Abstract
Biostimulators combined with pesticides can reduce the need for chemical crop protection to yield healthy wheat with high grain quality and nutritional value. The goal of this four-year field study was an assessment of the effects of seven levels of sulfonylurea herbicide, morpholine and triazole fungicides, and humic biostimulator protection on concentrations of 20 amino acids (AAs) and on yield parameters under diverse climatic conditions. Application of pesticides and biostimulators reduced amino acid concentrations. Sulfonylurea applied alone reduced AAs least. Chemical (herbicide + fungicide) protection or its combination with humic biostimulator were the most effective strategies for increasing yield, thousand-kernel weight, spike number, grain surface area, and wet gluten. Reduced dosages of fungicides showed effects on AA content and crop parameter values similar to those of the recommended dosages of fungicides and are in line with the European Commission’s “From Farm to Fork” strategy. Humic biostimulators as agents supporting pesticide protection should be optimized for wheat growth stage to achieve the most desirable wheat parameters and implemented in agricultural practice.
