Cultivation Technology

Hybrid Selection

Select hybrids appropriate for the agroclimatic zone, FAO maturity group, and soil type.

Soil Tillage

• Primary tillage: plowing or deep loosening (25–40 cm).
• Pre-sowing operations: harrowing (to preserve soil moisture), and seedbed leveling via cultivation.
• No-till/strip-till systems are possible on fields free of perennial weeds.

Fertilization

• Base fertilization: NPK application based on soil nutrient analysis and planned yield potential (e.g., YaraMila, NPK, NP, NP(S)).
• Starter fertilizers: products such as Fertchem, AgriStart for early root development.
• Top dressing: UAN-32/28 applied at the 4–6 leaf stage (60–90 kg active N/ha).
• Foliar nutrition: Biofert, Quantum, Avangard, preferably with Zinc content, applied at 6–8 leaf stage.

Seed Preparation

Seed calibration by fraction, followed by treatment with fungicides, insecticides, and growth stimulants.
Common products include:

• Fungicides: Fludioxonil, Sedaxane
• Insecticide: Thiamethoxam

Optional stimulants: Humifield Forte Brix, Fulvigrain.

Sowing

• Sowing window: when soil temperature reaches +8..+10°C at seeding depth (typically April 10 – May 1).
• Depth: 4–6 cm, depending on soil type, available moisture, and timing.
• Seeding rates:
  • Forest-Steppe: 70,000–80,000 seeds/ha
  • Steppe: 45,000–55,000 seeds/ha
• Seeders: precision planters (e.g., Monosem, Prosem, Vaderstad, Gaspardo).

Growth Protection and Stabilization

Pre-emergence herbicide application with:

• Acetochlor, S-metolachlor, Propisochlor, Acenit, Primextra Gold, TZ Gold, Harness, Oscar Power

Post-emergence (rescue) herbicides:

• Against grasses: Nicosulfuron, Tembotrione (e.g., Nikogan, Alvius, Laudis)
• Against broadleaves: Dicamba, Thifensulfuron-methyl, Tribenuron-methyl, Mesotrione, Rimsulfuron, Florasulam, etc. (e.g., Laudis, Elumis, Sigur, A priori).

Growth and Seed Protection

• Fungal diseases: Azoxystrobin, Thiophanate-methyl (e.g., Amistar, Impact, Acadia)
• Ear rot (Fusarium spp.) prevention: Tebuconazole, Propiconazole, Flutriafol (e.g., Impact, Flanker)

Harvest and Yield

• Harvest when grain moisture reaches 14–24%, followed by cleaning and drying (to 14% if required).
• Expected yield under proper management: 8–14 t/ha.
  Higher yields are achievable with drip irrigation and enhanced nutrient management.

Recommendations

• Monitor plant condition, weather, and soil moisture index (e.g., via meteorological stations, SoilScout sensors).