Malacca

Dependable

Of all the Group 1 breadmaking wheats, Malacca is the only one that demonstrates proven reliability year on year.

Malacca has one of the highest and most dependable HFN, especially compared to Hereward or Xi-19.  

HGCA wheat quality survey data, compiled from samples from throughout the UK, clearly demonstrates this.

Even in 2004, an exceptionally poor, wet harvest year Malacca held on to its Hagberg.  While in 2004 the UK Malacca crop averaged slightly below the 250 HFN milling specification, the bulk of samples were above this.  In comparison, at 223, Hereward was well below.

 

Malacca for yield and quality

Correct use of nitrogen is essential to ensure proteins are achieved, particularly when yield potential is now so high.  In modern milling wheats, correct advice on application timing to ensure optimum crop structure with minimal disease and lodging is critical. 

Experienced growers have confirmed that achieving the desired proteins for milling crops of Malacca, year on year, requires a different approach.  Nitrogen rates must be adjusted upwards firstly to ensure that yield potential is fulfilled and secondly that sufficient nitrogen remains available to create protein.

It is important to provide justification for higher levels of nitrogen usage and demonstrate the reasons for applications. Reference to the DEFRA Guidelines in RB209 is a good starting point.  To tailor nitrogen amounts to suit your crop, use the information given in RB209 regarding soil

• nitrogen efficiency (page 14) and crop nitrogen off take (pages 78 and 79). The principle that is used below is based upon the following:crops

• contain N and crop nitrogen off take in the grain is fixed depending upon protein contentthe soil provides some residual N from the previous

• crop applied N uptake and usage by the crop varies dependant upon soil type.

Take account of soil fertility, previous cropping and historical crop performance when calculating soil nitrogen supply.  It is also important to understand the effect of seasonal rainfall on soil fertility.

The following is taken from information agreed with DEFRA and the Environment Agency:

‘There are known to be widespread concerns that the RB209 recommendations for winter wheat are too low for high yielding crops, and this question will be addressed when RB209 is revised. The current edition of RB209 allows for grain N/protein% information for previous crops to be used to adjust the recommended N rate. Since higher yields will generally result in a lower grain N/protein content, these adjustment factors can be used to justify the use of higher N rates where appropriate.

RB209 says (page 78) – ‘The grain nitrogen concentration at the economic optimum rate of nitrogen is about 2.0% (100% dry matter basis) for feed wheat and 2.2% N for breadmaking wheat. Where concentrations are above or below these values, fertiliser rates should be adjusted by 30kg/ha nitrogen per 0.1% difference in grain nitrogen’.

Some recent research evidence is also supporting a need to increase RB209 recommended N rates slightly where high grain yields are realistically expected’.

 

Take advice from a qualified FACTS advisor.

Timing of Nitrogen Application

Correct timing of nitrogen makes a big difference. For most first wheat crops of Malacca, nitrogen should not be applied too early.  The majority of nitrogen is taken into a wheat crop in the six weeks around flag leaf emergence.

We recommend that the first split of approximately 50% of the total to be applied should coincide with the start of stem extension (GS 30), but not before early April.

The second split should be applied as late as possible up to flag leaf emergence (GS 47) but at the earliest not before second node (GS 32). 

It is particularly important not to rush out with the fertiliser spreader before April in early sown first wheats.  There is usually plenty of residual N which can be mopped up from the previous crop, and any early yellowing soon passes.

Timing and quantity of nitrogen must be based on individual crop needs.  Malacca is high tillering with a long period of winter dormancy and relatively early maturity.  Consequently the active growing period is shorter than for many other wheats.

Nitrogen Use

Use the tables below to estimate your nitrogen requirements according to yield expectation.  For every 1t/ha yield, approximately 26kg of nitrogen is required to produce 13% protein in the grain and account for the nitrogen remaining in the straw and root structure.

Confirm the soil indices appropriate for your crop based on field history, previous crop performance, soil type and rainfall.

Then calculate the appropriate rate of nitrogen.  Remember to account for the soil efficiency factor, figures for which are given in RB 209 page 14, and add to your application total.

A little N-starvation in March or early April can usefully reduce tiller numbers and the risks of disease pressure, lodging and poor specific weights in over-proud crops.

 

It is only in exceptional circumstances, where crops are backward coming out of winter that an early March application of nitrogen may be justified.

To ensure 13% protein

Nitrogen strategy for milling wheat should be tailored to achieve grain protein levels suitable for breadmaking.

An estimation of the yield potential of the field must be made in order to calculate the total nitrogen requirement.  If the potential yield is an under estimate, nitrogen will be diluted in achieving yield and not be available to create grain protein.

Total nitrogen removed in a crop at harvest to produce 13% Dumas protein at a range of yields

Crop Yield (t/ha)	8	9	10	11	12
Grain (kg/ha)	154	174	193	212	232
Straw (kg/ha)	56	63	70	77	84
Total (kg/ha)	210	237	263	289	316

Residual soil nitrogen must be deducted from the figures above to obtain nitrogen application rates. Soil type and structure should be taken into account. 

Nitrogen applied before April may not be effective in increasing grain yield and protein.  The above figures represent the minimum nitrogen required by the crop.

 

Late Season Foliar Nitrogen

An application of foliar nitrogen at ear emergence can boost grain protein. However, if adequate nitrogen has been applied to the crop between mid-April and mid-May and yield has been maximised, sufficient N will be available and a late foliar feed will not be necessary to obtain proteins of 13%. 

Malacca is a free tillering variety and high seed rates can result in shoot and final ear numbers that far exceed the optimum leading to low specific weights.

The specific weight is influenced by:

• number of grains m²

• leaf and ear disease

• wet conditions after ripening

Seed rates should be selected with the aim of achieving a maximum of 200 plants m² in the spring from conventional autumn sowing dates, or up to 250 established plants/m² from later sown crops.

 

Wheat Orange Blossom Midge

In the past few seasons Wheat Orange Blossom Midge (WOBM) has been a major pest in the UK, particularly in the East and South of England.  Left uncontrolled, it can have a devastating effect on grain quality, particularly specific weight and HFN.

No known resistance to WOBM is available in any milling wheat, therefore correct use and timing of approved insecticides is essential, where thresholds are reached, to ensure milling quality is achieved.

 

To Summarise………..Timing is important

To obtain the maximum premium for Malacca you need the full milling specification, which is:

• 76 kg/ha specific weight

• 13% protein

• >250 Hagberg Falling Number.

To ensure high specific weight

Avoid lodging

• use appropriate seed rates for sowing date

• use CCC at GS31 and control eyespot if the crop is at risk.

Avoid thick, lush crops

• avoid applying N before April in first wheats

• aim for ear numbers between 600-650/m².

Maximise the length of grain fill

• use high N rates in April and May

• protect upper leaves and ears with a well structured fungicide programme.

Harvest grain early

• start harvest when moisture first reaches 18%

• Malacca dries very quickly at the finish; it is usually riper than you think.

 

To ensure 13% protein

Apply enough N

• relate N used to yield potential of the crop

• relate applications to N levels available from soil.

Time N correctly

• do not use more than 50kg N before April

• split the main dose between mid April and mid May.

Source of N

• if applying granular urea in May, be careful to avoid volatilisation

• consider 50 - 60kg of N per hectare as a urea spray in June.

 

To ensure >250 Hagberg Falling Number

Grow Malacca.  Malacca is reliable, has exceptional sprouting resistance and should easily exceed 250 Hagberg.

 

To ensure you keep it all:

Prioritise harvest and control Wheat Orange Blossom Midge.