Wheat crops are fast approaching flag leaf and ear emergence with biomass achieved

Wheat crops are fast approaching flag leaf and ear emergence with biomass achieved, many crops still have nitrogen to be applied. With liquid application we now move into the prospect of crop scorch with the flag leaf now out. Granular nitrogen is still a possibility if large amounts are required and the soil is still damp, but this does depend on adequate soil moisture and the ability of the granule to get to the ground. Foliar nitrogen is a sound partner to either liquid or granular nitrogen, offering efficiency and immediate amide nitrogen to the crop. TRINITY is a complex amide nitrogen with magnesium and sulphur. These elements combined help the conversion of nitrogen to amino acids and proteins. With tissue and sap testing this season we have been aware of many shortages during crop construction phase. Magnesium has been difficult to manage this season, and foliar applications have been the easiest way to alleviate these issues. Magnesium being the centre of the chloroplast and essential for sunlight capture. Likewise, sulphur is required with nitrogen and is important in many amino acid forming proteins and so with crops approaching ear emergence having enough nitrogen to build adequate grain protein is hugely important

Not only does the plant require enough nitrogen within its biomass before ear emergence to move to build protein but additional uptake afterwards can supplement this, being more likely to be converted to proper protein rather than the late applied urea being called protein. A well-timed application of foliar nitrogen at or after flag leaf emergence will increase the volume of nitrogen available to your crops during that fundamental stage of protein development. Applying an efficient foliar nitrogen, and supporting nutrients, means that the soil/root/plant system is fortified.

Without a well-timed late application of nitrogen, magnesium, and sulphur, your crops may struggle to contain enough protein to satisfy the requirement for yield and quality. An application of TRINITY applied from flag leaf onwards and can be applied with most T3 fungicides (please consult your Aiva consultant) is the ideal timing for 40 kg N/ha applied to soil. Please bear in mind that TRINITY is part of a systems approach where nitrogen is built and managed in many different ways, from soil capture, soil release, soil applied, manure, etc. Foliar nutrition has an important contribution to make within the management of wheat crops. In addition, seaweed and amino acids also have an important support role that could be used with TRINITY to support the plant and increase protein building. Seaweed as an addition is better used with TRINITY at flag leaf, amino acids would be a better partner as the ear emerges. Both would be useful additions to alleviate stress, increase grain protein and maintain plant health. Nitrogen should not be used on its own but in sympathy to other elements and biological stimulants as the season progresses. Use sap and tissue analysis as a guide to decide on a programme. For those farms that are short of potassium then this element would be the best applied in addition to TRINITY as nitrogen and magnesium can depress potassium.

Nitrogen source, rate and timing are important when trying to boost grain protein levels. The target is to boost the final protein percentage as a true protein, rather than a crude protein that has no time to convert in the plant before it matures and is harvested. There is always a limit to what can be achieved so be realistic, if low applications of soil nitrogen have been applied and a good yield expected you may find there isn’t enough nitrogen within the plant at flag leaf to be moved to the ear, the limit to building from foliar is unlikely to exceed 1%.