Spring cereal nutrition

Following the cold wet spring, establishing spring crops has not been a very easy task with a large proportion going into less than ideal seedbeds, much later than planned. With such a short time in the ground, rapid early establishment is key to achieving a large leaf area for optimum light interception through to July. Although colder than usual seedbeds has held this back, nutrition is an important factor in this regard.

Phosphate required to stimulate rooting

Adequate levels of phosphate close to the emerging crop is required for improved rooting, whilst early nitrogen applications will help to increase uptake efficiency, especially if it dries out later in the season.

There is generally little evidence to show a yield benefit from splitting nitrogen applications for spring cereals compared to putting it all in the seedbed. However where cover crops have been grown prior to drilling, saving a proportion until later in the season may allow for adjustments to be made according to the release of nitrogen during the season. 

Monitor nitrogen levels in plant tissue to fine tune recommendations

Although the use of cover crops in a rotation can help with nutrient cycling (capturing nitrogen over winter that may otherwise be lost through leaching), they are unlikely to supply all the nitrogen back in time for the following crop to utilise it. Therefore, in these situations, tissue samples during the season can help to identify the levels of nitrogen in the crop to identify the need for additional nitrogen. 

Current Yara research is looking at the role of different cover crops and their release of nitrogen, with the aim of utilising tools such as the Yara N-Tester to help inform nitrogen applications for spring cereals.