Wheat nutrient requirements

Wheat nutrient requirements vary depending on the crop growth stage. Find out which nutrients are most important at different growth stages.

Roles of nutrients at different growth stages

wheat growth stages

Establishment

  • Nitrogen for early rapid growth.
  • Phosphate to supply the energy for early growth and development, especially root mass.

 wheat growth stages

Tillering

  • Nitrogen for leaf development and size, increasing tiller number per plant.
  • Manganese for its role in the structure of photosynthetic proteins and enzymes.

 wheat

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.

wheat

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.