Impact of Nitrogen Fertiliser Application on the Grain Quality of Selected Winter Wheat Cultivars Used for Malt Production

The nitrogen fertilisation used and the wheat cultivar significantly affect grain quality, determining its suitability for use in malting and brewing. Nitrogen fertilisation at a dose of 60 and 80 kg N.ha⁻¹ used in 3-year field experiments had a positive effect on total protein content (10.6% dry matter and 11.2% dry matter, respectively), grain uniformity (84.8% and 85.9%, respectively) and germination capacity (94.8% and 95.1%, respectively). The average grain moisture content at harvest was 13.8%, while the bulk density of the grain was 68.4 kg.hl⁻¹. In canopy experiments, the average total protein content in wheat grain was 12.18% dry matter, germination capacity was 92.75%, and average grain uniformity was 75.45%. Based on the results obtained in field and canopy experiments, a nitrogen fertiliser dose of 60 and 80 kg N.ha⁻¹ and the Elixer, Gimantis and Rockefeller varieties are recommended for the production of winter wheat for malting and brewing purposes.