Simplified N fertilization strategies for winter wheat. Part 1: plants: compensation capacity of modern wheat varieties

ABSTRACT

Winter wheat in northwestern Europe is often fertilized with several doses of calcium-ammonium-nitrate (CAN). For economy, farmers fertilize using a combination of N-doses. Here, we examined the necessity of N splitting (1–3) and application timing in experiments conducted in 2010 using a one-factorial fully randomized block design, and in 2011–2012 using a two-factorial split-plot design (four replicates). The study site, in southwestern Germany, had silty loam soil, and modern cultivars (2010: one cultivar, 2011–2012: three cultivars) with different genetic abilities to develop the yield components of interest were tested. A late first or single N application at stage BBCH 29/31 did not lead to differences in grain yields or protein contents compared to three N applications. However, a single N application at stage BBCH 25/27 resulted in a reduced protein content. Yield component development did not significantly differ among the cultivars. Early N application increased plant density but not yield. In two years, low plant densities were compensated by higher numbers of kernels per spike. Hence, under the tested conditions, the number of N applications could be reduced, as the high compensation ability of modern cultivars allows N fertilization consisting of two or even one application.     

Abiotic soil properties and the occurrence of Rhizoctonia crown and root rot in sugar beet

Since 1993, Rhizoctonia crown and root rot (Rhizoctonia solani AG 2–2 IIIB) has represented an increasing problem for sugar beet production in Germany. Up to now, the outbreak of the infection and the spread of the disease within a field cannot be predicted and effective countermeasures are not available. Although little is known about the living conditions of R. solani in soils, abiotic soil properties are likely to influence the disease occurrence. Investigations were carried out based on 60 pairwise comparisons, each consisting of a disease‐affected and an adjacent nonaffected patch on farmers' fields in 2002 and 2003. Soil samples from the top soil layer (0–30 cm) were collected before harvest, and eight of the most frequently mentioned soil properties potentially influencing Rhizoctonia crown and root rot infection were examined: bulk density, texture, carbonate carbon, potassium, phosphorus, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and pH. The occurrence of the disease was significantly related to the soil C : N ratio, indicating the influence of soil organic matter on the disease occurrence. Examinations of soil thin sections showed that organic‐matter particles in the soil serve as a substrate for R. solani. All other soil physical and chemical properties examined did not differ between the disease‐affected and nonaffected patches and seem to be of minor importance.     

Meffung des Expofitionsklimas II

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Die Beschattung am Bestandsrand

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