How to increase wheat grain numbers

The grain number is itself a function of the number of fertile shoots per unit area and the number of grains per ear. The grower therefore needs to consider how nutrition can have an impact on the grain numbers per ear.

Wheat yield component targets

Nitrogen increases grain numbers

Nitrogen will affect the number of grains that are set on individual ears/spikes. A high yielding crop of wheat will have approximately 45-50 grains / ear, however if nitrogen supply is limiting this will be reduced.

Effect of high or low nitrogen in three wheat development periods

The timing of the applied nitrogen is important as grain numbers are determined early from double ridge to floret initiation.

Potassium influences grain numbers

Potassium will influence the numbers of grains per ear.

Effect of potassium supply on 1000 grain weight of wheat

This study from the Potash Development Association shows a clear relationship between potassium supply and the number of grains per ear with potassium deficiency preventing some potential grain sites from developing and reducing grain set.

Micronutrients influence grain numbers

The effect of manganese and zinc on the number of grains per ear in wheat

Effect of boron on the yield of winter wheat

 

The effect of copper on the yield of winter wheat

Other crop management practices influencing wheat grain numbers

The number of eventual grains per spike (ear) varies from season to season and is affected by a number of factors including:

  • Varietal choice
  • Disease control during flowering
  • Weather conditions during flowering 
  • Temperature and day length before terminal spikelet (Zadoks GS 30)

This variability enables high yields to be achieved through two ways:

  • Low shoot numbers and high grain numbers/spike
  • High shoot numbers and low grain numbers/spike

Recommended Yara fertilisers for wheat

YaraVita BORTRAC 150
A liquid micronutrient fertiliser containing 150 g/l boron for foliar application to provide additional boron or to treat boron deficiencies in a wide range of crops.
YaraVita GRAMITREL
A flowable liquid fertiliser with a balanced combination of micronutrients including manganese, magnesium, copper and zinc for foliar application to cereals.
YaraVita MANCOZIN
A flowable liquid micronutrient fertiliser containing manganese, copper and zinc for foliar application to treat micronutrient deficiencies on cereals and broadacre crops.
YaraBela AXAN
27% N + 9% SO3 - Granular uniform compound nitrate based nitrogen and sulphur fertiliser for use on all crops.
YaraMila ACTYVA S
15.6-14.6-14.6+ 6.5 SO3 - Granular fertiliser often used for grassland, winter cereals and oilseed rape to supply phosphate and potash together with nitrogen and sulphur.
YaraMila 52 S
20.6-8.2-11.6 +6.5%SO3 - Compound NPKS fertiliser containing Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potash and Sulphur suitable for all crops.
See all fertilisers products

Related articles

How to maintain wheat green leaf canopy

How to maintain wheat green leaf canopy

The key to achieving high wheat yields, having established the correct canopy structure, is to maintain the green area right through to the final grain filling period, capturing as much of the incident light as possible and converting it to yield.
How to increase wheat leaf and tiller numbers

How to increase wheat leaf and tiller numbers

The number of leaves determines the size of the crop canopy and its photosynthetic potential. The number of shoots and how many of these survive through to harvest also determines the number of ears at harvest and so the potential yield.
How to increase wheat grain size and weight

How to increase wheat grain size and weight

Wheat grain size is strongly influenced by plant nutrition particularly during the important grain filling period. Nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, magnesium and zinc are particularly important.
Identify and diagnose wheat nutrient deficiencies

Identify and diagnose wheat nutrient deficiencies

Identify and diagnose if your wheat is suffering from nutrient deficiencies and learn more about the symptoms and causes and how to control or correct the deficiency

See all wheat article pages

How correct nutrient management can affect your wheat

Managing late drilled wheat crops
Managing late drilled wheat crops
Where drilling of winter wheat has been delayed, the crop nutrition strategy should be adapted to help recover the lost yield potential
Agronomy Advice - Do you really need straight nitrogen
Do you really need straight nitrogen
Before ordering your straight nitrogen it is worth considering how much you actually need as it may be you actually need NS or NPKS grades instead.
Agronomy Advice - Don't forget about sulphur
Don't forget about sulphur
Sulphur was often overlooked in the past but today it is recognised as an essential nutrient and considered just as important as nitrogen, so not to be forgotten.
Heavier fertiliser spreads further
Heavier fertiliser spreads further
Some fertilisers consistently spread further and more accurately than others. A heavier and larger fertiliser granule will spread further because the spreader can put more energy into it.
Increase grain protein with well timed nitrogen
Increase grain protein with well timed nitrogen
A well-timed application of nitrogen after the flag leaf final-dressing will increase the amount of nitrogen available to your crops during that crucial stage of protein development.
Foliar phosphate – energising cereal crops for spring growth
Foliar phosphate – energising cereal crops for spring growth
Many cereal crops struggle to get moving in early spring due to low phosphorus levels as a result of low phosphate availability. Giving these crops a quick 'energy boost' from foliar phosphate is the best way to get them started.
See all agronomy advice

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