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Yield Predictive Worth of Pre-Flowering and Post-Flowering Indicators of Nitrogen Economy in High Yielding Winter Wheat
Indicators of nitrogen economy in winter wheat during vegetative development are a reliable tool for yield prognosis. This hypothesis was verified in a field experiment, carried out in the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, and 2015/2016 seasons. The field experiment, in a two-factor split-plot design, included the following systems of wheat protection (CFP): (i) N + micronutrients, (ii) N + fungicides, (iii) N + micronutrients + fungicides; and N rates: 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240 kg N ha−1. The content and accumulation of N in wheat at the beginning of stem elongation and at heading were used for grain density and yield prediction. In the grain-filling phase, the stem N acted as a buffer, stabilizing yield at a high level. The condition for such action was the stem N equilibrium with the ear N at flowering. The N depletion from the leaves during the grain-filling period significantly depended on the grain density. The post-flowering uptake of N by wheat was affected by the grain density, which was affected by the N reserves in the stem. Yield forecast based on pre-flowering indices of nitrogen economy in cereals affects both agronomic decisions aimed at correcting the nutritional status of plants, and farm economics.
Inorganic Fungicides (Phosphites) Instead of Organic Fungicides in Winter Wheat—Consequences for Nitrogen Fertilizer Productivity
Substitution of organic with inorganic fungicides (phosphites, Phi) does not change the efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen (Nf) in winter wheat. This hypothesis was tested in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 growing seasons. A two-factorial experiment with three phosphite variants (Cu–Phi, Mg–Phi, and Cu/Mg) and six plant protection methods (fungicides + Phi ⟶ reduced fungicide frequency + phosphite ⟶ phosphite). Grain yield decreased with increasing frequency of phosphites instead of fungicides. The decrease in yields was 3.6 t ha−1 in the favorable 2016/2017 and 1.1 t ha−1 in the dry 2017/2018. The primary reason for yield decrease in a given growing season was increased wheat infestation by pathogens. The direct cause was disturbances in the nitrogen status of wheat after flowering on treatments with a predominance of phosphites. The thousand grain weight (TGW) responded negatively to reduced fungicide application frequency. The critical stage in the assessment of pathogen pressure on wheat was the medium milk phase (BBCH 75). At this stage, indices of SPAD and leaf greenness together with indices of wheat infestation with pathogens allowed for a reliable prediction of both TGW and grain yield. It can be concluded that phosphites do not substitute organic fungicides in limiting pathogen pressure in winter wheat. Moreover, increased pressure of pathogens significantly reduces Nf productivity.
Effect of Foliar Application of Micronutrients and Fungicides on the Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Winter Wheat
The increase in the grain density (GD) is the key factor for effectively controlling Nitrogen-Use Efficiency (NUE) in winter wheat. Winter-wheat protection with fungicides and/or foliar fertilization with micronutrients during the critical stages of yield formation affects the grain yield by increasing GD. This hypothesis was verified in a two-factor field experiment, carried out in the 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016 growing seasons. A field experiment in a two-factor split-plot design, included three systems of wheat foliar protection (FP): (i) N + Mi (N + macronutrients), (ii) N + P (N + fungicides), (iii) N + Mi + P, and 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240 kg N ha−1. The grain yield, despite the significant effect of years, depended on the interaction of FP and N doses. The maximum yield of 8.1, 10.7, 11.1 t ha−1 for the optimal N dose of 79.8, 227.4, and 245.2 kg ha−1, was achieved, respectively, for N + Mi, N + N, N + Mi + P. The wheat-grain yield depended significantly on GD (R2 = 0.98, p ≤ 0.001). Wheat protected with fungicides increased GD gradually with the N dose, reaching over 3000 grains per m2 when fertilized with 200 kg N ha−1. The lack of fungicide protection, reducing GD, consequently resulted in a greater accumulation of N in straw at the expense of grain. Fungicide protection of wheat through the positive effect on N management by wheat should be considered as an agronomic measure that supports N-Use Efficiency.