THE INFLUENCE OF SOWING TIME AND THE USE OF MICRONUTRIENTS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF WINTER WHEAT

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to investigate the influence of sowing time and the use of micronutrients on the productivity of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The experiment was conducted in 2024–2025 at the Experimental Station of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy. The soil texture was medium-heavy loam. A two-factor experiment was carried out: Factor A – different sowing dates (September 5, 12, 19, and 26); Factor B – additional fertilization with micronutrient fertilizers. The experiment was conducted in four replications. During the growing season, winter wheat was fertilized with nitrogen three times, with a total rate of N₁₇₁.

The significantly highest protein content (14.3%) was determined in the crop sown on September 19 and sprayed with micronutrient fertilizers. The test weight (hectolitre mass) of the winter wheat grains ranged from 68.6 to 74.3 kg hl⁻¹. The lowest yield was recorded in the plot sown latest (September 26) without micronutrient application (8.33 t ha⁻¹). The highest yield (9.71 t ha⁻¹) was achieved in the crop sown on September 5 and treated with micronutrient fertilizers.