Are your crops stressed?
Consider this scenario: You are out in the field evaluating your young canola crop, approximately three to four weeks post-seeding. This pre-spray assessment provides an opportunity to observe crop development, identify any potential insect or disease presence, evaluate crop staging, and ensure the appropriate products are selected for the upcoming spray application.
Now imagine noticing signs of localized wilting or observing areas where plant growth appears delayed compared to the rest of the field. Is the issue related to seeding inconsistencies, or could it be an indication of plant stress?
Accurate diagnosis is critical to effectively address any crop issue. Equally important is having the appropriate solution available for the specific problem. During pre-spray crop scouting, consider the following diagnostic questions:
- What is the extent of the problem? Is it field-wide, or does it follow a discernable pattern?
- Which parts of the plants are affected, and what is the nature of the damage?
- What is the field's history regarding disease or insect pressure?
- Are there visible signs of disease or insect pests, and can they be identified?
- Does the crop variety exhibit specific susceptibilities, such as cold sensitivity or limited drought tolerance?
Stress caused by diseases or insect damage is often relatively straightforward to identify, with chemical interventions readily available. However, be mindful that nutrient deficiency symptoms may closely mimic those of disease, highlighting the importance of understanding field history when making a diagnosis.
Abiotic stress factors -such as extreme temperatures, frost, hail, or variable moisture levels - pose additional challenges. While weather conditions cannot be controlled, you can take measures to support plant health and recovery after the occurrence of such stress events, even during post-emergence stages.
Nutrition and stress
It is a well-established principle that robust and healthy plants possess a greater capacity to withstand abiotic stressors in the environment.
While macronutrient management through tailored fertilizer programs addresses the foundational nutritional needs of crops, there is a growing recognition among agricultural professionals that effective plant nutrition extends beyond nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S). Incorporating micronutrients strategically into an integrated plant nutrition plan can significantly enhance crop health and resilience throughout the growing season, ultimately leading to improved agronomic outcomes.
Foliar application of micronutrients provides a rapid-response approach to addressing crop stress detected during field scouting. Additionally, in fields with a documented history of nutrient imbalances or disease pressure, proactive applications of micronutrients can optimize yield potential by preemptively fortifying plant health.
When included as part of a tank mix with herbicides or fungicides, foliar-applied micronutrients deliver essential nutrients that facilitate recovery from adverse conditions, such as cold stress or hail damage. By enhancing nutrient uptake and bolstering plant metabolic processes, these applications function as a supplementary intervention to support stressed crops in regaining vitality and productivity.
A complete nutritional plan
Micronutrients are an essential component of a comprehensive nutrient management plan, complementing macronutrient strategies to optimize crop performance. For crops such as canola, cereals, or pulses, the application of balanced fertilizers at seeding is crucial to supplying the nutrients required for early growth and establishment.
Throughout the growing season, micronutrients play a vital role in enhancing plant health. They support crop resilience against adverse weather conditions and contribute to improved field performance and yield potential.
Regular field scouting during the season is indispensable. By monitoring for signs of crop stress, growers can take timely action to address nutrient deficiencies or other challenges, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their crops.