The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of chemical crop protection on the content of N, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe in grain of 8 spelt wheat cultivars (Franckenkorn, Badengold, Schwabenspelz, Oberkulmer Rotkorn, Ostro, Ceralio, Schwabenkorn, and Spelt I.N.Z.). Chemical protection involved application of a fungicide, two herbicides and a retardant. No plant protection agents were used in the control treatment. The above spelt cultivars were grown in a monoculture on medium heavy mixed rendzina soil. The study was carried out in 2009-2011, at the Bezek Experimental Farm, which belongs to the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. Among the spelt wheat cultivars compared, grain of cv. Ostro was characterized by the highest content of nitrogen, phosphorus and manganese, whereas grain of cv. Franckenkorn contained the largest amounts of potassium and magnesium. The highest amount of zinc was found in grain of cv. Oberkulmer Rotkorn and that of copper – in grain of cv. Spelt I.N.Z., while grain of cv. Schwabenkorn was found to be the richest in iron. Irrespective of the cultivar, chemical plant protection significantly increased the copper content in spelt grain and simultaneously decreased the magnesium content. The content of N, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn in grain decreased in the successive years of the study.

18.1.2013