Response of winter wheat to foliar fertilization with microelements
Issue: 2/2026
Recevied: January 23, 2026
Accepted: April 8, 2026
Published: April 12, 2026
Authors:
W. Jarecki
Categories: Agricultural
DOI: 10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3759
Abstract:
Foliar fertilization with micronutrients is an important element of winter wheat cultivation, especially with intensive agricultural practices. Micronutrients improve macronutrient utilization, plant health, and yield size and quality. A field experiment with winter wheat of the RGT Kilimanjaro variety was carried out in the seasons 2021/2022 – 2023/2024 at the University of Rzeszów Experimental Station in Krasne, near Rzeszów. The aim of the study was foliar fertilization winter wheat with micronutrients, i.e. zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and boron (B), as compared to the control treatment. The one-factor experiment was established on a brown soil, quality class IIIa, good wheat complex. The levels of absorbable macronutrients (P, K, Mg) in the soil were high, while medium levels of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, B) were found. Weather conditions during the plant vegetation period varied over the years of research, which modified the obtained effects of foliar fertilization. The difference in grain yield between 2022 and 2023 was 1.4 t ha-1. The SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) measurement showed that foliar fertilization with Cu and Mn was the most effective, increasing the grain yield by 0.19 t ha-1 and 0.15 t ha-1, respectively, compared to the control treatment. This was the result of an increase in the Grains Number per Spike (GNS) and the Thousand Grain Weight (TGW) after spraying with these microelements. Grain Protein Content (GPC) increased significantly after the application of Cu, Mo, Mn and Zn. Foliar fertilization differentiated the grain macronutrient and micronutrient values, but not always favorably, which resulted from synergism or antagonism between individual elements.
Citation:
JELEM / HARVARD
Jarecki, W. (2026) 'Response of winter wheat to foliar fertilization with microelements', Journal of Elementology, 31(2), , available: https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3759
MDPI
Jarecki, W. Response of winter wheat to foliar fertilization with microelements. J. Elem. 2026, 31, 2, . https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3759
AMA
Jarecki W. Response of winter wheat to foliar fertilization with microelements. J. Elem. 2026;31(2):. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3759
CHICAGO
Jarecki Wacław. 2026. "Response of winter wheat to foliar fertilization with microelements" J. Elem. 31, no.2:. https://doi.org/10.5601/jelem.2026.31.1.3759
Keywords:
Triticum aestivum L., nutrients, foliar fertilization, plant nutritional status, yield
About issue:
31.2.2026
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