Wheat

Wheat thrives on fertile loamy soils that are deep, well-aerated, and nutrient-rich. The optimal soils for wheat cultivation are moderately moist with a slightly acidic pH ranging from 6.3 to 7.2. Lighter, sandy soils may be suitable if the growing season has adequate and well-distributed rainfall, though there is a higher risk involved. Conversely, heavy and compact soils with poor drainage can suffer from waterlogging during rainy periods, potentially causing plant rot. Chernozem, brown soils, and eutric cambisols containing at least 2% humus are considered the most favorable for wheat production.

Najbolji predusjevi za pšenicu su proljetne kulture jer napuštaju tlo u vrijeme sjetve ozime pšenice. 

• The best pre-crop: 

  - Legumes, including soybeans, peas, and beans, mature early, which allows ample time for soil preparation and contributes a significant amount of nitrogen to the soil.

  - Sugar beet is regarded as an effective pre-crop, as long as it is harvested in time to permit tillage and the sowing of wheat.

• The good pre-crop:

  - Corn is commonly included in crop rotation with wheat, and it is crucial to consider the vegetation period of the chosen corn hybrid for appropriate soil preparation and to manage prevalent diseases.

  - Sunflowers and canola serve as excellent precursors for winter wheat due to their deep roots, which help to loosen the soil and facilitate mechanical tillage and soil preparation.

• The least suitable pre-cops  for wheat include cereals like oats, barley, and rye, as well as spelt, due to the increased risk of diseases and pests. Grasses and clover-grass mixtures can be both beneficial and detrimental as starters. Ploughing might lead to a higher incidence of wireworms. However, these mixtures are considered good starters since they contribute to nitrogen enrichment of the soil.

The ideal sowing window for wheat in our agroecological conditions spans from October 10 to 25. Sowing earlier may cause the wheat to overgrow, diminishing its winter hardiness. Conversely, sowing delays can lead to reduced wheat yield and quality. The appropriate sowing depth varies with soil type and timing, ranging from 3 to 5 cm. Seed quantities must be adequate to achieve the optimal ear density. For the varieties we offer (details available HERE), the standard sowing rate at the optimal time is 450-500 viable grains per square meter, equating to 220 - 240 kg/ha of seeds. For each 10-day delay in sowing, the seed rate should be increased by 10%.

Fertilization of wheat is a crucial agrotechnical practice to achieve high yields and quality. The precise nutrient requirements for a desired yield are determined through soil chemical analysis. Wheat responds rapidly to fertilization, with young plants starting to absorb soil nutrients within the first few days.
Different soil types and agroecological conditions dictate the importance of nitrogen in achieving high wheat yields, as well as the balance between NPK nutrients and the timing of fertilization. The growth and development of winter wheat are largely influenced by temperature, light, and precipitation levels. If these external factors are not within optimal ranges, their negative impact cannot be significantly mitigated by fertilizer use.
Wheat development also necessitates iron and sulfur, along with trace elements like zinc, nickel, manganese, boron, copper, and more. Fertilization typically involves nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with other elements added less frequently. Nutrient absorption peaks during the tillering phase.

When the preceding crop leaves substantial plant residue (such as corn), 100-150 kg/ha of urea should be applied before primary processing for better residue decomposition. Basic fertilization introduces phosphorus and potassium into the soil at a ratio of 0:20:30 or combined with nitrogen (7:20:30, 5:15:30), following soil analysis recommendations, typically at 200-400 kg/ha.
One-third of the total nitrogen fertilizer requirement is added during autumn processing, with the remainder supplemented later.
For precise and proper nutrition, an N-min soil analysis is necessary about 7-10 days after the scheduled fertilization.
When temperatures stabilize above 6°C, both day and night,

Nitrogen, as one of the most important elements in building yield and grain quality, is added several times, i.e. in 2-3 feedings:

• The first feeding should be done in the stage of 3-4 leaves or in plowing with about 60-70 kg N/ha [UREA, AN, KAN] and the aim is to make nitrogen available to the plant when the growth of the classes in the plant begins - this is the key moment for yield building. At the beginning of flowering, the plant must have available nitrogen supplies. In this period, we also recommend the application of our Starter foliar fertilizer, which contains 12% phosphorus.
• The second feeding is done with 50-60 kg N/ha after the appearance of the first tuber [AN, KAN], it is done at the beginning of leafing, approximately 14-20 days after the first. Wheat then goes through the third and fourth stages of organogenesis, and the second supplement is determined according to the state of crop development.
• A possible third feeding is done with a smaller amount, about 30 kg N/ha, and it is significant only for grain quality, i.e. increasing the protein content. It is important to emphasize that the third supplement makes sense if rainfall is predicted. We recommend our foliar fertilizer Valor K+

Starter, an Axereal group brand, is a potent biostimulator that enhances the plant's physiological state, fortifying it against various stressors, particularly during the early growing season when low temperatures can make phosphorus inaccessible to young plants, leading to physiological phosphorus deficiency. It aids in the uptake of minerals from the soil via the young roots and improves plant nutrition by adding nutrients at a crucial growth and development stage. 

Starter contains a high concentration of readily soluble phosphorus for foliar application, reaching the leaf surface. It is compatible with numerous plant protection products, but physico-chemical and biological tests should be conducted before use.
For foliar application: apply 3 l/ha, from the onset of tillering to the beginning of the second tillering treatment, monitoring the plant's condition in the 1 cm class phase.

Valor K+, another Axereal group brand, is a biostimulator for crop nutrition and a soil activator that enhances mineral availability. With 8.7% nitrogen, 6.3% potassium, and 59% sulfur, it facilitates the targeted addition of nutrients to the plant, aiming to boost yield (weight of one thousand grains, protein) during the stage most susceptible to nitrogen addition.

It is advised to consistently monitor and inspect your crops to promptly detect any signs of plant diseases, weeds, or pests. Utilizing registered plant protection products is essential for effectively safeguarding your crops against these threats, which in turn enhances both yield and quality.

Our selection includes high-quality herbicides, with choices largely based on the type and extent of weed infestation in the field. Weed control is possible in both autumn and spring, but typically, it is conducted in spring as vegetation begins to grow in our region.

Protection against diseases should be implemented two to three times throughout the growing season. The timely use of fungicides plays a crucial role in improving the yield and quality of the grain.

Successful treatment also depends on environmental conditions. During application, the daytime temperature should exceed 15°C, and not drop below 10°C at night. Subsequently, for the following seven days, both day and night temperatures should remain above 5°C, which is the ideal range for effective fungicide translocation.

T1: involves the movement of vegetation to maintain a healthy vegetative mass. To safeguard the crop until the onset of flowering, an intermediate treatment known as T2 is necessary.
T2: is designed to preserve the green mass's health until the phenophase of the fully developed flag leaf. In wheat cultivation, it's vital to keep the spike and the two leaves below it healthy, which T2 achieves.
T3: should be applied at the start of flowering. This treatment protects the ear from Fusarium spp and Septoria spp infections. Its importance is particularly evident when rain is forecasted, as these diseases spread through spores that multiply in raindrops on leaves. Missing this treatment and allowing infection can lead to irreparable damage. Hence, we recommend preventive treatment to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Should you have any uncertainties or reservations about our product recommendations, do not hesitate to reach out to our expert team. Our colleagues are always on hand, and we offer a range of plant protection products to meet our customers' needs.

Timely harvesting using well-adjusted and clean harvesters can minimize grain breakage and reduce the presence of chaff and other impurities. The wheat harvest should be completed as quickly as possible, ideally within 5–8 days, as any delays can lead to significant yield losses. For instance, a delay of 4-5 days may decrease the yield by as much as 10%, while a delay of 10 days could result in a loss of up to 30%. Harvesting should proceed without delay to avoid the risk of precipitation, which detrimentally affects the crop by soaking the sheaves, leading to a reduction in dry matter (yield) and quality, as well as a decrease in the weight of 1000 grains and the hectoliter weight.