Yield potential and its realization
2001
Roostalu, H. | Astover, A. | Motte, M. (Estonian Agricultural Univ., Tartu (Estonia). Dept. of Soil Science and Agrochemistry)
Owing to the insufficient use of fertilizers the yield of the main field crops in Estonia is relatively low. The amounts of nitrogen fertilizers applied to cereals are more than 2-3 times lower, the amounts of phosphorus fertilizers 4-5 times lower and the amounts of potassium fertilizers 5-6 times lower compared with the respective amounts used in the other European countries. The average yield of cereals, potato and hay, harvested in Estonia in 1996-1999, were 1.76, 12.3 and 2.65 t ha (-1), respectively. The average yield of many years, obtained in variety comparison tests, is about 3.5 t ha (-1) for winter cereals, 4-5 t ha (-1) for spring cereals, 2 t ha (-1) for spring rape and turnip rape and 30 t ha (-1) for potato. In years favourable for plant growth the yield of cereals amounts to 6-8 t ha (-1), while in unfavourable years it may be even less than 1 t ha (-1). The yield of potato may vary 3-4 times depending on weather conditions, while the quality of the yield is as in the case of cereals. Of the yield potential of grasses, which is 80-100 GJ ha (-1), only 20-25 per cent are utilized at present. In the case of cereals and potato the share of the utilized yield potential is approximately 40 per cent
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