Ontario Grain Farmer December 2021/January 2022

When looking at nitrogen, Follings notes the rate and application method impacted lodging. The risk for lodging is, of course, much lower when lower rates of N are used. But if pushing N rates, the application timing can have an impact. If the field is receiving N all at once, even with a PGR, lodging can still be seen. Ideally, a split application system should be used. EARLY RESULTS In this first year of research, there was quite a variation in yield response. Some fields saw no response if the field lodged or didn’t, but in some instances, there was some significant response, probably due to when the timing of lodging occurred. Some fields lodged later in the grain fill period while others lodged earlier in grain fill period, with some fields lodging just after pollination. In scenarios where PGRs were used, the wheat was able to get further through the grain fill period before it lodged. Over the three-year trial more information will be gained. There is also a quality advantage. “This past year, we saw lots of rainfall during the grain fill period, causing increased sprouting and in some cases fusarium- so if you can reduce lodging it is for good disease and sprouting management as well,” says Follings. If a farmer is really thinking about using a PGR, they need to consider that, “it means more management; as it’s another pass across the field. As we start using PGRs, farmers need to think more strategically about their trips across the field,” Follings says. “Consider fall weed control to help you manage those trips across the field. In the spring of 2021, it was cold so weed control got pushed later into the season. This then created challenges with trying to figure out multi tank mixes while avoiding crop injury. If farmers can get weeds controlled in the fall, they can then focus instead on proper PGR and fungicide timing in the spring.” PGR timing might be something to consider as well. The research team observed a greater shortening of the crop when a PGR was applied at early stages of the application windows. When the PGRs were applied around flag leaf, the same amount of shortening was not observed. “PGRs are a great tool in the toolbox, but they do not need to be used every year or in every situation,” says Follings. A great way to see how a PGR will work on an operation is to do a strip trial, on each unique farm and with the different varieties that may be grown to get a feel for them. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 15 DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 Looking forward to the next two years of research, the research team hopes to have the best possible predictive tools for when a farmer should consider a PGR. Looking past this project, there may be a need to look at PGR rates on varieties and in certain situations. “It is amazing how much we learned despite how much we thought we knew”, says Johnson. This research was funded by Grain Farmers of Ontario. This project was funded by the Canadian Agriculture Partnership, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative. l DON’T MISS OUT... our early order discounts are available now! MOST OUT OF YOURS SO YOU GET THE WE PUT THE WORK IN OUR FIELDS De Dell Seeds The Leaders in Non-GMO Corn De Dell Seeds • 7095 Century Drive • Melbourne, ON • N0L 1T0 P: 519-264-CORN (2676) • F: 519-264-2672 info@dedellseeds.com • www.dedellseeds.com Our breeding is done the traditional way, in the field, in an effort to bring you the best possible results on your farm. That is why we are The Leaders in Non-GMO Seed Corn . This article features research supported by Grain Farmers of Ontario.