Reaction of Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Depending on the Multi-Component Foliar Fertilization

Abstract

Winter wheat is a popular cultivated grain, and to produce high and good-quality yields, it requires proper fertilization. In a field experiment, the reactions of winter wheat, cv. RGT Kilimanjaro with multicomponent foliar fertilization were assessed. The tested factor were foliar fertilizers used in various combinations: (A)—Control, (B)—YaraVita Gramitrel, (C)—YaraVita Kombiphos, (D)—YaraVita Thiotrac, (E)—YaraVita Gramitrel + YaraVita Kombiphos, (F)—YaraVita Gramitrel + YaraVita Thiotrac, (G)—YaraVita Kombiphos + YaraVita Thiotrac, (H)—YaraVita Gramitrel + YaraVita Kombiphos + YaraVita Thiotrac. It was shown that the variable weather conditions over years of research had a modifying effect on the yields. The best results were achieved by applying three times foliar fertilization (variant H). The obtained increase in grain yield in relation to the control (A) amounted to 0.62 t⸱ha−1. The innovation of the experiment is its possibility to limit the dose of soil fertilizers in the cultivation of winter wheat without reducing the size and quality of the grain yield. This has an important ecological and economic aspect. The combinations of used foliar fertilizers contain rapidly digestible micro- (Mn, Zn, Cu) and macronutrients (N, P, K, Mg, S). Compared to the control, the content of protein and microelements in the grain increased and the fibers decreased. Plant field measurements showed that index SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) and LAI (Leaf Area Index) readings increased after foliar fertilization, but the index MTA (Mean Tip Angle) was decreased compared to the control. In the case of the stomata conductivity of leaves (Gs), it was proven that the applied fertilization in variant H resulted in a reduction in measurements compared to the control.