Page 28 - Green knowledge 2025

Photo: Silje Kvist Simonsen
Climate-resilient cultivation of winter cereals
In the ProHøst project, researchers from NIBIO have investigated how to achieve more
stable production and better quality in Norwegian winter wheat.
Winter wheat can produce higher yields than wheat
sown in spring, particularly under favourable and
stable growing conditions.
“An increasingly unstable climate is just one of the
challenges affecting wheat production,” Dr Annbjørg
Kristoffersen. She leads the ProHøst project.
Wheat varieties must meet the industry’s quality
requirements and be suited to grow under Norwe-
gian conditions. Since each season varies, it is not
always possible to achieve either an acceptable qual-
ity or successful overwintering. Part of the work has
therefore involved identifying and testing varieties
that are better adapted to Norwegian conditions.
Low temperatures and good light availability in
autumn increase the plants’ chances of surviving the
winter. Snow protects against cold, but if snow
remains for a long time on unfrozen ground, the risk
of fungal infection increases, particularly if the
plants are large at the onset of winter.
“Trials have shown that spraying in autumn to con-
trol snow mould can increase both yield and quality
in winter wheat,” says Dr Ingerd Skow Hofgaard.
Among the trials in ProHøst, minimal soil cultivation
was tested through strip tillage and direct drilling
when establishing winter cereals.
“Both methods produced good results and higher
yields than ploughing in most cases. We also see that
for good establishment it is crucial that the straw is
chopped and evenly distributed prior to sowing,”
says Dr Till Seehusen.
“Moreover – we see that the timing of when growth
ceases in autumn has shifted. Depending on condi-
tions, new recommended sowing times for winter
cereals have therefore been established, Dr Kristof-
fersen concludes.
Purpose: Collaboration: Funding: Contact: Achieve more stable production and better quality in Norwegian winter wheat.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Nofima, Graminor, University of Minnesota, University of
Hohenheim, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
The Research Council of Norway, Yara Norway, Strand Unikorn, Norgesmøllene, Fiskå Mølle Moss,
Felleskjøpet Agri, Felleskjøpet Agri
–
Department of Agricultural Policy and Market Regulation,
Norwegian Agro Machinery
Research Scientist Annbjørg Kristoffersen, Division of Food Production and Society.
Email: annbjorg.kristoffersen@nibio.no | Telephone: +47 406 30 331.
26