Fertilisation before seeding during strip tillage and fertilisation after seeding

Proper and uniform crop emergence and subsequent regeneration always depend on soil cultivation and balanced nutrition. It is important to conduct regular soil analyses to determine at least the basic macro-elements and pH values, especially when applying organic fertilisers, where the content of individual elements is not precisely defined, and gradual mineralization occurs. Soil pH plays a significant role in the accessibility of individual elements and also affects the activity of soil micro-organisms. In the case of highly acidic or highly alkaline soil, mineralization is limited, and nutrients are bound in insoluble compounds. Each plant has different nutrient requirements, which must be taken into account, considering whether only grain or also straw is harvested.

The application of fertiliser before seeding into the upper soil layer is essential for a quick and healthy start of plants. In the early growth stages, plants have a shallow root system and are unable to reach deeper layers for the necessary nutrients. By assisting them with starter fertiliser, especially containing phosphorus, plants develop a robust root system and can reach into the soil reserve earlier. Mineral nitrogen should be replenished evenly and regularly, as it does not stay in storage but is highly mobile. For a good start, a small amount of nitrogen is sufficient, followed by subsequent fertilisation. The potassium reserve in the soil is more stable, mainly thanks to its accumulation in biomass and subsequent return to the soil when incorporating post-harvest residues. Complications may arise in clayey soils or with crops with high potassium demands.

Strip tillage has many advantages in terms of plant nutrition, one of which is retaining recycled nutrients on the soil surface and gradually returning them in the form of organic residues left on the surface. When preparing the soil in autumn, nutrients have time to be incorporated into the soil’s absorbing complex and are available to spring crops at the time of sowing. It is important to note that for some deep-rooted spring crops, nutrients are needed both for the start and within the soil profile. In spring, strip tillage is used, for example, when planting corn after rye harvested for silage. In this case, it is beneficial to utilize the option of applying manure together with strip tillage to adjust the C:N ratio and accelerate the mineralization of organic matter.

The use of STRIP-MASTER represents a combination of strip tillage with the incorporation of granular or liquid fertilisers to a depth of 5–30 cm during one working operation, saving time and soil from repeated passes. The STRIP-MASTER allows fertiliser to be incorporated into two selected depths. It allows for the incorporation of both reserve fertiliser deeper into the soil profile and starter fertiliser. Besides erosion control measures, this technology also maintains nutrients on the soil surface, ensuring easy access for plants to the required nutrients. At the same time, it provides gradual recycling of nutrients from organic residues and minimizes losses.

It is important to resume fertilisation early in spring as soon as weather and soil conditions permit. Granular fertilisers, primarily nitrogen (LAV, LAD, urea, stabilized nitrogen), should be divided into several applications due to their high mobility in the soil to prevent losses by leaching or evaporation in warmer months, allowing plants to process them gradually. In the tillering stage of wheat, a liquid form of nitrogen (DAM 390) or nitrogen with sulphur (SAM) can be applied. The fertiliser is applied to the soil, eliminating concerns about plant burning.

In recent years, foliar nutrition or plant biostimulation has become increasingly popular, and it needs to be tailored to each crop and weather conditions. Each crop has different requirements for macro and micro-nutrients. The optimal solution is to adjust foliar nutrition to the crop and its current status based on leaf analyses (ARR) in specific growth stages.

With our inter-row cultivators, ROW-MASTER RN and ROW-MASTER RN_PROFI, it is possible to perform two operations in a single pass, combining soil fertilisation with solid and liquid fertilisers with inter-row cultivation. Inter-row cultivation is necessary primarily to remove weeds or soil crust, which blocks air and water access. To reduce the risk of damaging plants during passes and to achieve a high output, the cultivator can be equipped with the self-guiding CultiCam system.

Correct and uniform plant nutrition demonstrably increases yield and overall crop resilience against further adverse conditions, such as prolonged dry periods. Using strip and inter-row cultivators, it is possible to protect the soil from drying out and to help retain moisture, thereby increasing nutrient uptake by plants. Take a look at how our STRIP-MASTER and ROW-MASTER cultivators can be equipped in our open configurator.

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