Argentine Wheat Yields: Bridging the Gap Between Potential and Reality
Specialists at the Argentine Catholic University (UCA) have highlighted a significant gap between the potential wheat yields in Argentina and the actual amounts currently being harvested. Analysis presented at Expoagro 2026 indicates that rainfed wheat systems are currently achieving only 52% of their potential yield, presenting a substantial opportunity for improvement through refined agricultural practices.
Understanding Wheat Yield Potential
According to agricultural engineers Miguel Mac Maney and Horacio Repetto of the UCA’s Faculty of Engineering and Agrarian Sciences, wheat yield can be evaluated at three distinct levels: potential, achievable, and achieved. Potential yield is determined by factors like location, crop structure, sowing date and density, and the wheat genotype used. Achievable yield is limited by resource availability, such as water and nutrients. Finally, achieved yield—the actual harvest—is often most influenced by biotic factors, such as pests and diseases.
Optimizing Agronomic Management for Increased Yields
Mac Maney emphasized that many decisions that move production closer to its potential do not necessarily increase costs. “Planting on the correct date, with the appropriate genotype, has the same cost as not doing so. Using potential resources has no additional cost,” he stated. The current gap between potential and achieved yields in rainfed wheat is substantial, standing at 52%.
The technical objective, according to the UCA specialists, should be to approach 80% of the crop’s potential yield. This improvement hinges on better crop management practices.
Fertilization and Crop Management as Key Factors
Studies in key wheat-producing regions of Argentina point to fertilization as a primary limitation. In the core zone, the productive gap is largely linked to insufficient phosphorus fertilization. Beyond fertilization, other management issues contribute to lower yields, including inadequate selection of predecessor crops and infrequent fungicide apply. “We fertilize little, we do not choose the right predecessors and the use of fungicides remains uncommon. All of this together, with other factors, causes us to lose performance,” warned Repetto.
Favorable Conditions in the Last Campaign
Despite these challenges, the most recent campaign saw record average yields of 40.10 quintals per hectare, largely due to favorable weather conditions. These conditions included ample rainfall, maximum radiation interception during critical growth stages, moderate temperatures, and the absence of frost and fusarium during flowering. But, specialists cautioned that high yields can sometimes correlate with lower protein levels in the grain due to nitrogen dilution.
Tools for Improved Wheat Productivity
To enhance wheat productivity, the UCA specialists recommend utilizing modern agronomic models like Triguero 2.0 (developed by CREA) and models from the Fauba. These tools can optimize decisions related to nitrogen fertilization and nutrient replacement, alongside appropriate variety selection, optimal sowing dates, and continuous crop health monitoring.
UCA Participation in Expoagro 2026
The UCA presented these findings at Expoagro 2026, showcasing their research at stand numbers 12 and 13 within the AgTech pavilion [UCA].
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