The warm weather has increased Brix readings in wheat and barley..
Today sees 10 on wheat and 5 in barley.
I good improvement on last time..
Disease is low but brown rust is showing on the lower leaves of wheat and some slight mildew in Barley crops.
High ph soil 7. And a brix of around 8.. not bad. . Have done some forward barley with brix of 2...
Nutrient density is about high brix reading.. The fuzzy line is good calcium...
This field nearly always goes down with manganese symptoms but nothing us showing yet.. actual oh is 7 in the root zone so as growth slows in colder temps the hydrogen exuded from roots reduces.. and so to the availability if Mn to the plant roots...
Always good to see the rewards for using compost materials. . Plenty of worm activity cycling nutrient rich castings into the root zone.. just wish the slugs would get busy somewhere away from the crop..
Seems the mild weather is getting the OSR away well in places. . Some downy mildew seen and watching for signs of aphids and phoma. .
One or 2 signs of flea beetle activity this week, and the first indication of aphids... watching for BYMV protection.
This year's OSR up at cotelydon stage with no signs of flea beetle attack.
This light soil has a bulk density of 0.92 in the to 3 inches (7.5cm) and 0.96 down to 15 cm.
All is well for good rooting ..
True Bulk density testing is mow available from SSM sustainable soil management.
Please come and visit the SSM plots on the Glenside stand at cereals 2014 Duxford.
Demonstrating how we can create sustainable crop production by employing proven techniques of understanding and balancing the soils chemical, physical and biological properties.
"Soils biological excellences can only be achieved by creating a viable environment for biology to exist and thrive within." KJA
The wet weather is certainly highlighting the soils which have poor drainage. Sometimes very soft and whilst walking we are sinking to cultivation depth. It is so important for maize to get the seedbed right.
Taken from areas of the field were poor growth us observed. pH 6 and below. Recently limed but the agricultural lime is either in the wrong place after cultivations or the lime is yet to neutralise the acidity.
The result us poor root functioning and subsequent nutrient availability.
Requires a combination of fast acting lime and root stimulants including trace elements.
Always a problem, protracted germination and resistance.
After such a wet autumn, we can see the new germination of black grass from the cracks in the soil. This heavy clay soil is dominated by magnesium, making it near impossible to tackle the continuous onslaught of problem weeds.
SSM soil sampling highlights the extent of the problem and formulates the actions required to get the best performance from residual herbicides by creating seedbed agrigation.
We may not change the clay type, but we can alter the chemical, physical and biological balance, so creating the most optimum environment for roots and soil life to thrive.
An early season with winter barley having emergence of awns before may...
Will not be long now for barley to come out awn.. flag leaf is visable and awn will be out, showing by the end of April for sure.. In the southwest of the UK.
Winter barley.. showing brown rust.. greening up after nitrogen application.. adventious roots growing fine in the high iron soils.
Forward crops of wheat have not looked back... without the cold to slow things up it has been motoring away.. Some wheat's showing GS30 plus. And full of septoria.
Winter barley has some very bad brown rust as well.
Now the fertiliser is going on well and drier weather about.. We can target the energy going to support the tiller and roots. T0 will also go on towards the end of March. Crops are moving fast from foundation to construction phase.
Soil temperatures now ideal for biological soil applications ...
PhosN leading the way... enquiries welcome.
Cereals on the 11-12th june
Preparations are under way and we will be showing all about practical soil management. See you then.
The temperatures are pushing on growth well even though we can't travel.. With purple crops lacking nutrition. We advise trace element foliar testing and ensure the growing points are not lacking nutrition.
Lovely growing day 11 degrees. Sunny and roots starting to develop..
Looking to get the auxin production up and running well after all the wet weather. TO applications due mid march.
Crops are trying put out their adventitious root systems. The Winter lateral roots have had a lot of stress and are in a variable state of health. Increasing new root growth must be a key focus this spring.
The surface capping of the soil due to ionic imbalances of the soil... fine 2 mill cap blocking air and underneath well agrigated soil.
