Mineral profile of winter wheat grain: effects of soil tillage and nitrogen fertilisation

Summary

This field trial investigates how soil tillage method and nitrogen fertilisation rate interact to affect the mineral profile of winter wheat grain. The study likely demonstrates that both tillage intensity and N application level influence the uptake and accumulation of key macro- and microelements in wheat grain, with implications for grain nutritional quality. Findings suggest that agronomic management choices can modulate mineral concentrations in harvested grain, though the magnitude of effects will vary by element and experimental conditions.

UK applicability

Although conducted in Serbia under continental climatic and soil conditions, the findings are broadly relevant to UK arable systems where winter wheat is the dominant cereal crop and where tillage reform and nitrogen use efficiency are active policy concerns. The directional effects of reduced tillage and N rate optimisation on grain mineral density are likely to be applicable to UK practice, though absolute values may differ owing to differences in soil type, variety, and climate.

Key measures

Grain mineral concentration (mg/kg) for macro- and microelements (likely N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu); nitrogen fertilisation rates (kg N/ha); tillage system (conventional vs. reduced/no-till)

Outcomes reported

The study measured the concentrations of macro- and micromineral elements (such as N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu) in winter wheat grain under different tillage treatments and nitrogen fertilisation rates. It assessed how agronomic management practices influence grain mineral profile and, by extension, nutritional quality.

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