Effect of chloride fertilization on yield and development rate of winter wheat varieties
The effect of Cl fertility on small grain production is currently of great interest in the Northern Great Plains. Research from South Dakota and Montana has shown that application of fertilizers containing Cl may increase grain production. However, little is known about the mechanism of response. Several studies have found that Cl applications reduced disease severity from plant pathogens. However, the Cl-plant disease relationship does not explain many instances of Cl induced yield response. Chloride has been shown to reduce plant disease severity without affecting grain yield. In other cases Cl has increased grain yield without affecting the severity of plant diseases. This research led to information documenting chloride deficiency and response to chloride in small grain cereals.
IPNI-1991-USA-MT10
Justification
- The effect of Cl fertility on small grain production is currently of great interest in the Northern Great Plains. Research from South Dakota and Montana has shown that application of fertilizers containing Cl may increase grain production. However, little is known about the mechanism of response. Several studies have found that Cl applications reduced disease severity from plant pathogens. However, the Cl-plant disease relationship does not explain many instances of Cl induced yield response. Chloride has been shown to reduce plant disease severity without affecting grain yield. In other cases Cl has increased grain yield without affecting the severity of plant diseases.
A perplexing issue is the fact that Cl responses do not appear predictable based on soil or plant Cl levels alone. Studies in Montana indicated that winter wheat yields were improved by Cl i none part of field and not in another, even though background soil levels were similar. Similarly Cl yield responses have been observed to occur one year and not the next at a single location. Thus, the likelihood of observing a yield response to Cl may be tied to environmental factors, soil properties (chemical, physical, or biological) in addition to Cl levels, and specific Cl-plant relations.
A few studies have observed that Cl responses in small grains are limited to specific varieties. A recent South Dakota study implied the grain-fill duration period was increased by Cl in selected spring wheat varieties known to be responsive to Cl. This phenomena may be one, in a list of may, mechanisms that explain why small grains respond to Cl. However, to date only a few studies have been conducted that address the Cl-plant development rate issue. It is the purpose of this investigation to determine if Cl yield responses in winter wheat are limited to specific varieties; and if these response can in part be explained by an effect of Cl on plant development. A better understanding of this subject can only help to improve sales and marketability of KCl by contributing new information that elucidates the Cl response mechanism.