First application
First dose in spring at the beginning of the vegetation
The first application in spring achieves a quick and early growth start. This dose is crucial for the tillering and influences the formation of the ears/m².
Especially after the winter break, it is important to provide phosphorus, potash and sulphur, as the nutrients in the soil are not yet mobilised due to the cold.
Water-soluble NPK(S) fertilizer-formulae ensure the necessary supply of nutrients in the upper root areas for rapid absorption. Special attention should be paid to the nitrogen form. Only nitrate nitrogen is readily available under these conditions. The conversion of ammonium to nitrate, at 5°C soil temperature, takes up to several weeks. This, in turn, means that the fertilized nitrogen would come into effect too late.
Second application
Dose at the start of shooting
The second dose is given in the period from the start of shooting to the 2-node stage (EC 30-32). In this phase, the development of the spike takes place in the stalk and this stage is crucial for the formation of the grains per ear. A denser stock should be fertilized a little later (EC 32). Thus, the wheat has enough time to reduce the shoots due to lack of nitrogen. If the stock is too sparse, every single stalk must develop into a productive ear. Here it is necessary to perform the second dose earlier (EC 30) so as not to lose any shoots. The crop density can in turn be controlled best with nitrate nitrogen.
Third application
Dose at ear emergence
The last application is made when the flag leaf (EC 37) appears until the beginning of the ear emergence (EC 51). At this stage, nitrogen administration has a significant impact on grain weight and protein content.
The decisive factor for durum is achievement of the desired quality goals (glassiness, dark-stained grains, colour value, number of drops and crude protein content), otherwise it is difficult to sell the harvest. Crude protein content of at least 14.5% is important for glassiness. This makes the 3rd dose extremely important. With the 3rd application of N, the crude protein content increases, as does the thousand-grains weight.
At normal yield levels, a dose of 60kg N/ha is common at the beginning of ear emergence (BBCH 49 to 51). In cases of high yield, the third dose is partially split, the last dose is then given at the start of flowering in order to increase the protein content further.
