{"id":92115,"date":"2026-09-01T14:22:32","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T14:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omex.com\/uk\/?p=92115"},"modified":"2026-09-02T07:04:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T07:04:35","slug":"adapting-nutrient-management-plans-for-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.omex.com\/uk\/adapting-nutrient-management-plans-for-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"Adapting Nutrient Management Plans For 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Time To Rethink Autumn Applied P and K.<\/b><\/h1>\n

In our previous blog we spoke about the importance of nutrient management planning and using data to make decisions based on soil and grain analysis. Putting that into practice is the next step.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One consideration is the timing of phosphate and potassium applications. Traditionally P and K fertilisers have been applied in the autumn ahead of drilling. This is a time when land is clear, and applications can be to \u201ctick a job off the list\u201d However this might not be matching crop demand and therefore leading to a lower level of Nutrient Use Efficiency. This is particularly relevant for winter cereals.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Matching P & K with Winter Wheat Demand<\/h2>\n

If we look at the nutrient uptake of winter wheat, the highest demand for macro nutrients the spring. Hence why we apply nitrogen and sulphur at this time, but what about phosphate and potassium?<\/p>\nSpeak to the team today<\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Phosphate<\/h3>\n

Starting with phosphate, whilst the total demand isn\u2019t as high as potassium it is worth pointing out the wheat crop takes up around 50% of total requirement during March and April during early stem extension. Given how phosphate uptake from the soil is compromised by a number of factors it makes sense to apply it as close to the demand time as possible.<\/p>\n

Firstly, I want to go back to basics, phosphate has a very narrow band of optimum availability. At low pH soils phosphate is locked up by aluminium and iron, and at high pH it is locked up by calcium. Therefore, following any soil test results that show an acidic sub-optimal pH it really is paramount to treat this with an application of lime. High pH soils are much harder to influence, again applying phosphate when the crop needs it the most makes total sense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secondly, phosphate isn\u2019t very mobile and therefore needs to be applied close to the roots. In this instance applying in the autumn pre drilling would increase the risk of \u201clock up\u201d before being actively used as clearly there are no roots present. Therefore, applying in the spring when there are developed roots present is an agronomically better option.<\/p>\n

The third factor is soil temperature and conditions, availability is compromised when soils are cold and wet. We often see this in early spring just as the crop demand reaches the highest level. This again is when you require that fresh available phosphate.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Potassium<\/h3>\n

Moving on to Potassium, this is required is large quantities by high yielding cereal crops. Peak demand occurs during flowering and into grain fill where the crop can take up to 10 kg\/ha K2<\/sub>O per day, demand generally exceeds offtake.\u00a0 The key is to ensure sufficient potassium in the soil solution ahead of this time. Potassium is vital for a number of functions including improved drought tolerance and water regulation, improved Nitrogen Use Efficiency, increased straw strength leading to reduced brackling\/lodging, a longer grain fill period leading to improved specific weights, and ultimately higher yields. It really is an overlooked nutrient. Especially on potassium releasing clay soils.<\/p>\n

Whilst potassium availability from the soil is less impacted than phosphate there are a number of limiting factors. These include drought conditions, leaching on light soils following excessive rainfall and on soils with a high magnesium content where the two nutrients are antagonistic towards each other. To mitigate these risks and achieve optimum nutrient use efficiency it really should be applied in the spring, not in the autumn.<\/p>\n

There has also been an increase in straw removal for financial reasons, it does need something putting back though eventually.<\/p>\n

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A Targeted Approach to P & K Applications<\/h4>\n

A caveat is that if soil indices are at a critically low level (0) then there would be a need for some nutrition at drilling. However, if soil indices are above 0, fresh applied P and K in the spring would be a more suitable option. Crop rooting could be stimulated by an autumn application of a phosphite biostimulant such at Kickstart<\/a> from the Fortiflo range<\/a>, this could be tank mixed with a top up residual herbicide\/BYDV insecticide application.<\/p>\nKickstart<\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fuelling Early Spring Growth with NPKS<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If you are going to stimulate rooting and energy you then need to ensure there is ample food available. Afterall we as humans cannot live of caffeine alone!.<\/p>\n

OMEX Multiflo NPKS fertilisers<\/a> are an ideal fit for that first application in the spring. They offer a number of benefits including:<\/p>\n