ARABLE farmers are being encouraged by leading agronomy firm, Hutchinsons, to support chemistry with well balanced crop nutrition to maximise plant health.

Disease control invariably focuses on fungicides, but while they are the primary tool for tackling existing disease and protecting crops from infection, nutrition has a big impact on plant health.

As with human fitness, well-nourished crops will be healthier and less susceptible to infection, although excessive amounts can cause problems too.

According to Hutchinsons fertiliser manager, Tim Kerr, he said fit, healthy crops can also better tolerate stress conditions, such as those caused by weather or spray applications, which reduces the likelihood of health problems developing.

All macro and micro nutrition should be well balanced, although certain nutrients are of particular importance earlier in the season.

*Potassium

Potash is the nutrient with the greatest uptake demand of all arable crops, peaking at 50 kg/ha per week. Growers should note this when assessing fertiliser requirements for high yielding crops, as standard RB209 recommendations are based on an 8t/ha yield.

Potash has a major role in several plant functions, notably cell extension and maintaining the water content and turgidity of cells, said Mr Kerr.

“Turgid cells give plants a more rigid and upright structure that reduces the likelihood of lodging and physical damage, which creates a point for infection. Plants with adequate K are also better equipped to handle drought stress and maximise photosynthesis”

A high potassium concentration in the plant also increases its resistance to parasites.

Plants cannot store large amounts of potash, so enough must be available from the soil when required through peak growth periods.

“We recommend applying potash from the beginning to end of March, which gives fertiliser time to get into the soil solution in time for peak uptake.”

*Nitrogen

Nitrogen has a particular influence on green tissue development and is of similar importance to plant health as potash.

Extremes of availability can cause health issues, Mr Kerr said. For example, when insufficient nitrogen is available plants start to “cannibalise” themselves, using nitrogen from within cell walls, which increases susceptibility to infection and reduces yield potential.

Equally, excess nitrogen produces flushes of lush, soft growth and/or dense canopies that are more prone to infection and disease spread. Evidence also suggests excess nitrogen supply can increase severity of Septoria, rust and mildew.

He also pointed out that it it is essential to tailor fertiliser applications to yield potential, Green Area Index of individual crops and available soil nitrogen, especially given the propensity of nitrogen to be leached over winter. Soil mineral nitrogen testing is usually carried out in January or February, but tests can be done into early March if necessary.

“Little and often is the ideal for nitrogen fertiliser applications, but this has to be balanced with practical economic considerations.”

Foliar nutrition benefits

North Yorkshire agronomist Sam Hugill said foliar phosphite sprays, such as Advance 66 or Phorce, are a particularly good way of getting key nutrients into young crops early in the season ahead of the main fertiliser timings.

There are benefits for both tiller survival, ear numbers and overall plant health, plus the relatively low concentration of nutrients poses less potential environmental threat than bagged fertilisers can when conditions are very wet, he says.

“A relatively small volume of foliar nutrients applied early can have a comparatively big impact on crops by keeping tillers alive, which in turn increases final ear number and yield," said Mr Hugill.

He continued: Benefits differ depending on soil type. Nutrients leach very quickly on light land, so a top-up foliar product before solid fertiliser is applied helps to kick-start growth. On heavy land tillers are often sat in standing water, or ground is too wet to put bagged fertiliser on, so slow-release products that help keep plants going and retain tillers is worthwhile.”

Other key nutrients

Sulphur

• Significant constituent of key amino acids which form proteins

• Deficiency limits protein production and yield

• Utilisation is similar to nitrogen

• Should be applied to cereals every year

• “Little and often” is best, not just with first nitrogen

Micronutrients

• Essential part of crop health

• Often interact with other nutrients

• Manganese, zinc and molybdenum are of notable importance in wheat, but requirements vary

• Measure nutrient requirements with a Healthy Soils assessment

• Support with routine tissue testing at the start of spring growth, around GS31

Calcium

• Intrinsic in cell walls

• Plant tissues low in calcium are more susceptible to pests and disease

• UK soils not naturally calcium deficient but plants must keep up with demand, especially during drought or water-logging

• Good soil structure, establishment and rooting help overcome short-term deficiencies.

Nutrition

• Well-nourished crops less susceptible to disease

• Early potash particularly important

• Tailor nitrogen, sulphur and other nutrients to fields

• Use soil and tissue testing to determine nutritional requirements

• Plan nutrition and PGR strategies together

• Consider early foliar phosphite to aid tiller retention