Cereal Fertiliser and Crop Nutrition

Nitrogen

The role of nitrogen in cereals:

Nitrogen plays a crucial role in the growth and development of cereal crops. It is an essential nutrient that is a key component of amino acids, proteins and chlorophyll, all of which are vital for plant growth and photosynthesis and it promotes the development of leaves and stems.

Identifying nitrogen deficiency in cereals: 

This involves identifying specific symptoms shown by the plants. Nitrogen deficiency often leads to a yellowing of the older leaves, starting from the tips and edges and progressing inward between the veins.

Cereal crops with insufficient nitrogen may exhibit overall stunted growth. Shorter plants, reduced leaf size, and a general lack of vigour are common indicators. In cereal crops like wheat and barley, a nitrogen-deficient plant will have fewer tillers and thinner stems.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other factors, such as diseases, pests, or other nutrient deficiencies.

Utiliising Nitrogen in cereals:

Applying a spring application of P&K with the first dressing of nitrogen is a convenient and effective way of providing nutrition for cereal crops, utilising Mulitlflo NPKS Liquid Cereal Fertiliser. Followed by applications of Nitroflo nitrogen and sulphur liquid cereal fertiliser to maximise crop potential.

Folex N

Foliar nitrogen nutrition is a useful strategy to rapidly address nitrogen deficiencies or boost crop nutrition. Foliar application bypasses soil interactions, resulting in faster nutrient uptake, especially when there are soil conditions that limit root uptake and provides a quick response to nutrient deficiencies, addressing acute nutritional stress during critical growth stages.

This can be particularly beneficial when there is a sudden need for additional nitrogen, such as during periods of rapid crop growth or when adverse weather conditions affect nutrient availability in the soil. By applying nitrogen directly to the plant, there is a reduced risk of nutrient losses through leaching or volatilisation compared to traditional soil applications, contributing to more efficient nutrient use and reduced environmental impact.

It is essential to integrate foliar fertilisation into a comprehensive nutrient management plan that includes soil testing, appropriate soil-applied fertilisers, and other agronomic practices.

Protein Plus

AHDB research, published November 2022, shows that foliar urea applications at GS73 consistently improve grain protein levels and baking quality to higher levels than earlier applications of ammonium nitrate.

In 2015 OMEX conducted trials on Protein Plus and alternative formulations/rates of nitrogen to improve grain protein and baking quality. The protein levels and quality where monitored by Frontier Agriculture and Campden BRI. All applications that received a higher rate were all more effective, in line with the AHDB recommendation to apply 40 kg/ha late N for protein.

In relation to yield the best performing treatments were based on Protein Plus or Protein Plus S at 200 L/ha, giving 16-19% additional yield. The below baking tests, performed by Campden BRI demonstrate the quality of bread produced.

Phosphorus

The role of phosphorus in cereals:

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for cereal crops and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes that contribute to their growth and development. The key roles of phosphate (the form of phosphorus plants absorb) in cereals include energy transfer and storage; phosphorus is a component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy carrier in plants.

During photosynthesis, ATP is produced and used to transfer and store energy within the plant. This energy is vital for various metabolic processes and drives essential cellular activities. Phosphorus is a fundamental component of nucleic acids, including DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid).

These nucleic acids are critical for genetic information transfer, replication, and protein synthesis. Phosphorus is therefore essential for the genetic processes that regulate plant growth and development. Phosphorus is also a key component of phospholipids, which are structural components of cell membranes. Proper cell membrane structure is crucial for maintaining cell integrity and regulating nutrient uptake and transport within the plant.

Identifying phosphorus deficiency in cereals:

Phosphorus deficiency can lead to a range of symptoms in cereal crops, including stunted growth, delayed maturity, and poor root development. It is not uncommon to see purple or reddish leaves in cereal crops, particularly in late winter when phosphate availability can be compromised, often most prominent on the undersides.

This discoloration is often due to an accumulation of anthocyanin pigments and can be a visual cue for phosphorus deficiency. In some cases, the leaves of phosphorus-deficient plants may appear dark green or bluish-green; a response to the reduced chlorophyll production, which is influenced by phosphorus availability.

In severe cases of phosphorus deficiency, the older leaves may exhibit necrosis (cell death) starting at the leaf tips and progressing along the margins. This can lead to a characteristic burnt or scorched appearance.

Phosphorus deficiency can also result in reduced tillering, where cereal plants produce fewer side shoots. Tillering is important for increasing the number of stems and potential grain-bearing structures.

Utilising phosphorus in cereals:

Phosphorus can be applied with the base fertiliser application with Multiflo cereal fertiliser utilising a range a grades specific to your soil indices and how much P needs applying. The P within Multiflo is 100% soluble and an excellent quality grade, making it instantly available to the crop to encourage rooting.

Polymex

Polymex can improve the efficiency of your Multiflo application, particularly in lighter soils where nutrients are prone to leaching. Polymex ensures the phosphorus is available to the crop for longer.

Folex P

Folex P is an effective way of increasing phosphate within the cereal crop when soil type or condition, growing conditions, or poor root development prevent uptake through the roots.

Potassium

The role of potassium in cereals:

Potassium is an essential nutrient for cereal crops and plays a crucial role in their overall growth and development. It is involved in osmoregulation, helping to maintain the turgor pressure (water balance) in plant cells. This pressure is essential for cell expansion, which is crucial for overall plant growth. Crops with sufficient potassium levels are more efficient in the use of water and potassium helps plants to withstand drought stress by improving water uptake and reducing water loss through transpiration.

Potassium activates many of the enyymes involved in various physiological processes, including photosynthesis, respiration, and protein synthesis. These enzymatic activities are essential for the cereal plant’s metabolism and energy production. Potassium also plays a role in the uptake and transport of other nutrients within the plant. It enhances the uptake of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, promoting balanced nutrient utilization.

Cereal crops require potassium for stress tolerance, including resistance to diseases and pests. Potassium-deficient plants are more susceptible to various stress factors, while adequate potassium levels can help enhance the plant’s resilience. Through it’s role in water balance, potassium is essential for the opening and closing of stomata, the small pores on the leaf surface. Stomatal regulation is crucial for gas exchange during photosynthesis, and proper potassium levels contribute to efficient photosynthetic processes.

Potassium helps in building resistance against various diseases. Plants with sufficient potassium are generally less susceptible to diseases as it contributes to the development of stronger cell walls and overall plant health.

Identifying Potassium deficiency in cereals:

Cereal crops with potassium deficiency can show various visual symptoms that affect different parts of the plant. One of the early signs of potassium deficiency is yellowing of older leaves, starting from the leaf margins. This chlorosis typically begins at the tips and edges of the leaves, giving them a scorched appearance.

As potassium deficiency progresses, the leaf margins may become scorched and eventually turn brown or develop necrotic (dead) areas. This is often more pronounced in the older leaves. Since potassium is crucial for cell expansion and overall plant growth, deficient plants can be stunted and the development of shoots and roots may be compromised.

Inadequate potassium levels can lead to poor grain development and reduced grain fill. This can result in smaller and less weighty grains, reducing grain specific weight and ultimately affecting crop yield. Potassium deficiency can lead to weaker stems that are more prone to lodging impacting harvest and increasing the risk of disease and potassium-deficient plants may be more susceptible to various diseases and pests due to weakened cell walls and compromised overall plant health.

In some cases, leaves may exhibit curling, especially at the leaf margins. This distortion is a response to the inadequate water regulation caused by potassium deficiency. affecting the timing of flowering and the overall maturation process.

Utilising potassium in Cereals:

Folex K39

Folex K 39 is a very effective way of supplying phosphorus (K) to the plant when the crop requires it. It can be utilised when deficiency is diagnosed or suspected.

Magnesium

The role of magnesium in cereals:

Magnesium is an essential nutrient for cereal crops and although many UK soils contain sufficient magnesium for healthy growth, availability may become restricted during dry conditions. Magnesium is a central component of the chlorophyll molecule, which is crucial for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy, producing carbohydrates for growth and development. Magnesium is involved in the transfer of energy within the plant. Like phosphorus, it is a component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency in cells. ATP is used to fuel various metabolic processes in the plant. Many enzymes require magnesium as a cofactor for their activation, involved in processes such as DNA and RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, and various metabolic pathways.

Magnesium enhances the uptake of phosphorus by plant roots and helps plants tolerate stress conditions, including drought and temperature extremes. It plays a role in maintaining cell turgor pressure, which is essential for cell stability during stressful periods. Magnesium also facilitates the movement of other nutrients within the plant and is involved in the transport of phosphorus and other ions between plant tissues.

Identifying Mg deficiency in cereals:

Visual symptoms of magnesium deficiency in cereal crops can include interveinal chlorosis, similar to potassium deficiency, where the tissue between the veins of the leaves turns yellow while the veins remain green. Leaf Margins tend to remain green, creating a characteristic pattern of green veins on a yellow background and leaf curlling or cupping can also occur.

Utilising potassium in Cereals:

Folex Mg

Folex Mg is supplied in two forms, one with additional nitrogen and one with additional Sulphur depending on your growing situation. A foliar fertiliser dose of magnesium can be applied to the cereal crop to remedy deficiency and promote plant health.

Calcium

The role of calcium in cereals:

Calcium is an essential nutrient for cereal crops and although it is present in most UK soils at high levels availability issues due to dry soil conditions can impair plant performance. Calcium is a primary component of plant cell walls. It forms pectin, a complex polysaccharide that provides strength and rigidity to cell walls so adequate calcium levels contribute to the structural integrity of plant cells, enhancing cell wall strength.

Calcium plays a vital role in cell division and elongation, contributing to overall plant growth. It is involved in the regulation of various cellular processes, including cell expansion and differentiation and helps regulate membrane permeability and stability. It is involved in the control of ion movement across cell membranes, influencing various physiological processes such as nutrient uptake and signal transduction.

Like magnesium, calcium acts as a cofactor for several enzymes involved in plant metabolism. It activates enzymes that play roles in processes like respiration, photosynthesis, and signal transduction. Calcium plays a crucial role in the plant’s response to various stress factors, including biotic and abiotic stresses. It is involved in signaling pathways that trigger defence mechanisms against pathogens and environmental stresses. In cereals, adequate calcium levels contribute to the prevention of disorders related to grain development and quality.

Identifying Ca deficiency in cereals:

Visual symptoms of calcium deficiency in cereal crops can lead to stunted plant growth, affecting both shoot and root development. Deficient plants may exhibit necrotic (dead) areas on leaves, particularly at the tips and edges and poorly developed root systems, limiting the plant’s ability to take up water and nutrients.

Utilising calcium in Cereals:

Folex Caleba

Folex Caleba can be utilised as a foliar fertiliser of calcium to remedy deficiency and improve crop health.

Boron

The role of boron in cereals:

Boron is an essential micronutrient for cereal crops and is generally supplied in sufficient quantities by most UK soils. Boron is indispensable for various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. Boron is involved in the synthesis of cell wall components, including pectins. Pectins play a critical role in cell wall structure and function, providing strength and flexibility to plant cells.

Boron is essential for proper pollination and seed development. It plays a role in the growth and elongation of pollen tubes, facilitating the movement of male gametes to female reproductive organs. Adequate boron levels contribute to the formation of viable seeds.

Boron is also involved in the transport of sugars within the plant. It influences the movement of sugars from source tissues (such as leaves) to sink tissues (such as developing seeds), ensuring proper energy distribution for growth and reproduction. Boron acts as a cofactor for certain enzymes involved in various metabolic processes. It helps activate enzymes that participate in carbohydrate metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, and other essential biochemical pathways.

Boron also interacts with calcium in the plant, influencing calcium uptake and utilization. Proper calcium utilization is crucial for cell wall integrity, membrane stability, and various cellular functions. Boron plays a role in the regulation of plant hormones, including auxins, which are involved in cell elongation and division. Adequate boron levels contribute to proper hormonal balance, influencing plant growth and development.

Identifying boron deficiency in cereals:

Deficiency symptoms are rare but young leaves may exhibit chlorosis (yellowing) between veins, progressing to necrosis (death of tissue) in severe cases. Boron deficiency can lead to brittle and distorted plant growth and affected plant tissues may become twisted or deformed. Insufficient boron can result in poor pollination, leading to abnormal flower and seed development.

Excessive boron can be toxic to plants, so careful management is necessary to maintain an optimal balance and foliar application following confirmed deficiency is preferable on cereals.

Utilising boron in cereals:

Folex B

Use on crops and/or soils susceptible to boron deficiency will reduce/prevent deficiency symptoms and reduce risk of yield loss.

Copper

The role of copper in cereals:

Copper is an essential micronutrient for cereal crops and plays a crucial role in various physiological processes that contribute to their growth and development and it can be deficient in UK soils, particularly soils with a high organic matter content, such as peaty soils, where the copper can become unavailable.

Sandy soils, which are free-draining and have lower cation exchange capacity, can be more susceptible to copper leaching, reducing copper availability for plants. Copper availability tends to decrease in acidic soils (pH below 6.0), where copper forms less soluble compounds, limiting its uptake by plant roots. Copper acts as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in essential plant processes, related to photosynthesis, respiration, lignin formation and the metabolism of various compounds.

Copper is a component of proteins involved in electron transport within the plant. This is crucial for energy production during processes like photosynthesis and respiration and it plays a vital role in the synthesis of chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for photosynthesis. Copper is involved in the cross-linking of cell wall proteins and the formation of lignin.

This contributes to cell wall strength and structure, providing support and rigidity to plant cells. Copper is important for various reproductive processes in plants, including pollen development, pollen tube growth, and fertilization. It plays a role in the proper functioning of enzymes related to these processes.

Identifying copper deficiency in cereals:

Visual symptoms of copper deficiency in cereal crops may include chlorosis, where leaves exhibit yellowing between veins, particularly in younger leaves. Insufficient copper can also result in overall stunted plant growth, affecting both shoots and roots. Classic symptoms are where leaves may show symptoms of distortion, twisting, or curling in response to copper deficiency.

Utilising copper in cereals:

Folex Cu

Use on crops and/or soils susceptible to copper deficiency will reduce/prevent deficiency symptoms and reduce risk of yield loss.

Manganese

The role of manganese in cereals:

Manganese is an essential micronutrient for cereal crops as it plays several important roles in their growth and development. Manganese is a critical component of the water-splitting complex in the photosystem II of chloroplasts. This complex is involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, where water is split to release oxygen and provide electrons for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate).

Manganese also acts as an activator for various enzymes involved in metabolic processes, including the breakdown of carbohydrates and nitrogen metabolism. It plays a role in the activation of enzymes such as those in the citric acid cycle and contributes to antioxidant defence mechanisms within plant cells. It helps in the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can be produced during various metabolic processes and stress conditions.

It is also involved in the uptake and translocation of iron within the plant. It helps in the regulation of iron homeostasis, which is crucial for chlorophyll synthesis and other physiological processes.

Identifying manganese deficiency in cereals:

Visual symptoms of manganese deficiency in cereal crops may include interveinal chlorosis, where the tissue between the veins of young leaves turns yellow while the veins remain green. Leaves may exhibit a bronze or reddish discolouration and show mottling or speckling, especially in dicotyledonous plants, as a result of manganese deficiency.

Utilising manganese in cereals:

SuperMn

SuperMn is a foliar fertiliser formulation high in manganese combined with magnesium, nitrate N and sulphate S.

The high quality formulation means more Mn is absorbed by leaves compared with simpler formulations, resulting in faster reduction of deficiency symptoms and an extended period of plant available Mn. Use SuperMn when manganese deficiency is diagnosed or suspected, or as a maintenance dressing to prevent less than optimal growth.

Folex Mn

Folex Mn 20% can be utilised when rapid uptake of manganese is required, along with nitrogen to boost green leaf area. Use when deficiency is diagnosed or suspected. Refer to individual crop recommendations for timings.

Zinc

The role of zinc in cereals:

Zinc is crucial for cereal crop production as it is an essential micronutrient required for various physiological processes in the plants. Cereal crops, including wheat and barley need zinc for proper growth, development and reproduction. Zinc acts as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in various metabolic pathways.

These enzymes play essential roles in processes such as photosynthesis, DNA replication, and protein synthesis. Zinc is uniquely involved in the synthesis and regulation of plant hormones, particularly auxins. Auxins are essential for cell elongation, root development, and overall plant growth. Zinc is also a component of proteins which are critical for many plant functions, including structure, defence mechanisms, and signalling pathways.

Identifying zinc deficiency in cereals:

Zinc deficiency in cereal crops can lead to symptoms such as stunted growth, yellowing of leaves (chlorosis), and poor development of reproductive structures, ultimately impacting yield and quality.

Utilising zinc in cereals:

Zynergy

Zynergy is a specially formulated combination of highly available copper and zinc and has been designed to form a key part of an integrated crop management programme to boost crop health and maximise yield potential. Zynergy foliar fertiliser corrects nutrient deficiency, improves plant health and tolerance of abiotic stress. Use as a maintenance treatment in conjunction with crop protection programmes.