Precision Mulching: Boosting Nutritional Content of Wheat Herbage through Timing and Application Rate Control

Wheat ( Triticum spp.) is one of the most diverse and substantial families, Poaceae, which provides about 20% of food energy and protein worldwide. Wheat is also highly palatable and an excellent digestible energy source for farm animals. This research examined the effects of different rates of mulching (3, 6, and 9 t ha⁻¹) and application timing (sowing, stem elongation and heading) on the macro (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and micro elements (Mn, Na, Cu, Fe and Zn) of durum wheat variety ( Triticum durum Desf.) and milk fever (Ca/P) and tetany (K/(Ca + Mg)) contents under Mediterranean ecological conditions. This study was conducted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications in 2016 and 2018. The study results revealed significant differences in the wheat macro and microelement contents, where the most effective mulch rates for plant nutrition were 3 and 6 t ha⁻¹. The highest positive correlations were observed between Ca and Mg, and Mn and milk fever. In contrast, Tetany, Ca, and milk fever had the most negative correlations, where Cu and milk fever also had a significantly negative correlation (p ≤ 0.01). Mulching increased the macro- and micro-nutrients of the wheat compared to the control at all application times.