Spring sowing cereal from the word editorial. The meaning of the word spring in the explanatory dictionary of the Russian language by Ushakov. Pre-plant tillage
Wheat is one of the main food crops in the world. This cereal has been cultivated since ancient times and is now distributed almost throughout the globe. This material discusses the biological properties of spring wheat, as well as characteristics its cultivation.
Description
This crop belongs to the Cereals family and the Wheat genus. This is an annual herbaceous plant, reaching one and a half meters in height. The inflorescence is a spike, the length of which can reach 15 cm. The grains vary - depending on the species, they can be short, elongated, ribbed, round, vitreous, mealy. They are rich in protein (up to 24%) and gluten (up to 40%).
It is believed that cultivated wheat appeared on the territory of modern Turkey, in its southeastern part. It is currently cultivated in Europe, the Middle East, Central and South Asia, the Far East, many regions of Africa, North and South America, Australia. 
Peculiarities
Spring wheat is sown in the spring, during the summer months it goes through a full development cycle, and harvested at the end of summer or autumn. Besides, given form wheat has a number of features that distinguish it from the winter form:
- it is a self-pollinating plant;
- the root system is not too developed, spring varieties need nutrients more and tolerate acidic soils worse;
- characterized by slow development;
- suffers from weeds more than winter;
- it is a fairly cold-resistant crop that can tolerate short-term frosts, while soft varieties are more resistant to cold than hard ones;
- drought tolerant, especially firm, drought tolerance increases with moisture in the soil;
- the optimal temperature for ripening is considered to be in the range of + 22 ° С ... + 25 ° С;
- compared to the winter form, it is more demanding on the quality of the soil; chernozem and chestnut soils are considered the most suitable for it;
- its seedlings are more vulnerable to external factors compared to the winter form - to pests, diseases, insufficient moisture, to excessively rapid drying of the topsoil;
- leguminous crops are considered the best predecessors.
Kinds
All varieties of spring wheat are divided into two groups - hard and soft. These groups differ significantly from each other. Consider their features. 
solid
For the growth of hard spring wheat, the continental climate is optimal, that is, with a relatively short, but hot and dry summer - these are, for example, such regions as the Orenburg region, Altai or Northern Kazakhstan. Hard varieties are more sensitive to soil drought than soft varieties, but tolerate atmospheric drought much better.
Did you know? In the European Union, durum wheat is the only agricultural product whose export is subject to a duty.
Their yield is lower than that of soft varieties. Hard grains are particularly rich in gluten and protein. Flour from such grain is used for the production of cereals, high-quality pasta, in addition, it is mixed into flour for bread to improve its quality. 
Many spring hard varieties have been bred. The selection of a variety for sowing depends on local climatic conditions, on the predecessor, and can be selected for a specific agricultural technology. Here are just a few common varieties:
Soft
Soft spring wheat is preferred to grow in regions with guaranteed moisture, because it does not tolerate atmospheric drought. It is less demanding on soil fertility and less sensitive to weeds.
Its grain contains less gluten, the consistency of the flour is thinner and more crumbly compared to durum wheat flour. Such flour is used for confectionery, as well as bakery products. In the production of bread, flour from soft varieties is usually mixed with flour from hard varieties, otherwise the bread quickly becomes stale and crumbles. 
Varieties of soft spring wheat exist great amount, they are adapted to a wide variety of climatic conditions and soils. Some of them are listed below:
cultivation
The process of growing spring wheat is quite laborious. The technology of its cultivation provides for a strict adherence certain rules, as well as high technological discipline.
Pre-plant tillage
It is recommended to cultivate the soil for spring wheat immediately after harvesting the predecessor. The procedure is carried out in two stages: autumn (autumn) and pre-sowing (spring). If the previous plant was perennial grasses, in the process of autumn cultivation, the soil is first disked, and after 14 days, moldboard plowing.
In the case of other predecessors, such as winter crops and legumes, tillage may be the same, but in areas subject to erosion, moldboard plowing is replaced by no moldboard. 
Pre-sowing preparation begins with harrowing - this prevents excessive evaporation of soil moisture and helps to warm the soil. This process is called “moisture closure”. Then the soil is cultivated to a depth of 10 cm.
Important! Specific agricultural practices depend on the predecessors, the condition of the soil, the presence of slopes, the presence or absence of this or that agricultural equipment.
Sowing
For this procedure, the preparation of seeds, the timing and depth of sowing, as well as the method of sowing, are important. Let's take a closer look at these components. 
Seed preparation
AT without fail the procedure for disinfecting seeds with the help of treaters is carried out. For this, drugs such as Vitavax, Fundazol are used. In addition, it is highly desirable to heat the seeds before sowing. They do it on outdoors under straight lines sunbeams for 3-4 days or in a dryer with active ventilation for 2-3 hours at a temperature of about +50°C.
Important! Too late sowing of spring wheat leads to a drop in its yield by at least a quarter.
Sowing dates
Sowing dates depend on the climatic features of the region. For example, in Western and Eastern Siberia it is about May 15-25, in most regions of European Russia it is mid-late April. In any case, the sowing of spring crops begins immediately after the soil has matured. 
Seeding depth
This parameter depends on the type of soil. For light soils, the sowing depth averages 6 cm, in the steppe it can increase to 9 cm, for heavy soils it decreases to 3-4 cm.
Seeding methods
The choice of sowing method depends on local characteristics. The narrow-row method is the most common, although it increases the seeding rate, but also increases the yield by 2-3 q/ha. Often used ordinary and tape methods. The cross method is practically not used due to the delay in sowing, excessive consumption of fuel and excessive compaction of the soil when using it.
Care
In arid regions, rolling the soil after sowing is practiced. To do this, rollers of various designs are used, which crush lumps and somewhat level the surface of the field. When a soil crust forms after rains, harrowing is used to destroy it. 
An important component of crop care is the fight against weeds, because the yield of this crop suffers greatly because of them. The greatest efficiency is achieved when this struggle is carried out taking into account the species composition of weeds, their numbers, and the characteristics of the local climate.
Depending on these factors, general herbicides (“Hurricane”, “Roundup”), preparations against wheatgrass and dioecious weeds (“Attribute”), against annual dicotyledons (2.4 D and 2M-4X), etc. can be used.
When pests appear, after their number exceeds the threshold of harmfulness, crops are treated with insecticides. For this, drugs such as Decis, Decis-extra, Sumi-alpha, etc. are used. 
For spring wheat, diseases such as septoria and fusariosis of the ear are the most dangerous, and others may occur. They fight them with fungicides - it can be, for example, "Rex duo", "Karbezim" or "Tilt".
Sometimes spring wheat is cultivated under irrigation. Most often this is practiced when growing hard varieties. Irrigation mode is selected depending on weather conditions and soil quality. Irrigation, combined with the correct application of fertilizers, can significantly increase crop yields.
Treatment
Since spring wheat is demanding on soil fertility, fertilizers are widely used in its cultivation. Nitrogen fertilizers are mainly used in combination with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Their number varies greatly for different regions - it may depend on the soil, variety, climate, predecessors.
On average, 35-45 kg of nitrogen, 17-27 kg of potassium, 8-12 kg of phosphorus are consumed per ton of grain and a ton of straw. In addition, organic fertilizers are also used: manure, compost, peat. They are introduced in the fall, during autumn tillage. In the same period, ammonia forms of nitrogen fertilizers are also introduced: ammonia water, anhydrous ammonia, etc. 
Diseases and pests
As mentioned above, of the diseases for this crop, septoria and fusariosis of the ear are the most dangerous. It is less susceptible to powdery mildew, brown and stem rust, snow mold, and root rot. To combat them, various fungicides are used (you can read about them in the "Care" section).
Of the pests, harmful turtles, bread beetles, grain scoops, thrips, Swedish and Hessian flies, etc. can cause serious damage to crops. Insecticides are used against them: Decis, Decis-extra, Sumi-alpha and others.
Yield and harvest
Yield indicators are highly dependent on weather conditions, climate, soil and seed quality, wheat variety, careful observance of agricultural practices throughout the entire cultivation cycle of this crop.
Did you know? In terms of sown area (approximately 215 million hectares), wheat confidently holds the first place in the world. At the same time, approximately 90% of the world's crops are soft varieties. The leaders in growing this crop are China, India, Russia, the USA and France.
For example, the average yield of the soft variety "Daria" is 30-35 c/ha, and the maximum is 72 c/ha. The average yield of durum wheat "Bezenchukskaya steppe" is 17-22 centners per hectare, the maximum yield is 38 centners per hectare. 
It is important to start harvesting in a timely manner, since overstaying for 10-12 days reduces the yield and significantly reduces the quality of the grain. When harvesting, both direct combining and separate methods can be used. The essence of the separate method is that the headers mow the stalk, and the wheat is collected in windrows.
In the windrows, it dries up and ripens for several days, then the harvester removes the windrows. If the weather is unstable, direct combining is used - with this method, grain losses are reduced, but its weediness increases. 
After harvesting, the grain is subjected to current processing: cleaning and drying. For this, various grain cleaning and grain drying complexes are used. In some cases, drying is not required, then they are limited to grain cleaning.
Spring grain crops in the Republic of Belarus are spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. sensu lato), spring wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori et Paol), spring triticale ( x Triticosecale Wittm.) and oats ( Avena sativa L.).
The area of cultivation of spring barley in 2010 was 00.0 thousand ha, spring wheat - 00.0, spring triticale - 00.0, oats - 00.0 thousand ha with an average yield of 00.0, 00.0, respectively, 00.0 and 00.0 q/ha.
The economic significance of spring wheat, spring triticale and spring barley is similar to their winter forms.
Oats are widely used as a fodder crop when sown in pure form, as well as mixed with annual legumes for grain, green mass, silage and hay. Oat grain is a good concentrated feed for farm animals. It is rich in protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, which have a positive value in assessing its nutritional value. Oat protein contains valuable essential amino acids lysine and tryptophan. Oat straw in terms of its fodder qualities is not much inferior to meadow hay of medium quality. Oat grain is widely used for the production food products- oatmeal various kinds, oatmeal, flour and oatmeal. In terms of nutritional value and calorie content, oatmeal is superior to buckwheat, semolina and millet, and in terms of absorption by the body it has no equal, so oat products are successfully used in dietary and baby food. On average, an oat grain has 9.0–19.5% protein, 21–55% starch, 2–11% fat, 2.9–5.7% minerals and vitamins. The quality of oat grain is assessed depending on the intended purpose (food, for processing into malt in alcohol production, for feed purposes and for processing into animal feed).
Morphological features. Spring crops belong to the bluegrass family ( Poaceae) or Cereals ( Gramineae) and are morphologically similar to their winter forms.
Spring cereals have a well-developed fibrous root. The stem is a straw. The leaves are linear, consisting of a leaf blade, sheath and uvula. In spring wheat, barley and triticale, the inflorescence is an ear, in oats it is a panicle, which consists of nodes and internodes, lateral branches depart from the corners; the fruit of all spring cereals is a grain.
biological features. oats- a plant of a long day with a vegetative period of 85–115 days. Oat seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of +2–3ºС and seedlings appear in 18–24 days. As the temperature rises, seedling emergence accelerates. So, at a soil temperature of +10ºС, the seeds germinate 8–10 days after sowing. The most favorable temperature for the growth and development of oats during the formation of vegetative organs is +10–15ºС, during panicle formation – +16–22ºС, during grain pouring and ripening – +18–25ºС. Compared to other spring oats, oats can be classified as moisture-loving crops. The need for water varies with the phases of development. During germination, oat seeds require water in an amount of 60% of their own weight. During the period of tillering and growth of the stem, the plants are most sensitive to the lack of moisture in the soil and air. The critical period in relation to moisture in oats coincides with the moment of formation of the reproductive organs and the most intensive accumulation of the green mass of plants.
Barley- Among grain crops, it is the most early-ripening crop. Its grain germinates at a temperature of +2–4ºС, but the optimum temperature for germination is +6–12ºС. Barley tolerates high temperatures in the grain filling phase better than oats and wheat. Seed germination requires 48–50% water by weight of seeds. The transpiration coefficient of barley is about 310–520. The critical period of moisture demand falls at the end of the tube entry phase - the beginning of heading.
Spring wheat- a fairly demanding crop. Seeds can germinate at a temperature of +1–2ºС, and viable seedlings appear at +4–5ºС. The sum of active temperatures for the period of shoots - heading is 800-900ºС. Seedlings can tolerate short frosts. Seed germination requires 50–60% water by weight of dry grain. The transpiration coefficient is approximately 415. The tillering and booting periods are critical for spring wheat in relation to moisture. The most favorable soil moisture for plants is in the range of 70–75% of the field moisture capacity.
Soil Requirements. For the cultivation of spring wheat and fodder barley in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus, the most suitable are sod-calcareous, sod-podzolic, light and medium loamy, sandy loam soils on cohesive rocks, as well as peat-bog soils of lowland type. Spring triticale and oats can also be cultivated on light-textured soils. Cultivation of malting barley requires cultivated soddy-podzolic soils of coherent granulometric composition. Recommended parameters of agrochemical indicators of soil fertility of mineral soils for spring wheat: pH KCl - not less than 5.8, humus content - not less than 1.8%, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium - not less than 145 mg/kg of soil; for spring barley: pH KCl - 5.6–6.0 and higher, humus content - not less than 1.8%, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium - not less than 150 mg/kg of soil; for spring triticale: pH KCl - 5.5–6.5, humus content - at least 1.6%, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium - at least 150 mg / kg of soil; for oats: pH KCl - 5.6–6.0, humus content - not less than 1.6%, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium - not less than 150 mg/kg of soil.
Predecessor and. The best predecessors for spring crops are legumes, tilled and cruciferous crops, as well as annual and perennial legumes. For oats, winter cereals, buckwheat and grasses can be acceptable predecessors.
Basic and pre-sowing tillage for spring crops depends on the type and granulometric composition of the soil, as well as on the predecessor.
The main tillage for spring crops is carried out in autumn after harvesting the previous crop. Technological operations of the main tillage, depending on the predecessor, are described in the description of winter crops.
Spring tillage consists of early spring cultivation to cover moisture to a depth of 8–10 cm (KPSh-8, KPZ-9.7, KPS-4, etc.), cultivation for incorporation mineral fertilizers to a depth of 6–8 cm, pre-sowing treatment with combined tillage units to a depth of 5–7 cm, which can be combined with sowing.
Application of fertilizers. Direct application of organic fertilizers for spring crops is not carried out.
The entire planned dose of phosphate and potash fertilizers is applied before sowing (Appendix). In the presence of specially equipped seeders 20–30 kg/ha a.i. phosphorus should be introduced into the rows during sowing.
The recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizers for pre-sowing cultivation on mineral soils for spring wheat, fodder barley, spring triticale and oats is on average 80 kg/ha a.i. in the form of UAN, urea (urea) or ammonium sulfate. Along with simple forms mineral fertilizers for pre-sowing cultivation, it is recommended to use complex fertilizer 16:12:20 (300 kg of AFC corresponds to N 80 P 60 K 100). For malting barley, the pre-sowing dose of nitrogen does not usually exceed 60 kg/ha of a.i.
At the stage of the 1st node, the crops of spring wheat, fodder barley, spring triticale and oats on mineral soils are fertilized with nitrogen at a dose of 20–40 kg/ha of a.i. For top dressing, slow-acting urea (urea with humates) is used. When using UAN, the nitrogen dose should not exceed 30 kg/ha of a.i. with obligatory dilution with water 1:4 due to possible plant burns. UAN treatments should be carried out only in the evening.
On low-lying peat-bog soils with a peat layer depth of at least 50 cm, when cultivating spring wheat, N 20-30 is applied in the spring for pre-sowing cultivation (main application) and N 10-15 - at the heading stage (foliar top dressing); when cultivating spring triticale and fodder barley - N 20-40 in spring for pre-sowing cultivation. On thin and degraded peat-bog soils, a system of fertilizing spring cereals is used for mineral soils similar in granulometric composition.
At the stage of the 1st or 2nd node on spring crops, foliar fertilizing is carried out with copper sulfate (200–300 g/ha according to the preparation) and manganese sulfate (220–330 g/ha according to the preparation on soils with a pH of more than 6.0 ) in the composition of the tank mixture (the first unit - with chlormequat chloride, the second unit - with terpal C). Trace elements are dissolved in a separate container and only then poured into the sprayer. On highly productive crops of spring grain crops, along with simple forms, complex microfertilizers can be used. In the stage of the 1st or 2nd node, spring grain crops can also be treated with growth regulators of stimulating and retardant action.
On crops of spring wheat at the beginning of heading, late nitrogen fertilization is carried out with a 5–8% solution of urea (N 15-20). Ammonium sulfate can be added to the solution (5-10 kg/ha in physical weight). Ammonium sulphate contains sulfur which increases the protein content.
Variety selection. The State Register of Varieties and Tree and Shrub Species in the Republic of Belarus for 2010 includes 17 varieties of spring wheat, 7 varieties of spring triticale, 29 varieties of spring barley, 15 varieties of oats.
The List of varieties included in the State Register of Protected Plant Varieties includes 8 varieties of spring wheat, 18 varieties of spring barley, 3 varieties of spring triticale and 5 varieties of oats.
Taking into account the soil and climatic conditions and the capabilities of the farms, in order to ensure harvesting at the optimal time without reducing the quality of the grain, it is necessary to cultivate varieties that differ in the length of the growing season.
According to the degree of increasing demands on the level of intensification of cultivation technology, Belarusian varieties of spring wheat are arranged in the following order: Rostan, Rassvet, Toma, Viza, Daria, which must be taken into account when choosing a variety and placing it in crop rotation fields.
When choosing an oat variety, it should be taken into account that, along with filmy varieties (Fax, Zolak, Zapavet, Yubilyar, Chakal, Bagach, etc.), there are naked varieties (Vandrounik, Gosha, Krepysh).
When cultivating spring barley for the brewing industry, only varieties for brewing use should be cultivated (Syabra, Gascinets, Staly, Thaler, Ataman, Thuringia, Antyago, Silfid, Fonteyn, Philadelphia, Brovar). For fodder purposes, forage varieties are cultivated (Yakub, Atol, Burshtyn, Dzivosny, etc.).
Preparation for sowing and sowing. An important element of the technology of cultivation of spring grain crops is seed dressing. The protectant protects seeds, seedlings and seedlings from seed, as well as partially soil and aerogenic infections. This is the first and one of milestones in the formation of the optimal phytopathological state of sowing, which determines the development of many plant diseases.
Seed dressings are treated with Vitavax 200 FF, 34% VSK (2.5 l/t), Kinto Duo, TK (2.5 l/t) and other preparations included in the State Register of Plant Protection Products, incl. h. insecticidal disinfectants against wireworms.
Effective disinfection of seeds is achieved by applying dressing with encrustation. In addition to the dressing agent, the inlay composition includes one of the adhesives (NaCMC - 0.2 kg / t, PVA - 0.5 l / t, M-3 - 80 g / t), growth regulators (hydrohumate and oxyhumate - 0.2–0 .5 l/t, quartazine - 25 g/t, etc.), microelements.
Spring grain crops are early sowing crops. On mineral soils, it begins from the moment of drying of the upper (0–10 cm) soil layer to a soft-plastic state and stable heating at a depth of 10 cm to +5ºС. On peat-bog soils, spring cereals are recommended to be sown when the soil is thawed by 10–12 cm.
Sowings sown at optimally early dates are less damaged by pests, more competitive in the fight against weeds and use nutrients better.
In the southern regions of Belarus, the optimal time for sowing spring wheat usually occurs from April 10 to 20, in the central and northwestern regions - from April 15 to 25, in the northeastern regions - from April 25 to May 5. The seeding rate on mineral soils is 5.0–5.5 million germinating seeds per hectare, on peat-bog soils – 3.5–4.0 million/ha.
The seeding rate for filmy varieties of oats on soddy-podzolic soils is 4.5–5.5 million/ha, for naked soils – 5.5–6.0 million/ha of germinating seeds.
The optimal seeding rate of spring barley on loamy and sandy loamy soils on cohesive rocks is 4.0–4.5 million/ha; on sandy and sandy loam - 4.5-5.0, on peat-bog - 3.0-3.5 million germinating grains per hectare.
The seeding rate of spring triticale on soddy-podzolic soils is 5.0–5.5 million/ha of germinating grains.
The recommended sowing depth for spring grain crops on light soils is 4–5 cm, on loamy soils 3–4 cm, on heavy soils– 2–3 cm. The sowing method is a continuous row with a row spacing of 7.5, 12.5 or 15 cm, leaving a constant tramline.
Crop care. The main measures for the care of spring crops are the integrated protection of crops from weeds, pests and diseases; nitrogen supplements; foliar treatments with microelements and growth regulators.
Doses and types of pesticides, as well as the timing of their application are selected individually for each specific field in accordance with the "State Register of Plant Protection Products". The feasibility of using pesticides depends on the specific phytosanitary situation in the fields, as well as the level of the planned yield.
To control weeds, 3–5 days after sowing, pre-emergence harrowing of crops with medium harrows is carried out.
Herbicidal protection against weeds is carried out, as a rule, in the tillering phase of spring crops, incl. in the form of tank mixtures of herbicides with nitrogen fertilizers. When using tank mixes, the consumption rates of individual herbicides are used at minimum or reduced by 20–30%. Of the nitrogen fertilizers, UAN and carbamide are most often used, because. they dissolve well and quickly.
When spring grain pests appear on crops that exceed the threshold of harmfulness, insecticide treatments are carried out.
If there are signs of one or a complex of diseases (leaf and ear septoria, powdery mildew, ear fusarium, leaf rust, etc.) on the 2nd leaf from the top in 50% of plants or the threshold of damage (1–5%) and favorable weather conditions for further growth, treatment of plants with fungicides is necessary.
Grain harvesting and processing spring crops is carried out in accordance with similar regulations for winter crops.
Cereal crops
In the Republic of Belarus, the main cereal crops are buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.), the cultivated areas of which in 2010 amounted to 00.0 and 00.0 thousand ha with a grain yield of 00.0 and 00.0 q/ha.
In the world, rice also belongs to the most important cereal crops ( Oryza sativa L.), sorghum ( Sorghum L.), corn ( Zea mays L.), chumiza ( Setaria italica subsp. italica (L.) P. beauv).
Buckwheat is one of the most important cereal crops. Buckwheat flour has high palatability, is very nutritious and well digestible. Proteins of buckwheat are not inferior in quality to proteins of leguminous crops. The ash substances of cereals (up to 2%) contain many compounds of phosphorus, calcium, copper that are useful for humans, as well as organic acids (citric, malic, oxalic), which improve digestion. It contains a lot of vitamins B 1, P (rutin) and B 2. Buckwheat fat refers to non-drying oils. Buckwheat can be stored for a long time without reducing its nutritional value.
From the leaves and flowers of buckwheat, the drug rutin is obtained for the treatment of sclerosis, hypertension and the removal of radioactive substances from the body. Buckwheat is one of the best dietary products.
Buckwheat flour is used for baking pancakes, cakes, and in the confectionery industry - for making cookies.
Waste from grain hulling is used to feed livestock. The green mass of buckwheat obtained in stubble crops can be used for ensiling. After grinding, buckwheat straw is plowed under the subsequent crop rotation, which contributes to the activation of microbiological processes in the soil and helps in the fight against root rot.
Buckwheat is also a valuable honey plant; honey harvest from its sowing reaches 105 kg/ha.
As an insurance crop, buckwheat can be used to reseed dead winter and early spring crops. Buckwheat can also be used as green manure, because. it improves physical and Chemical properties soil, leaves in the arable horizon from 20 to 40 c/ha of root and stubble residues with the content of nutrients in an easily accessible form.
Buckwheat is considered a biological orderly. It reduces the incidence of root rot in crops and is a good precursor for many crops.
Morphological features. Buckwheat belongs to the Buckwheat family ( Polygonaceae) and is represented by several species. AT working conditions cultivated buckwheat (common).
Common buckwheat is an annual herbaceous plant with a hollow, ribbed and branching (up to 10–12 branches) stem from 50 to 120 cm high, and in some cases up to 2.5 m.
The root system is taproot, consists of an embryonic root and secondary roots, penetrates the soil to a depth of 1 m. The bulk of the roots lies at a depth of up to 30 cm, the roots are poorly developed. Buckwheat roots secrete formic, acetic, citric, oxalic acids, which contributes to the absorption of sparingly soluble nutrients from the soil.
The buckwheat stem is bare, articulated at the nodes, hollow, slightly ribbed, consisting of 5–15 internodes 40–150 cm high. The buckwheat stem is divided into three parts: the lower, or hypocotyl knee, giving stem roots; the middle, or branching zone, from which branches of the upper order depart; the upper, or fruiting zone, bearing the generative organs.
The leaves are petiolate, heart-shaped-triangular, but to the top of the stem and branches they turn into sessile, arrow-shaped.
Buckwheat flowers are bisexual, collected in inflorescences (scutellum or axillary brushes) with a strong smell that attracts insects.
The fruit is a trihedral nutlet of gray, brown or black color. The weight of 1000 seeds is 20–30 g, film content is 18–30%.
During the growing season, buckwheat goes through seven main phenological phases (germination, shoots, branching, budding, flowering, fruit formation, ripening).
Biological features of buckwheat. Buckwheat has a relatively short growing season. Buckwheat varieties released over the past 15 years have a growing season of 85 to 110 days. Its seeds germinate in moist soil at a temperature of + 7–8ºС, friendly seedlings appear at an air temperature above + 15ºС. The optimal soil moisture for buckwheat is at 70–75% of the lowest moisture capacity. Buckwheat is sensitive to frost. At temperatures above + 25ºС, it also grows poorly. Buckwheat is demanding on moisture, especially during the flowering period - fruit filling.
Soil requirements. The most suitable for growing buckwheat are well-aerated and quickly warmed loose and cohesive sandy, as well as light loamy soils with a soil solution pH KCl of 5.5–6.0, the content of mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium is not less than 150 mg/kg of soil, humus - not less than 1.5%.
predecessors. The best predecessors for buckwheat in crop rotations on soddy-podzolic sandy loamy and light loamy soils are tilled crops and leguminous crops; good - winter cereals. It is not recommended to cultivate buckwheat after oats, the crop residues of which have a negative effect on the development of the buckwheat root system.
The main and pre-sowing tillage for buckwheat depends on the soil and the predecessor and is similar to the tillage for spring crops. A mandatory method on soils of light granulometric composition is rolling after sowing. Smooth, ribbed, ring-toothed and ring-spur rollers are used.
Application of fertilizers. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potash fertilizers in the cultivation of buckwheat are applied before sowing (appendix). The recommended dose of nitrogen is no more than 80 kg/ha of a.i. (45–60 kg/ha for medium and late ripening varieties and 60–80 kg/ha for early ripening varieties). The best form of nitrogen fertilizer is ammonium sulfate. Instead of potassium chloride under buckwheat, it is more expedient to add potassium sulfate, which does not contain chlorine. In the absence of potassium sulfate, potassium chloride on cohesive soils is applied in the fall. Positive results The productivity of buckwheat is also affected by the chlorine-free phosphorus-potassium fertilizer Kalifos, grade 12-23, produced at the Gomel Chemical Plant. At the budding stage, buckwheat crops are treated with boric acid (300 g/ha) and manganese sulfate (220 g/ha on soils with a pH of more than 6.0), previously dissolved in a separate container.
Variety selection. For sowing, early-ripening, mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties of buckwheat are used. The State Register of Varieties and Tree and Shrub Species in the Republic of Belarus for 2010 includes 13 diploid and tetraploid varieties of buckwheat (Anita Belorusskaya, Svityazyanka, Zhnyarka, Dozhdik, Smuglyanka, Iliya, Dikul, Lena, Karmen, Aleksandrina, Vlad, Marta, Sapphire ).
Preparation for sowing and sowing. Buckwheat seeds in terms of germination and purity must comply with the first class of the sowing standard. The weight of 1000 seeds in diploid varieties is not less than 25 g, in tetraploid varieties - 35 g. It is desirable to calibrate the seeds and sow the large fraction separately. A useful technique is air-thermal heating of seeds in the sun (15–20 days) and in dryers in order to increase seed germination.
Before sowing, the seeds are treated with one of the preparations included in the State Register of Plant Protection Products (TMTD, 80% w.p. (2.0–2.5 kg/t), etc.). Simultaneously with dressing, the seeds are treated with microelements. No more than two deficient trace elements are added to the solution according to the cartogram: boric acid - 100 g / t, ammonium molybdate - 600 g / t, copper sulfate - 1 kg / t, zinc sulfate - 300 g / t, manganese sulfate - 250 g / t . Seed treatment with microelements is carried out provided that their content in the soil is less than: boron - 0.4 mg / kg, manganese - 30.0 mg / kg, copper - 1.5 mg / kg, zinc - 1.0 mg / kg of soil . Together with protectants and microelements in order to increase field germination and resistance of crops to unfavorable factors external environment growth regulators are also used: maltamine, hydrohumate, phenomelan at a dose of 0.2–0.4 l / t.
For the Republic of Belarus, the optimal time for sowing buckwheat occurs when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm is set from +8 to +10ºС, air - from +10 to +13ºС. As a rule, sowing of tetraploid varieties is carried out until the end of the second decade of May; diploid determinant varieties are sown until the end of the third decade of May, and varieties of the traditional morphotype - until the end of the first decade of June.
The method of sowing depends on the variety, the cultivation of the soil and the purpose of use. Wide-row crops with a row spacing of 45–60 cm are effective for seed production, especially tetraploid varieties on well-cultivated soils with a low level of infestation, if there is equipment for inter-row cultivation.
A continuous row sowing method with row spacing of 12–15 cm is used at early sowing dates, especially for diploid varieties of the traditional morphotype.
The seeding rate of tetraploid varieties with row sowing is 2.0–3.0 million/ha, with wide-row sowing – 1.0–1.5 million/ha; diploid varieties with row sowing - 2.5-3.0 million/ha, with wide-row sowing - 1.5-2.0 million/ha of germinating seeds.
The seeding depth of tetraploid varieties is 4–5 cm, diploid varieties is 3–4 cm. When sowing in dry soil, the seeding depth is increased by 2 cm.
Crop care. On buckwheat crops, pre-emergence and post-emergence harrowing are effective methods. Pre-emergence harrowing is carried out when the soil crust is formed until a loop appears on the soil surface. Postemergence harrowing is carried out in the phase of the first true leaf of buckwheat.
On buckwheat fields sown in a wide-row way, inter-row treatments are necessarily carried out: the first treatment in the phase of the second true leaf with units with razor paws to a depth of 5-6 cm with a protective zone of 8-10 cm; the second treatment in the budding phase before flowering by aggregates with lancet paws to a depth of 5–7 cm (dry year) and 10–12 cm (wet year).
In order to increase resilience to adverse weather conditions stimulating plant growth regulators are introduced into the budding phase: maltamine - 2 l / ha, hydrohumate - 2.0 l / ha, phenomelan (guarantor) - 2.0 l / ha, etc.
Chemical protection of buckwheat crops from weeds should begin in the fall, as soon as the fields for its cultivation are selected. An obligatory method of combating perennial weeds is the treatment of fields after harvesting the predecessors with continuous herbicides: roundup, glyphos, belfosat, etc.
An effective technique on buckwheat is the use of soil herbicide gezagard (1.5 l/ha) or a tank mixture of soil herbicide gezagard (0.7 l/ha) and contact herbicide dezormon (0.35 l/ha) after sowing until emergence of crops.
To prevent damage to buckwheat crops by meadow moths or scoops, it is possible to use insecticides (metafos, ke, 400 g/l (0.5–1.0 l/ha), etc.).
Harvest and refinement of the crop. The biological characteristics of buckwheat require a special way to determine the timing and methods of harvesting. These features are as follows: uneven and extended seed ripening on one plant and on the field as a whole, a tendency to strong shattering of ripened seeds, a large difference in the level of seed moisture and vegetative mass when full ripeness occurs, the ability of completed, but not ripened seeds to ripen in rolls.
The protracted and uneven ripening of buckwheat leads to the fact that the same plant has ripe seeds, green seeds and flowers. In order to prevent losses of buckwheat grain, it is necessary to start harvesting without waiting for full ripening.
Buckwheat is harvested by direct and separate methods. With direct combining, the harvesting period is the browning of fruits in 90% of plants. With a separate method of harvesting, mowing into rolls begins when 75-80% of the fruits on the plant turn brown. Cut height - 15-20 cm. Harvesting time - no more than 4-5 days. Rolls are mowed in the morning and evening hours, when the grain is less crumbled. Curing of rolls from 3 to 4 days, selection and threshing - at a grain moisture content of 18% or less, stems and leaves - 30-35%. Buckwheat is harvested with grain harvesters. Finalization and storage of grain - in accordance with the regulations given when considering winter crops.
Millet- a valuable cereal, grain fodder and fodder crop. In terms of nutritional value, green mass is not inferior to corn, annual and perennial grasses. Millet uses soil moisture better than other grain crops, suffers less from drought, pests and diseases.
Early maturation, wide range of sowing terms, duration of seed storage makes it possible to use it as an excellent insurance crop in case of death of winter or early spring crops. Millet is a good component for late sowing, including mixed with annuals legumes, especially spring vetch. In summer crops, millet is a good cover crop for perennial grasses.
Millet groats - millet, are highly nutritious. Millet contains up to 12% protein, 80% starch, 5.5% fat, 0.15% sugar and gives a large weld - up to 25-30% and is well boiled.
Grain and waste obtained during the processing of millet for groats are used as feed for livestock and poultry. Straw and chaff have high fodder value. In some areas, millet is cultivated for green fodder and hay.
Morphological features. Millet belongs to the polymorphic genus Panicum bluegrass family ( Poaceae), which combines over 400 species. The most common species is the common millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.).
The root system is fibrous. The power of the roots is determined not so much by the depth of occurrence (up to 105 cm), but by their distribution in width (up to 115 cm) and the number of root shoots (up to 120 pieces).
The stalk of millet 75–100 cm high is pubescent along the entire length with soft hairs. It forms shoots from the tillering node (tillering) and from above-ground stem nodes (branching). Up to five shoots are formed on one plant, and up to 20 shoots with large feeding areas. This ability of millet is used for wide-row and stubble crops.
The leaves of millet have a long (up to 65 cm) lanceolate, rather wide pubescent blade.
The inflorescence is collected in a panicle. At the ends of the panicle branches, on each of its branches one spikelet sits. Spikelets are two-colored, but one upper flower develops predominantly. The flowers are bisexual, have three stamens and an ovary with two pinnate stigmas. Millet belongs to facultative pollinators - cross-pollination is 20%.
The grain of millet is small, spherical or oval, slightly squeezed from the back. The mass of 1000 seeds of millet varies from 3 to 11 g. The color of the grain is dark or light yellow, white, cream, red, brown, gray and almost black.
biological features. Millet is a photophilous plant. This is a typical short day plant. The growing season of most of its varieties lasts 90–120 days.
Millet belongs to heat-loving crops. Seed germination begins at a temperature of +8–10°C, viable and friendly seedlings appear at +12–15°C in 5–7 days. The biologically optimal temperature at which the most vigorous seed germination takes place is +20–30°C. The sum of active temperatures during the vegetation period in millet is higher than in the first group of grains (1800–2100°C).
Millet tolerates high temperatures better than other breads. This is explained by the fact that its stomatal cells retain their regulatory ability even at a temperature of 38–40°C for 48 hours, while in winter wheat the paralysis of stomatal cells occurs already after 15–25 hours, and in oats after 4– 5 o'clock
Millet is less demanding on moisture than other breads. For germination of its seeds, only 25% of their mass is needed in water. The transpiration coefficient is 200–250. The root system has a high suction power and is able to extract moisture from the soil even when its content is close to one and a half hygroscopicity.
The drought resistance of millet is explained by the ability to temporarily stop growth, roll up the leaves and spread the aerial part on the ground, which reduces the evaporation of moisture.
Millet tolerates drought better in the period from germination to booting. The period from the end of tillering to the formation of grain is critical for millet in terms of moisture requirements.
Soil Requirements. The most suitable for millet are well-heated drained low-lying peatlands, as well as soddy-podzolic cohesive sandy loamy, light and medium loamy soils underlain by moraine loam. It is permissible to cultivate millet on soddy-podzolic loamy and sandy loamy soils underlain by sands. Optimal agrochemical indicators of mineral soils: pH - 6.0–7.5, humus content - not less than 1.6%, mobile compounds of phosphorus and potassium - not less than 150 mg/kg of soil.
Predecessors. The best predecessors for millet are annual clover, tilled and leguminous crops, buckwheat, flax, and winter cereals. It is not recommended to sow millet after spring crops.
The main and pre-sowing tillage for millet depends on the predecessor, type and granulometric composition of the soil and is similar to tillage for spring crops.
A mandatory method on soils of light granulometric composition is rolling after sowing.
Fertilization. The entire planned dose of phosphate and potash fertilizers is applied before sowing (Appendix). In the presence of specially equipped seeders 20–30 kg/ha a.i. phosphorus should be introduced into the rows during sowing. The recommended dose of nitrogen fertilizers for pre-sowing cultivation on mineral soils under millet is on average 80 kg/ha of a.i. in the form of UAN, urea (urea) or ammonium sulfate. Along with simple forms of mineral fertilizers, it is recommended to use complex fertilizer 16:12:20 (300 kg of AFC corresponds to N 80 P 60 K 100) for pre-sowing cultivation.
Feeding of millet at the panicle stage is recommended only for crops intended for green mass, where the total dose of nitrogen on average is at least 120 kg/ha of a.i. For millet crops planned for grain, the dose of nitrogen should not exceed N 90 . On peat-bog soils, N 20-40 is applied for pre-sowing cultivation under millet.
At the stage of panicle ejection on millet crops, foliar fertilizing with copper sulfate (200–300 g/ha according to the preparation) and manganese sulfate (220–330 g/ha according to the preparation) can be carried out on soils with a KCl pH of more than 6.0. Trace elements are dissolved in a separate container and only then poured into the sprayer.
Variety selection. The State Register of varieties and tree and shrub species in the Republic of Belarus for 2010 included 10 varieties of millet (Bystroe, Nadezhnoe, Volnoe, Galinka, Belorusskoe, Slavyanskoe, Mirskoe, Svitsyazyanskaya, Dneprovskoe, Gomelskoe). high quality Grain and cereals, according to the State Variety Test, are distinguished by four varieties: Bystroe, Galinka, Slavyanskoye, Svitsyazyanskaya).
Preparation for sowing and sowing. Since all varieties of millet cultivated in Belarus are not resistant to loose smut, seed treatment is mandatory. Dressing is carried out 2–3 months before sowing or before sowing with benomyl, 50% w.p. (2.0 l/t), fenoran-super, 70% w.p. (1.5–2.0 l/t) and other permitted disinfectants.
To increase field germination and increase yield, together with protectants, millet seeds can be treated with a hydrohumate growth regulator, 10% w.r. (0.2–0.5 l/t).
You can start sowing millet when the soil warms up at a sowing depth to +15°C. Millet for grain can be sown from the first decade of May to mid-June, for green mass - until the end of July.
Millet is sown in a continuous row or narrow row method with row spacing of 7.5, 12.5 and 15 cm. The depth of seed placement on heavy loams is 2-3 cm, on medium loams - 3-4 cm, on sandy loams - 4-5 cm, on peat-bog soils - 3-5 cm.
Crop care. After sowing, with an interval of no more than 1 day, post-sowing rolling is carried out with smooth-filled rollers, in unstable weather - with ring-spur rollers.
Pre-emergence harrowing is carried out 3–5 days after sowing, when the seeds that have hatched have small seedlings and the phase of “white threads” of weeds. Post-emergence harrowing is carried out, if necessary, with a strong contamination of crops in the phase of the beginning of tillering of plants. The fields are harrowed across rows or diagonally with light harrows.
Chemical plant protection measures during the growing season are carried out in case of an immediate threat of crop loss. To control weeds in the tillering phase before panicle emergence, lintur, VDG (0.12–0.18 l/ha), bazagran 480 g/l w.c. are used. (0.7–1.2 l/ha) and other herbicides according to " State Register plant protection products.
There is a group of early (wheat, barley, oats, triticale) and late (millet, buckwheat, sorghum, corn) spring crops. The presence of these groups in the structure of crops contributes to a more complete use of environmental conditions, reduces the intensity of field, care and harvesting work on the farm, increases the stability of grain production and economic efficiency.
SPRING WHEAT (Triticum 1..)
Spring wheat (soft and durum) is an important grain and insurance crop in the Central Chernobyl region. Two types of spring wheat are widespread: soft (T. aestivum) and durum (T. durum). The yield of spring wheat is usually 8-10 centners/ha less than winter wheat, although the yield potential of modern varieties of the intensive type is quite large (up to 45-50 centners/ha). Spring wheat gives good grain yields only on a rich agricultural background with a high level of farming culture.
Spring wheat is cold hardy. Its seeds germinate at 2°C. Seedlings appear at 4-5°C, but better - at 8-10°C. From the beginning of germination to the 2nd leaf, durum wheat is damaged by frost - 3°C, soft wheat - 5°C, and at the beginning of tillering frost resistance increases to -8 and -10°C. In the tillering phase for spring wheat op
the timal temperature is about 10 and 12°C, in the phase of heading and grain filling - from 16 to 23°C, and during maturation - about 20-25°C.
Vegetation period of soft spring wheat is 85-105 days, hard wheat is 110-115 days. Growth phases are the same as for winter wheat.
Spring wheat is moisture-loving. Durum wheat suffers more from soil drought, but is more resistant to atmospheric drought. The greatest need for moisture is observed in the interphase periods of tubering - heading, formation - filling of grain. Drought at this time sharply reduces the yield.
The yield of spring wheat depends very much on the development of nodal roots, which are formed in the tillering phase in moist soil. If, in the tillering phase, the top layer of soil was dry, then the wheat may not form a secondary root system at all, since almost no roots form from the tillering node during the tubing phase, especially in durum wheat.
Spring wheat is demanding on soil fertility. It succeeds better on structural medium-cohesive chernozems with good reserves of moisture (more than 100 mm in a meter layer) and nutrients. Clay, sandy, washed out, acidic, saline and waterlogged soils are not suitable for it.
Wheat is a photophilous plant of a long day.
Soft spring wheat varieties: Voronezhskaya 10, Voronezhskaya 12, Granni, Daria, Krestyanka, Kurskaya 2038, L 503, Prokhorovka, Simbirtsit. Trizo, Tulaykovskaya 10, Favorit and others; hard: Bezenchukskaya L82, Valentina, Voronezhskaya 7, Don Elegy, Krasnokutka 10, Svetlana, Steppe 3.
The predecessors of spring wheat in crop rotations are perennial and annual legumes, legumes and tilled crops. Sometimes spring wheat is sown after winter wheat, which is undesirable because it leads to the accumulation of pathogenic infection and pests.
It is important to till the soil for spring wheat immediately or shortly after harvesting the predecessor. This increases the moisture reserves in the soil, reduces the number of weeds and pests.
After harvesting perennial grasses, disc plowing is carried out (sometimes after 10-15 days, the overgrown grass is also cut with a cultivator to a depth of 12-14 cm), and then after 2-3 weeks, plowing with a plow with 20-22 cm skimmers.
After leguminous, stubble and other early-harvested predecessors, fields clogged with root weeds are treated according to the type of improved or semi-fallow plowing.
After corn and sunflower, tillage includes cross post-harvest disking and plowing with plows with skimmers to a depth of 20-22 cm. After beets and potatoes, the soil is loosened without preliminary peeling. It is possible to replace deep loosening with shallow (12-14 cm) and even completely abandon tillage (mini-till and no-till tillage).
On slopes, anti-erosion treatment is necessary to reduce water runoff and soil washout by floods and rainstorms. Snow retention by snow plows (SVSH-7, SVSH-10, SVU-2.6) in the arid zone should become a mandatory method for replenishing the moisture reserve in the soil.
Harrowing of plowing in the spring in two tracks is carried out by the shuttle method, but it is better - in a diagonal-cross way with medium or heavy harrows linked in one row. At the same time, the quality of harrowing is significantly improved without reducing productivity.
The seed bed is created by pre-sowing cultivation at the seed sowing depth. On flat, weed-free fields, leveled in autumn and with good loosening of the soil with harrows in the spring, there is no need for pre-sowing cultivation if the seed drill coulters can plant the seeds into the soil to the desired depth. This is especially true for the steppe regions with strong winds and a rapid increase in temperature in spring.
All field work in the spring is best done with caterpillar or wheeled tractors on twin wheels, which do not compact the soil so much.
Fertilizer. Spring wheat responds well to complete fertilizer and especially to nitrogen and nitrogen-phosphorus fertilizers. On the
- centner of grain with an appropriate amount of straw, spring wheat on average consumes about 4 kg of nitrogen, 1 kg of P2O5 and 2.5 kg of K20. To obtain a strong or hard grain yield of 30-35 q/ha, the fertilizer dose is approximately N45^0^40-60^20-40, which, of course, must be differentiated depending on the predecessor, soil fertility, etc. The main fertilizer
nie is brought in for ploughing, plowing or flat-cutting processing. From nitrogen fertilizers, ammonia water and anhydrous ammonia can be applied in autumn.
Sowing. Large sorted seeds are used (the weight of 1000 grains is 35-40 g for soft and at least 40 g for durum wheat), obtained from high-yielding plots. They are disinfected by encrustation in the same way as winter wheat seeds, preventing the development of smut, root rot and seed mold.
The sowing time is early, it provides a friendly emergence of seedlings and better rooting of plants. Early crops suffer less from the May drought, pests and diseases. Spring wheat is usually sown in narrow row or regular row methods as soon as the soil reaches physical maturity, at a seed bed temperature of 5-6 °C.
The sowing depth of spring wheat is 4-5 cm. It can be increased to 7-8 cm, but at the same time, the emergence of seedlings is delayed, and field germination is reduced. Seeds should be placed in moist soil on a dense bed.
The seeding rate depends on many factors. Hard wheat, which has a reduced field germination and weak tillering, is usually sown at a higher rate (5-6 million units/ha) than soft wheat (4-5 million units/ha). In humid areas and on more fertile soils, it is sown more densely than in arid conditions. On poor soils and on weedy fields, they sow more densely than on clean fields, etc. Sowing of spring wheat can be with or without tramlines.
Care. In dry windy weather, "immediately after sowing spring wheat, the soil is rolled with ringed-ribbed rollers. This improves the contact of seeds with the soil, draws moisture to the seeds, and accelerates the emergence of seedlings.
To combat the soil crust and filamentous seedlings of weeds, fine pre-emergence harrowing is carried out 3-5 days after sowing. If necessary, harrowing of wheat seedlings in the phase of 2-3 leaves can also be carried out. However, the loosened topsoil dries quickly, and nodal roots do not form in dry soil. In addition, wheat seedlings are thinned (up to 18%) by tooth harrows, the yield does not increase, and may even decrease. Such harrowing is inappropriate. More effective loosening of the soil crust with a rotary hoe. It does not thin the crop so much (about 2.5%), but it destroys weed seedlings much less. Harrowing in the tillering phase, after the rooting of wheat is less dangerous and, if necessary, possible.
To combat wild oats and millet weeds, herbicides leopard 100 - 0.4-0.7 l / ha, foxtrot - 0.8-1.0 l / ha, oat-sugen express - 0.4-0.6 l / ha are used. ha, avantix 100 - 0.5-0.9 l/ha, aries - 0.3-0.5 l/ha, puma super 7.5 - 0.8-1.0 l/ha, etc. For destruction dicotyledonous weed crops are sprayed with banvel herbicides
- 0.15-0.3 l/ha, lintur - 135 g/ha, cowboy - 150-190 g/ha, super dialen - 0.6-0.8 l/ha, prima 0.4-0.6 l / ha, granstar 10-20 g/ha, mixtures of aurora with granstar (37.5 g/ha + 7.5-15 g/ha) and cowboy (37.5 g/ha + 85 ml/ha), hit, laren, grunch - 8-10 g/ha, cortes - 6-8 g/ha or others using ground sprayers.
impact - 0.5 l / ha, river C, falcon - 0.6 l / ha, amistar extra - 0.8-1 l / ha, etc.
In the fight against larvae of the grain beetle, harmful turtle, leech, bread fleas, grain scoop and others, the following are used (taking into account the threshold of harmfulness): Bi-58 New, Daiadim expert - 1.0-1.5 l / ha, fury - 0.07-0.1 l/ha, decis pro - 30-40 g/ha, karate zeon, kungfu, break, sensei - 0.15-0.2 l/ha, ephoria - 0.1-0.3 l/ha, alpha-cipi, caesar, tsunami, alphas, fastak, alterra, alphashans - 0.1-0.15 l/ha, kinmix - 0.2-0.5 l/ha, etc.
To prevent lodging, spring wheat crops are sprayed with solutions of CeCeCe 750 preparations - 1-1.5 l / ha, stabilan
- 1.5-2.0 l/ha, anti-legant - 1.8-2.0 l/ha. moddus - 0.2-0.4 l/ha before the plants start to grow into the tube. Perhaps the combined use of a retardant with herbicides or fungicides.
