Gnojidba pšenice i kukuruza

The professional-scientific paper Fertilization of Wheat and Maize by Prof. Dr. Sc. Sead Šestić—a prominent Croatian agronomist and plant nutrition expert from the Faculty of Agriculture in Zagreb—outlines agronomic guidelines for fertilizing these two key field crops. The work offers a detailed insight into the specific mineral nutrition requirements of wheat and maize under conditions of intensive agricultural production. It describes in detail the uptake dynamics of macronutrients (N, P, K) across various growth and development stages: from tillering and stem elongation in wheat to rapid growth and grain filling in maize. Special emphasis is placed on the correct dosage and timing of nitrogen application to prevent lodging in wheat and ensure high protein content, while the roles of phosphorus and potassium in root system development and drought resistance are defined for maize. The author explains the methodology for determining fertilization needs based on chemical soil analysis (the AL method) and expected yield. The paper provides practical recommendations for basal, pre-sowing, and top-dressing applications, highlighting economic viability and the need to protect the soil from excessive mineralization. It is considered essential reading for agronomists and crop farmers.