Lecture 13 - Forage Establishment

Question 1

why are perennial forage crops more difficult to establish than other field crops

Answer 1

• small seed/seeding depth
• low seedling vigour
• need year just to establish
• poor uniform seed distribution
• poor weed competition during establishment year

Question 2

cause of failure of forage seedling at germination

Answer 2

insufficient oxygen and moisture
scarification requirement

Question 3

cause of failure of forage seedling after germination

Answer 3

• drying before sufficent root formation
• undesirable soil pH and drainage
• competition
• insects and diseases
• winter kill

Question 4

seedbed preparation for forages

Answer 4

• firm seedbed
• weed free seedbed (1-2yrs

Question 5

why is pre seeding weed control important in forages

Answer 5

no in-crop control options once forage has established

Question 6

what method can help reduce weed pressure

Answer 6

repeated clipping/mowing

Question 7

the cause of many seeding failures is __________

Answer 7

seeding to deep

Question 8

what happens if seeding depth is too deep or too shallow

Answer 8

too deep: seedlings do not have enough energy to emerge
too shallow: germinated seed dries out

Question 9

best depth for seeding forages

Answer 9

1/2-3/4 inch

Question 10

pure live seed

Answer 10

germination rate x seed purity

Question 11

what is row spacing determined by

Answer 11

soil moisture and soil type

Question 12

certified seed

Answer 12

guaranteed cultivar characteristics, good germination and freedom from weeds

Question 13

common seed

Answer 13

no guarantee as to cultivar

Question 14

salinity

Answer 14

soluble salts in the soil

Question 15

what does species selection depend on

Answer 15

• soil type
• stand longevity
• end use

Question 16

seeding methods

Answer 16

• drills
• broadcast

Question 17

broadcast seeding method requires a ______ seeding rate by 25%

Answer 17

higher

Question 18

goal of timing of seeding

Answer 18

to have seedlings adequately established when stress periods occur

Question 19

what is the most common time of seeding

Answer 19

spring

Question 20

what is important to consider when seeding in late summer

Answer 20

seedlings must reach a stage of maturity to survive winter

Question 21

frost (dormant seeding of legumes

Answer 21

temperatures are low enough to prevent seed germination until the following spring

Question 22

fertilization of forages

Answer 22

• based on soil test
• N, P, K should be added in seeding (N more in grasses)

Question 23

_______ of stand is as important as seedling density

Answer 23

uniformity

Question 24

what is a good indicator of stand establishment

Answer 24

plant density

Question 25

what is a companion crop

Answer 25

an annual crop which is seeded at the same time as the forage crop

Question 26

benefits with companion crops

Answer 26

- economic return in year of seeding - weed control - erosion control

Question 27

problem with companion crops

Answer 27

- competition and lodging - shading and nutrient/moisture competition - yield suppression following year - poor stand establishment

Question 28

types of companion crops

Answer 28

cereal crops broadleaf crops

Question 29

_____ is the least competitive companion crop

Answer 29

wheat

Question 30

how to reduce competition from companion crops

Answer 30

- reduced seeding rate of companion crop - alternative row spacing - harvest early

Question 31

effects of companion crops in brown and dark brown soil zones

Answer 31

reduced forage yields as much as 70% in years 2 and 3

Question 32

effects of companion crops under irrigation

Answer 32

litte or no reduction of forage yields