Role of Nutrients by Wheat Growth Stage
Establishment![]()
- Nitrogen for early rapid growth.
- Phosphate to supply the energy for early growth and development, especially root mass.
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Tillering
- Nitrogen for leaf development and size, increasing tiller number per plant.
- Manganese for its role in the structure of photosynthetic proteins and enzymes.
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Stem Extension
- Nitrogen for large leaves, rapid growth and development.
- Phosphate to supply the energy for growth and development.
- Potassium for plant water regulation and structural integrity.
- Sulphur for yield and quality improvements.
- Manganese for its role in the structure of photosynthetic proteins and enzymes.
- Zinc for enzyme reactions, nitrogen metabolism, and protein synthesis.
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Flag Leaf and Grain Filling
- Nitrogen for higher yields through green leaf duration, grain site survival, grain size and protein levels.
- Magnesium for green leaf duration .
- Phosphate for dry matter remobilisation for yield improvements.
- Boron for pollen viability.
Related articles
Wheat Nutritional Summary
A correct balance between macronutrients and micronutrients is essential to obtain the best results possible from wheat. A deficiency of any single nutrient is enough to limit crop yield.
Increasing Wheat Yield
The two key yield components of wheat are grain numbers per unit area, and the individual grain weight. High yields come from achieving the correct leaf and shoot numbers, maintaining a green leaf canopy, increasing grain numbers/ear and grain size.
Increasing Wheat Grain Protein Quantity and Quality
Protein has two components associated with it, namely the quantity or protein content and the quality of this protein. Both are affected by the levels of nitrogen and sulphur in the plant as it develops through the season.
