spilt of N is applied to encourage tiller development and survival. Winter wheat grown where there is a take all risk should receive early nitrogen to encourage rooting and reduce the severity of take all infection. Early spring N is also important for winter barley to ensure early tiller development / survival as it is a key component to achieving high yields. Main split of N is applied to winter cereals when the crop is growing rapidly and the crop has a high N demand, total N will have a large influence on final grain yield potential. Where less than 75kg/ha is being applied and the crop has a good plant population, one application at the end of March / early April is adequate. Where more that 150kg/ha is being applied, three splits are recommended as in table 3.

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A small, early split top dressing of no more than 40kg/ha, applied between mid-February and mid March is appropriate for the following situations, however the amount should not exceed the rates in table 2. o Crops on sandy soils or shallow soils overlying rocks o Crops with low plant populations, in adverse soil conditions, and/or with retarded tiller development. o Direct drilled crops The application of N at specific growth stages is the subject of much research, and it is beneficial to apply N at certain stages when weather and soil conditions allow it. The first application is best timed at mid tillering (main stem plus 2-5 tillers GS 25). This is the stage at which tiller formation occurs, so application is important for crops with poor plant populations. The main application should be applied by the time the terminal spikelet is formed this is approximately the 1st node stage (GS 31). The embryo ear is almost completely formed, and the rapid growth phase of the ear and stem commences. Winter wheat can receive a 3rd N split to satisfy crop N requirements for yield or to help improve grain protein levels in milling wheat varieties. Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) To determine how much P and K to apply you first must test the soil and find out the soil P and K index. This will allow you to calculate the amounts of P and K required. The most reliable way to do this is through a soil test once every 3 to 5 years. There are four soil indexes with Index 1 soils deficit in P & K and Index 4 soils very fertile. The P and K indices can be interpreted as follows:Index 1 (very low) The soil is deficit. There will be a definite response to applied P and K. Index 2 (low) Extra P and K required, over and above the quantity the crop is likely to remove. Index 3 (medium) This is the optimum soil P and K index. A maintenance dressing of P and K is required to replace the nutrients removed by the crop. Index 4 (sufficient) No additional P and K is required to grow a satisfactory crop. Once you know the soil index simply refer to the following tables below to determine the amount of P and K required. Table 4:-Soil P index, soil P test reading and phosphorus requirements for winter cereal crops Soil P Index 1 2 3 4 Soil P Test Result (mg/l) 0 3.0 3.1 6.0 6.1 10.0 > 10.1 Rate (kg/ha) 45 35 25 0

Phosphorus rates in table 4 are based on a crop yield of 6.5t/ha. Where there is proof of higher grain yields achieved in any of the 3 previous harvests, at 20% moisture content an additional 3.8kgP/ha can be applied for each additional tonne above 6.5t/ha.

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Table 5:- Soil K index and nutrient advice for winter cereals where straw is removed (kg/ha) Soil K Index 1 2 3 4
1 2

Soil K Test Result (mg/l) 0 50 51 100 101 150 > 150

Winter Wheat1,2 130 115 100 0

Winter Barley1,2 130 115 100 0

Winter Oats1,3 160 145 130 0

K rates based on: - Winter wheat 10t/ha, Winter barley 8.5t/ha, Winter oats 9.0t/ha. For wheat & barley crops; increase or decrease K rate by 10kg/ha per tonne increase or decrease in grain yield. 3 For oats crops: increase or decrease K rate by 15kg/ha per tonne increase or decrease in grain yield.

Table 5 shows the soil K index and K advice for a range of winter crops. Potassium advice will differ depending on the crop type, crop yield potential and soil type. Timing of P and K applications The timing of P and K will depend on the soils fertility status. Index 1 soils (very low), the P and K should be combine drilled / board cast before sowing and incorporated at sowing time. This is beneficial as sufficient P and K is required in the seedbed in the early stages of development (rooting & tillering) in cereal crops. On index 2 (low) and 3 (medium) soils P and K can be applied at sowing or as a fertiliser compound (N, P, K) with the 1st N split in early springtime. On K fixing soils (soils that dont release soil K and fix applied K) it is recommended to apply K close to when the crop requires it. Apply K in the springtime along with the N applications. It can be very difficult to build up soil K levels on these soils therefore apply maintenance levels to meet annual crop requirements. P and K off takes in cereal crops Table 6 below shows off takes of P and K in cereal crops. Theses values are off takes per tonne of grain yield but include the nutrient value of straw where applicable. P and K applications should take account of crop yields and nutrient removed in straw. Table 6:-P and K off takes in cereal crops (kg/ha) per tonne of grain yield Crop type Winter Wheat / Barley Spring Wheat / Barley Oats Straw removed P K 3.8 9.8 3.8 11.4 3.8 14.4 Straw not removed P K 3.4 4.7 3.4 4.7 3.4 4.7

Magnesium (Mg) Application of Mg is only advisable for cereals if soil is less than 40mg/l. On such soils, use magnesium limestone when liming is necessary. If a crop deficiency appears, spray with an Mg chelate or there recommended inorganic formulation. Sulphur (S) Sulphur deficiency is most likely on light sandy, free draining soils. Apply S as part of an N fertiliser type and apply 15kgS/ha to prevent the occurrence of S deficiency in cereals.

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Trace Elements To maximise the return from of expensive fertiliser (N, P, K & S) it is essential to assess the risk of a crop trace element deficiency. Trace elements are required in small amounts but never the less essential to maximise crop yield and quality. Identify the risk of a trace element deficiency using soil analysis (Teagasc, Johnstown Castle S4 test), experience, field history, and knowledge of soil properties such as pH, soil type and organic content. Copper Copper has a major function in grain / ear fertility and deficiency symptoms can go unnoticed and result in a yield reduction. Copper deficiency symptoms can go unnoticed; symptoms associated with a server deficiency are leaf twisting and white leaf tipping and tend to appear in the youngest leaf. Copper deficiency may be due to low soil availability or low total soil copper and is problematic on light, acidic soils, low soil organic matter, granite parent materials and dry soil conditions. Cereal crops grown on soils with <3 mg/l will require a foliar copper application. Manganese Manganese is the most widespread trace element deficiency in Ireland and is due to a number of factors from deficient soils to low availability aggravated by poor soil conditions, low soil temp / moisture etc. Manganese availability is largely influenced by soil pH and soils recently limed can result in a manganese deficiency. Poor seedbed conditions and poorly consolidated seedbeds will result in poor root / soil contact resulting in a manganese deficiency. Foliar manganese applications are required to treat crops on deficient soils. Where crop leaf area is small there will be a small transfer of foliar manganese into the plant therefore repeated applications are required for efficient plant uptake. Zinc Zinc has a major role to play in fertility, seed formation, plant growth and defence against diseases. Zinc deficiency is a major problem is many parts of the cereal growing areas in Ireland. Zinc deficiency is problematic on continuous tillage soils and soils with elevated levels of soil phosphorus. Plant symptoms are very distinctive, in cereals zinc deficiency generally shows up in the early stages of growth, when the plant is only a few inches high, appearing first as yellow streaks in the young leaves with a white to yellowish tip. White spots often appear in the leaves or along the edges and a portion of the marginal area my die. Frequently the entire plant is stunted, due to shortening of the internodes. Cereal crops grown on soils with <2 mg/l will require a foliar zinc application.

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