Buckwheat is a valuable crop with 15 species and ancient origins in Nepal and Northern India. Over time, it has spread across the world, and in Ukraine it has gained particular importance due to its nutritional and dietary properties.
Buckwheat seeds are used to produce groats, which are the basis for many healthy dishes, and also for fodder straw.
However, in order to ensure a high yield of quality products, it is important to follow the correct cultivation, harvesting and storage technologies. In this article, we will look at the main features of buckwheat cultivation in Ukraine.
Contents
Predecessors and place of buckwheat in the crop rotation
Buckwheat grows best on fertile, weed-free soils. Under favourable conditions, it produces high yields, but due to its unpretentiousness, it can grow even on poor soils.
Crops that do not deplete the soil and help kill weeds are the best predecessors for buckwheat. These include cereals and spiked crops, including winter cereals and legumes, as well as row crops such as sugar beet, potatoes and corn.
Different climatic zones of Ukraine recommend different approaches to the selection of predecessors. For example, in the Polissya region, buckwheat is best sown after potatoes, winter crops, flax and perennial grasses.
In the Forest-Steppe zone, it develops well after sugar beet, corn, peas or winter wheat. In the Steppe zone, winter wheat, corn, peas and gourds are the best predecessors.
Less suitable for buckwheat are spring cereals, sunflower and sorghum, as they deplete the soil and can promote the spread of weeds. Selecting the right predecessors is an important step in buckwheat cultivation technology, as it provides the plant with favourable conditions for development and yield formation.
Soil cultivation before sowing buckwheat
Good soil cultivation provides favourable conditions for seed germination and buckwheat development.
The main cultivation begins after harvesting the stubble precursors with stubble peeling with disc tools. The depth depends on the type of weeds: annual weeds – 6-8 cm, rhizome weeds (wheatgrass, pigweed) – 10-12 cm in two directions, root sprouts (thistles, spurge, field bindweed) – 12-14 cm with a mouldboardless ploughshare cultivator or flat cutters. 12-14 days after weed germination, the field is ploughed for winter crops with ploughs with skimmers to a depth of 23-25 cm, and on sod-podzolic soils – to a depth of 18-20 cm.
After harvesting late tilled crops (potatoes, beetroot) and in the absence of significant weed infestation, the soil is tilled with disc harrows or flat cultivators to a depth of 23-25 cm without preliminary peeling.
Spring cultivation begins with the closure of moisture by early spring harrowing, when the topsoil reaches physical maturity. Two cultivations are carried out: the first – by 10-12 cm, the second – by 8-10 cm, with an interval for weed germination. Pre-sowing cultivation is carried out at 3-4 cm, and in case of insufficient moisture, the field is rolled.
In arid regions or on erodible soils, flat-cutting is applied using deep rippers and flat-cutters. Snow retention is recommended to preserve moisture in winter.
Proper tillage promotes efficient buckwheat growth and ensures high yields.
Preparing buckwheat seeds
To obtain a high yield of buckwheat, it is necessary to use high-quality, well-prepared seeds. Before sowing, we carefully select the most complete seeds with a diameter of 3.5-4 mm, as they have high germination energy and ensure uniform and friendly germination.
One of the key stages of preparation is the treatment of seeds with fungicides. This procedure is aimed at protecting young plants from fungal diseases that can lead to lower yields and the development of pathologies during the growing season.
The treatment reduces the risk of infection with diseases such as root rot, fusarium and bacteriosis, which is especially important in conditions of high humidity.
In addition, to increase the resistance of buckwheat to adverse conditions, it is recommended to treat the seeds with special growth stimulants or microelements. This helps to strengthen the root system, improve germination and accelerate the initial phases of growth.
Well-prepared seeds are the key to friendly germination, uniform plant development and, ultimately, a stable harvest.
Sowing buckwheat
Buckwheat is sown when the soil warms up to +10-12°C at a depth of 10 cm and the threat of spring frosts disappears. Sowing dates differ in different climatic zones of Ukraine: in Polissya, the optimal period is in the first decade of May, in the Forest-Steppe – from late April to early May, and in the Steppe – at the end of April.
In Ukraine, buckwheat varieties of two morphotypes are grown: indeterminate (common) and determinate. Indeterminate varieties are more appropriate for small areas, while determinate varieties are recommended for large areas, as they are better suited to mechanised cultivation.
Sowing is carried out in two ways: conventional row or wide-row. In the wide-row method, the row spacing should be at least 45 cm, which makes it possible to carry out inter-row cultivation and increases yields. In the case of continuous sowing, the yield may be lower, but this method is used if it is not possible to maintain the row spacing.
The seeding rate depends on the cultivation zone: in the Steppe it is 2.0-2.5 million seeds/ha, in the Forest-Steppe – 3-3.5 million, and in Polissya it can reach 5 million. The depth of seed sowing varies depending on the soil type: on heavy and wet soils, it is 2-3 cm, and on light and dry soils, it is 4-5 cm.
To improve germination and protect against diseases, the seeds are treated with fungicides, trace elements and biological products that increase pest resistance before sowing. An important post-sowing agronomic measure is rolling and levelling the soil, which contributes to uniform seed germination, rapid emergence of seedlings and amicable ripening of the crop.
Caring for buckwheat crops
In order to obtain a high yield of buckwheat, it is necessary to ensure proper care of the crops throughout the growing season.
Buckwheat is sensitive to weeds, moisture fluctuations and adverse weather conditions, so it is important to apply a range of agronomic measures.
The main components of care include weed control, row spacing, fertilisation and protection against pests and diseases. A competent approach to buckwheat cultivation contributes to the uniform development of plants, improved pollination and the formation of a full harvest.
Tillage after sowing buckwheat
After sowing buckwheat, it is necessary to cultivate the soil to ensure favourable conditions for seed germination and plant development. One of the main problems is the formation of soil crust, which prevents air from reaching the root system and hinders emergence. To destroy it, use rotary hoes or light harrows, harrowing across the rows.
In arid conditions, especially in the steppe zone, post-sowing rolling is an effective measure. It improves seed contact with the soil, helps retain moisture and stimulates uniform germination, which has a positive effect on yields.
In the early stages of buckwheat development, when the first true leaf appears, cross-row harrowing is recommended. This procedure improves soil aeration, reduces weeds and promotes active plant growth. According to research by Lviv State Agrarian University, this measure can increase yields by 1-1.5 c/ha.
On wide-row crops, after emergence, the first inter-row cultivation is carried out with a USMK-5.4A cultivator to a depth of 4-5 cm. The second inter-row cultivation is carried out to a depth of 6-8 cm, which ensures the destruction of weeds and maintains the soil in a loosened state. After the rows are closed, inter-row cultivation is stopped to avoid damaging the plants.
Regular soil cultivation after sowing is an important condition for uniform germination, reduced competition with weeds and a high buckwheat yield.
Fertiliser system for buckwheat
The right fertilisation system plays a key role in ensuring high yields of buckwheat. It is important to choose the right fertiliser for this crop, as it is sensitive to its composition and method of application.
It is not recommended to use chlorine-containing fertilisers such as potassium chloride or potassium salt, as chlorine has a negative impact on buckwheat growth. Also, do not use anhydrous ammonia, as it destroys the entomofauna, which can impair pollination.
It is advisable to apply phosphorus-potassium fertilisers in autumn, and nitrogen fertilisers during the first or second spring cultivation. The optimal rates of mineral fertilisers for buckwheat are:
- Nitrogen (N) – 30-60 kg/ha
- Phosphorus (P) – 45-60 kg/ha
- Potassium (K) – 30-60 kg/ha
During sowing, it is recommended to apply phosphate fertiliser in the amount of 10 kg/ha in the rows. If the main fertilisation was not carried out, complex fertilisers can be applied at a dose of 20-30 kg/ha during the first inter-row cultivation.
Foliar fertilisation of buckwheat with boron fertilisers improves ovary nutrition and increases yields. The additional use of chelated fertilisers (organic compounds of macro- and microelements) can increase yields by another 10-25%, as such fertilisers are almost completely absorbed by plants. They are applied foliarly, sprayed on the leaves, at a dose of 1-4 kg or litres per hectare.
Bee pollination
Bee pollination is an important factor in buckwheat cultivation, as it directly affects the crop’s yield and honey production. Although some varieties, such as Dikul and Devyatka, are self-pollinated, they can still be used as honey plants, and additional bee pollination significantly improves the quantity and quality of the crop.
To ensure effective pollination, it is recommended to place apiaries near the crops at the rate of 2-4 bee colonies per 1 ha. The bees should be brought in 2-3 days before flowering, which contributes to maximum pollination and ovary formation. It has been proven that with properly organised bee pollination, buckwheat yields can increase by 3 c/ha or more.
The honey productivity of buckwheat depends on the variety, agricultural technology and growing conditions and can range from 60-100 kg of honey per 1 ha. The use of mineral fertilisers also affects this indicator, as they stimulate the release of nectar, which attracts more bees.
Thus, competent bee pollination is not only an important agronomic technique for increasing buckwheat yields, but also an effective way to increase the collection of quality honey.
Harvesting buckwheat
Harvesting buckwheat is a crucial stage that largely determines the quality and quantity of the crop. As this crop ripens unevenly, it is important to choose the right time for harvesting to minimise grain losses and ensure high quality.
The best time for harvesting is when 65-75% of the grains are brown, which is usually in August-September, depending on weather conditions, variety and sowing dates.
Buckwheat is harvested using two methods:
- Separate method. It is more widespread and efficient, as it allows us to harvest grain with high sowing qualities. Harvesting begins 8-10 days earlier than with direct combining. The mown buckwheat is left in swaths for 3-5 days until the grain moisture content drops to 15-17%, and the stems and leaves to 30-36%. After that, threshing is carried out.
- Direct combining. It is used for early maturing varieties that ripen more evenly. However, the grain after such harvesting usually has high moisture content, so it must be dried and cleaned to the established standards.
Buckwheat can take 25-50 days to ripen, depending on the variety. The grains on the lower levels are the first to ripen, and they are the most valuable in terms of quality. If the air humidity is too low (less than 40%), the weight of the grains stops increasing, and if the humidity is too high, the stems and leaves can remain too wet, which delays the harvesting process.
Before harvesting, it is important to wait until the swaths are dry and the moisture content of the stems and leaves is reduced to 30-35%. If the moisture content of the grain does not exceed 14%, it can be stored in heaps up to 1.5 m high. At higher moisture content, the grain must be dried further to avoid self-heating.
When buckwheat is harvested mechanically, grain cleaning machines are used to remove impurities and sort the grain. If the grain is not cleaned in time, it can quickly lose quality due to self-heating.
A well-planned and timely buckwheat harvest minimises losses, maintains high grain quality and ensures long-term storage.
Storage of the buckwheat harvest
To preserve the quality and sowing properties of buckwheat, it is necessary to maintain the correct storage conditions. An important indicator is grain moisture content, which should not exceed 15%.
Before being stored, grain undergoes several stages of cleaning, including preliminary, primary and secondary processing. This removes impurities, reduces the risk of self-heating and ensures long-term storage without loss of quality.
If the grain is intended for sowing, it is packed in cloth bags and stored in a dry, well-ventilated area. The bags are stacked in groups of eight on separate 2.5-metre-wide pallets to ensure air circulation and prevent mould growth.
Buckwheat can also be stored in bulk, forming layers over 2.5 m high. Compliance with all storage requirements allows us to preserve the buckwheat harvest without loss or deterioration in quality.
