Proper and balanced nutrition is essential for the efficient grain and fruit filling phase, ensuring satisfactory productivity and quality results in crops. It is in this final stage of the cycle that the plant directs most of the photoassimilates and nutrients to the reproductive organs, determining the weight of the grains. Performance during this period depends directly on the environment, water availability, and photosynthetic capacity. As nutrients are redistributed from vegetative tissues to reproductive organs, they support the metabolic processes that enable the synthesis of starches, proteins, and other compounds responsible for grain filling.
Unlike other productivity components, losses at this stage cannot be compensated for because, in soybeans, for example, the number of pods and grains per pod is already defined (Winck et al., 2025). For this crop, the period between flowering (R2) and the beginning of grain filling (R5) concentrates the highest rates of nutrient absorption (Bender et al., 2015). Although the average grain weight (AGW) is a characteristic influenced by genetics, it responds strongly to management and environmental conditions, such as water availability, fertility, plant health, and plant density (Pandey; Torrie, 1973), being reduced when limitations occur during this critical period (Novacek et al., 2013).
Among the most crucial nutrients for grain filling, potassium (K) stands out for its regulatory role in plant physiology. K controls water balance, stomatal opening, and carbohydrate transport, being highly mobile in the phloem and fundamental for the translocation of photoassimilates to the grains (Ross and Nogueira, 2001). Its deficiency reduces grain size, increases the proportion of shriveled grains, and compromises final quality (Malavolta et al., 1997; Silva et al., 2002). Magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) are also critical at this stage: Mg maintains photosynthetic activity during periods of high energy demand, while S participates directly in protein synthesis (Viecelli et al., 2017). Furthermore, calcium (Ca) and boron (B) contribute to the structural integrity and development of fruits, while zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mg) act in enzymatic reactions and carbohydrate metabolism, supporting reproductive metabolism.
Given the importance of nutritional balance in grain and fruit filling, complementary solutions with high metabolic efficiency become strategic. Among ILSA's products, ETIXAMIN Mega stands out, a natural source of rapidly absorbed amino acids (GELAMIN), composed of nitrogen, boron, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, molybdenum, sulfur, copper, and magnesium. The product contains 21 essential amino acids, favoring rapid nutrient availability, intensification of metabolic processes, greater accumulation of reserves, and consequently, increased weight and quality of fruits and grains. Because it is applied via foliar spray, it acts as a direct reinforcement to the nutrient supply precisely during the period of greatest physiological demand.
Another solution that contributes to improved grain and fruit filling performance is ETIXAMIN Kally, an organomineral fertilizer developed by ILSA. Formulated as a water-soluble powder and composed of nitrogen, potassium, and sulfur, the product is based on enzymatically hydrolyzed proteins, a natural source of organic nitrogen and rapidly absorbed amino acids. It can be applied via fertigation or foliar application, promoting accelerated and greater root development, as well as directly increasing grain and fruit filling and quality. Its composition favors the balanced supply of strategic nutrients precisely when the plant most demands metabolic and structural efficiency.
In summary, grain and fruit filling is a crucial physiological stage for crop performance, highly sensitive to nutritional balance and water and light conditions. To ensure this process occurs fully and efficiently, it is essential to adopt management strategies that provide nutrients at the right time and in appropriate forms. A well-planned nutritional management system, tailored to plant needs, combined with technically formulated inputs, such as the solutions developed by ILSA, allows plants to express their maximum productive potential, resulting in harvests with greater weight and quality of grains and fruits.
Bibliographic references
BENDER, RR et al. Nutrient uptake, partitioning: and remobilization in modern soybean varieties. Agronomy Journal, vol. 107, p. 563-573, 2015.
MALAVOLTA, E. et al. Evaluation of the nutritional status of plants. Piracicaba: Potafós, 1997. 319p.
NOVACEK, MJ et al. Twin rows minimally impact irrigated maize yield, morphology, and lodging. Agronomy Journal, v.105, n.1, p.268-605, 2013.
PANDEY, JP; TORRIE, JH Path coefficient analysis of seed yield components in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). Crop Science, vol. 13, no. 5, p. 505-507, 1973.
ROSS M., NOGUEIRA F. Nutritional aspects of high quality production of Arabica coffee. In: Horst WJ et al. (eds) Plant Nutrition. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences, vol 92. Springer, Dordrecht, 2001.
SILVA, EBS et al. Quality of processed coffee beans in response to potassium fertilization. Scientia Agricola, v.59, n.1, p.173-179, Jan./Mar. 2002.
WINCK, JEM et al. Ecophysiology of soybean: aiming for high yields. 3rd ed., Santa Maria: Editora GR, 2025. 688 p.
Authors
Agr Eng. MSc. Isabela Bulegon Pilecco
Agricultural Eng. Msc. Thiago Stella de Freitas
Agricultural Engineer Tuíra Barcellos
