Cultivation of silage maize, winter wheat and winter rape under the influence of omitted fertilisation

Influence of omitted fertilisation with the nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as well as the influence of omitted liming.

There are six experimental variants with different mineral fertilisation:

Variant 1: full fertilisation
Variant 2: without N
Variant 3: without P
Variant 4: without K
Variant 5: without lime
Variant 6: no fertilisation

The trial is embedded in a three-field crop rotation:

Silage Maize
Winter wheat
Winter rape

Cultivation overview 2025/26 - Block 1 - Winter Wheat

Variant 5 - without lime

Variant 5 - without lime

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter wheat

Sowing: 

Germination: 

8.08.2019 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

 

Variant 6 - no fertilisation

Variant 6 - no fertilisation

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresPlant protection
Winter wheat

Sowing: 

Germination: 

 

Variant 2 - without nitrogen

Variant 2 - without nitrogen

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter wheat

Sowing: 

Germination: 

08.08.2019 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape



 

Variant 1 - Full fertilisation

Variant 1 - Full fertilisation

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type    VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter wheat

Sowing: 

Germination: 

 

08.08.2019 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

Variant 4 - without potassium

Variant 4 - without potassium

Anbau 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter wheat

Sowing: 

Germination:   

08.08.2019 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiRape

Variant 3 - without phosphorus

Variant 3 - without phosphorus

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter wheat

Sowing: 

Germination: 

08.08.2019 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha  K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

 

Cultivation overview 2025/26 - Block 2 - Winter rape

Variant 4 - without potassium

Variant 4 - without potassium

Anbau 2025/2026

Type         VarietyGrains/m²TKGKFxFA %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection

Winter rape (Hybrid)

KWS Ambos555,1379,93,0

Sowing: 26.08.2025

Cambridge roller: 26.08.2025

Germination:  

22.10.2018 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) on Maize

06.02.2019 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiWheat

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiRape

04.09.2023 600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha  P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%)  on Maize

 

stained with: Scenic Gold, Lumiposa

 

Variant 5 - without lime

Variant 5 - without lime

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type        VarietyGrains/m²TKGKFxFA %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter rape (Hybrid)KWS Ambos555,1379,93,0

Sowing: 26.08.2025

Cambridge roller: 26.08.2025

Germination: 

06.02.2019 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%)  30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%)  on WiWheat

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%)  30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%)  on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%)  40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%)  on WiRape

04.09.2023 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%)  on Maize

stained with: Scenic Gold, Lumiposa

Variant 3 - without phosphorus

Variant 3 - without phosphorus

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type       VarietyGrains/m²TKGKFxFA %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter rape (Hybrid)KWS Ambos555,379,93,0

Sowing: 26.08.2025

Cambridge roller: 26.08.2025

Germination: 

22.10.2018 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) on Maize

06.02.2019 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWeizen

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

04.09.2023 600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%)  on Maize

stained with: Scenic Gold, Lumiposa

Variant 6 - no fertilisation

Variant 6 - no fertilisation

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type              VarietyGrains/m²TKGKFxFA %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresPlant protection
Winter rape (Hybrid)KWS Ambos555,1379,93,0

Sowing: 26.08.2025

Cambridge roller: 26.08.2025

Germination: 

stained with: Scenic Gold, Lumiposa

Variant 1 - Full fertilisation

Variant 1 - Full fertilisation

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type      VarietyGrains/m²TKGKFxFA %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection

Winter rape (Hybrid)

KWS Ambos555,1379,93,0

Sowing: 26.08.2025

Cambridge roller: 26.08.2025

Germination: 

22.10.2018 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) on Maize

06.02.2019 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

17.03.2020 30 kg P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg K/ha (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P/ha (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

stained with: Scenic Gold, Lumiposa

Variant 2 - without nitrogen

Variant 2 - without nitrogen

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type             VarietyGrains/m²TKGKFxFA %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Winter rape (Hybrid)KWS Ambos555,1379,93,0

Sowing: 26.089.2025

Cambridge roller: 26.08.2025

Germination: 

22.10.2018 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) on Maize

06.02.2019 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

17.03.2020 30 kg P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg K/ha (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

21.02.2023 40 kg/ha P/ha (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiRape

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

stained with: Scenic Gold, Lumiposa

Cultivation overview 2025/26 - Block 3 - Maize

Variant 6 - no fertilisation

Variant 6 - no fertilisation

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresPlant protection
Mais

Sowing: 

Germination: 


 

 

 

 

 

Variant 2 - without nitrogen

Variant 2 - without nitrogen

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Mais

Sowing: 

Germination: 

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

28.08.2024 562 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 80 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 100 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Winterrape


 

Variant 3 - without phosphorus

Variant 3 - without phosphorus

Cultivation 2025/20256

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Maize

Sowing: 

Germination: 

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

28.08.2024 562 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 100 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Winterrape


 

Variant 4 - without potassium

Variant 4 - without potassium

Anbau 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Maize

Sowing: 

Germination: 

 

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on Maize

28.08.2024 562 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 80 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) on Winterrape

 

 


 

Variant 5 - without lime

Variant 5 - without lime

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Maize

Sowing: 

Germination: 

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

28.08.2024 80 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 100 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Winterrape


 

Variant 1 - Full fertilisation

Variant 1 - Full fertilisation

Cultivation 2025/2026

Type                     VarietyGrains/m²TKGKF %Seed rate kg/haMeasuresFertilisationPlant protection
Maize

Sowing: 

Germination: 

17.03.2020 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

03.08.2021 600 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 30 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 30 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on WiWheat

04.09.2023  600 kg/ha CaO (Kohlensaurer Kalk 45%) 60 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 40 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Maize

28.08.2024 562 kg/ha CaO (Carbokalk 27%) 80 kg/ha P (Triple-Superphosphat 45%) 100 kg/ha K (Korn-Kali 60%) on Winterrape