| Cereals
Increase grain protein by 1 percent
By: Natalie Wood
hen growing
milling wheats,
everyone knows
how important it is
to hit that protein
quality parameter;
especially with wheat prices as
they are. Due to drought
conditions in other parts of
Europe, millers will be looking
more towards the UK and
importing less grain from other
countries. Therefore it is important
to hit the protein target that the
W
millers are looking for.
Increase grain protein by 1 percent
The top-up nitrogen application
for milling wheat needs to be
separate in order to build up the
protein to the required level.
Nitrogen source, rate and timing
are important when trying to boost
the protein to ensure the nitrogen
is utilised correctly in the plant.
Applying foliar nitrogen means
that the soil/root system is by-
passed and therefore minimises
the risks of nitrogen
30 | Farming Monthly | July 2017
immobilisation, denitrification and
leaching; all of which could occur
with the traditional flag leaf
application of nitrogen. The
nitrogen uptake is also much less
dependent on soil moisture and
this means it is a more reliable
source of N.
Applying 40-60kgN/ha which is
200L/ha of Nufol, depending on
the requirement, has shown to be
the best rate in Yara trial work. The
application should go on between
the end of flowering and milky-ripe
stages (69-75) to get the best
results and ensure the nitrogen is
used for boosting grain protein
rather than elsewhere within the
plant. If unsure then err on the side
of caution and go earlier rather
than later to avoid disappointing
results. It is also advisable to apply
when the crop is most receptive
for uptake, i.e. when conditions
are cool such as early morning (if
there is no dew present) or
evening.
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