Fertilization is crucial for ensuring high wheat yields. So, how can wheat be fertilized effectively? Below, we'll introduce high-yield wheat fertilization techniques.
Let's start with the common nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Generally speaking, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three essential nutrients for wheat during its growth. In medium-to-high-fertility soils, every 100 kg of wheat grain absorbs 3.0 kg of nitrogen, 1.2 kg of phosphorus pentoxide, and 3.0 kg of potassium oxide from the soil. Based on this renewal pattern, we apply fertilizers scientifically.
Typically, wheat has a relatively long growing cycle of 125-135 days. During this period, it's important to pay attention to wheat's fertilizer needs and, depending on the specific time of year, promptly supplement with macronutrients and trace elements to ensure the necessary fertilizers for growth. In winter wheat areas, before sowing, spread organic and chemical fertilizers and then plow the soil. Fertilization should be based on local soil and climatic conditions, combined with soil analysis from the local plant protection station. Depending on local soil conditions, a combination of chemical and organic fertilizers can significantly improve wheat yields. Generally speaking, areas with low rainfall do not require topdressing; a single deep application is sufficient. The principle of wheat fertilization is to apply sufficient base fertilizer and supplement with organic fertilizer. Since many areas suffer from insufficient soil organic matter due to years of chemical fertilizer use, adding appropriate amounts of organic fertilizer can improve soil quality and contribute to wheat yield and quality.
During wheat planting, pay attention to applying jointing fertilizer. This depends on the wheat's growth. If the wheat has few tillers and poor seedlings, apply jointing fertilizer earlier. If the seedlings are healthy and growing well, apply fertilizer later. Apply fertilizer based on seedling condition. Apply fertilizer later if the wheat has many tillers, good seedlings, and vigorous growth. Apply fertilizer earlier if the wheat has few tillers, poor seedlings, and weak growth. Because dry, hot winds are common in northern China every May, spraying 0.2% dipotassium hydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer once or twice is effective to prevent damage from these winds.
When fertilizing wheat, it's important to pay attention to two key periods: the critical nutritional period and the nutrient efficiency period. Flexibly managing these two periods is crucial. The critical nutritional period occurs during the seedling stage, when the root system is still weak and the absorption capacity is poor, making phosphorus an urgent need. The critical nitrogen period occurs when vegetative growth transitions to reproductive growth; for winter wheat, this occurs during the tillering and ear differentiation stages. Applying nitrogen fertilizer late in the growth cycle only increases nitrogen content in the stems and leaves and is unlikely to significantly increase grain number per ear or yield.
Let's discuss the nutrient efficiency period of wheat. This refers to the period when wheat absorbs the most nutrients, absorbs them quickly, and fertilization is highly effective in increasing yield. Winter wheat's nutrient efficiency period occurs from jointing to heading, when growth is vigorous and nutrient absorption is strong. Timely topdressing is essential to meet the wheat's nutrient needs and maximize fertilization effectiveness.
