Potential for Foliar Feeding Wheat
Wheat has great potential to benefit from foliar feeding. Studies indicate positive response to foliar feeding at various stages of wheat growth. The obvious choice for a producer to use this method of fertilization is when they are already making crop protection applications to the field. Often these applications correspond with the breaking of dormancy (Feekes 5-6) or to the emergence of the flag leaf or booting (Feekes 9-10). Foliar feeding wheat may best be accomplished with a complete fertilizer. When looking at the benefits of foliar feeding wheat, there are multiple studies looking at different nutrients, including N, P, K, and Micronutrients: Nitrogen –N significantly increased grain protein of HRWW and HRSW, with the post-anthesis application stage having the highest protein (2). Oklahoma State University authorities have said that N applications applied at or soon after flag leaf have a 33% chance of increasing yield, yet many questions still need answered including the timing and source of the N (9). While it is known that urea-triazone (active ingredient in N-rage and SRN) is Approx. 4x more stable than 100 urea (foliar). Phosphorus – Research shows foliar application of P at Feekes physiological growth stage 7 (two nodes detectable) generally increased grain yields and P uptake versus no foliar P. Use efficiency was higher when P was applied at Feekes 10.54 (flowering completed). Results suggested that low rates of foliar applied P might correct mid-season P deficiency in winter wheat, and that might result in higher P use efficiencies when compared to soil applications. Potassium - Simply having higher levels of K in wheat produce more dry matter and yield. Higher levels of K in the plant also enhance N and P uptake, especially under water stress (either too much or too little water). Micronutrients – Micronutrients, including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B are important to wheat crops and are a good fit for foliar application, often increasing yield and protein content of wheat. Zn and B have been identified as two nutrients with exceptional yield boosting possibilities. NACHURS products which are suitable for foliar applications in combination with many crop protection chemicals: Rhyzo-Link 9-15-3, Rhyzo-Link 3-10-13, NACHURS imPulse, NACHURS Triple Option, NACHURS Finish Line, NACHURS SRN, NACHURS N-Rage Max (always perform compatibility test prior to application). NACHURS products which may be combined with UAN (in proper ratio): NACHURS Finish Line, NACHURS CornGrow or NACHURS SoyGrow, NACHURS K-flex, NACHURS K-fuel, Rhyzo-link 0-0-15, NACHURS SRN, NACHURS N-Rage Max. NACHURS 100% EDTA Micronutrients may be added to any formulation. -Wayne Becker, Southern US Sales Agronomist
Wheat has great potential to benefit from foliar feeding. Studies indicate positive response to foliar feeding at various stages of wheat growth. The obvious choice for a producer to use this method of fertilization is when they are already making crop protection applications to the field. Often these applications correspond with the breaking of dormancy (Feekes 5-6) or to the emergence of the flag leaf or booting (Feekes 9-10).
Foliar feeding wheat may best be accomplished with a complete fertilizer. When looking at the benefits of foliar feeding wheat, there are multiple studies looking at different nutrients, including N, P, K, and Micronutrients:
- Nitrogen –N significantly increased grain protein of HRWW and HRSW, with the post-anthesis application stage having the highest protein (2). Oklahoma State University authorities have said that N applications applied at or soon after flag leaf have a 33% chance of increasing yield, yet many questions still need answered including the timing and source of the N (9). While it is known that urea-triazone (active ingredient in N-rage and SRN) is Approx. 4x more stable than 100 urea (foliar).
- Phosphorus – Research shows foliar application of P at Feekes physiological growth stage 7 (two nodes detectable) generally increased grain yields and P uptake versus no foliar P. Use efficiency was higher when P was applied at Feekes 10.54 (flowering completed). Results suggested that low rates of foliar applied P might correct mid-season P deficiency in winter wheat, and that might result in higher P use efficiencies when compared to soil applications.
- Potassium - Simply having higher levels of K in wheat produce more dry matter and yield. Higher levels of K in the plant also enhance N and P uptake, especially under water stress (either too much or too little water).
- Micronutrients – Micronutrients, including Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and B are important to wheat crops and are a good fit for foliar application, often increasing yield and protein content of wheat. Zn and B have been identified as two nutrients with exceptional yield boosting possibilities.
NACHURS products which are suitable for foliar applications in combination with many crop protection chemicals:
- Rhyzo-Link 9-15-3 , Rhyzo-Link 3-10-13 , NACHURS imPulse , NACHURS Triple Option , NACHURS Finish Line , NACHURS SRN , NACHURS N-Rage Max (always perform compatibility test prior to application).
NACHURS products which may be combined with UAN (in proper ratio):
- NACHURS Finish Line , NACHURS CornGrow or NACHURS SoyGrow , NACHURS K-flex , NACHURS K-fuel , Rhyzo-link 0-0-15 , NACHURS SRN , NACHURS N-Rage Max . NACHURS 100% EDTA Micronutrients may be added to any formulation.
