Sowing and planting Flashcards
Explain the difference between germination rate and emergence rate ?
Germination rate:
- Percentage of germinated seeds
( Seeding machines should not harm seeds. Metering systems must be adapted to seed size, shape, etc.)
Field Emergence:
- Percentage of seeds showing up at the field surface as seedlings
(Germination rate is important. Soil seedbed condition plays a role: crumb size distribution, soil density, aeration, water availability etc.)
Explain the difference between bulk drilling and precision drilling?
Bulk Drilling:
- Mainly used but produce randomly distributed seeds within the row
- NOT an ideal seed spacing
- BUT more simple and robust, and affordable system
Precision drilling:
- Even seed spacing (normal distributed)
- Better depth control
- Lower capacity
- More costly
Describe the components of a mechanic metering unit
Picture
A precision drill is usually required for sowing which crops?
Maize (silage and corn)
Beet (fodder and sugar)
Vegetables (carrots, oignons, leek…)
Why do you grow carrots on dams/ridges?
Improved Drainage: Raised beds allow excess water to drain away more easily, preventing waterlogging, which can cause rot and disease in carrot roots.
Better Soil Aeration: The soil in raised beds tends to be looser and better aerated, providing a healthier environment for root growth and preventing compaction, which can inhibit carrot development.
Warmer Soil: Raised beds often warm up faster in the spring, allowing for earlier planting of carrots and potentially extending the growing season.
Reduced Weed Competition: By elevating the planting area, raised beds can make it more challenging for weeds to establish and compete with carrot plants.
Easier Maintenance: Working in raised beds can be more comfortable for gardeners, as it reduces the need for bending and stooping. It also makes tasks such as weeding, watering, and harvesting more accessible.
longer roots ?
Explain the pros and cons of Polyethylene Mulching?
Advantages:
- Earlier planting dates
- Soil moisture retention
- Weed management
- Reduction in the leaching of fertilizer
- Improved crop quality
- Reduction in soil compaction
- Reduction in root damage
Disadvantages:
- Cost
- Planting requires specialized equipment
- Environmental problems
Compare the mechanic drill with a pneumatic seeder
Not too sure about that one.. I guess the pneumatic system? Check images in the slides..
objectives of seeding
■ Incorporating seeds into soil
- Correct amount
- Same depth
- With the same spacing (row and seed spacing)
■ Two common standards:
Bulk drilling
- Cereals (wheat, rye, oats, barley …)
- Cruciferous crops (oil seed rape, mustard …)
- Leguminous crops (beans, lupine …)
Precision drilling
- Maize (silage & corn)
- Beet (fodder, sugar)
- Vegetables (carrots, onions, leek …)
■ Distribution of the seed on the area according to
defined seed volume / seed quantity
- Drill seeding
- Band placement
- Broadcast seed
Defined number of grains
- Precision planting, spaced seed
spatial distribution (across area)
■ Spatial evenness varies between different seeding principles
■ Even patterns result in more efficient use of growth resources:
- Nutrients
- Water
- Light
- Space (above and below ground)
- Less leaf and root zone overlap of neighboring plants
■ Even patterns increase the crop’s ability to suppress weeds
parameters to assess sowing operation
■ Germination Rate
- Percentage of germinated seeds
- Seeding machines should not harm seeds
- Metering systems must be adapted to seed size, shape etc.
■ Field Emergence
- Percentage of seeds showing up at field surface as seedlings
- Germination rate is important
- Soil seedbed condition (crumb size distribution, soil density, aeration,
water availability etc.)
vegetable production chain
■ Primary Cultivation
■ Secondary Cultivation
■ Bed systems (organized machinery passes)
■ Seeding (Precision Seeding)
■ Planting (Transplanting)
■ Weed Control
■ Crop protection (pests and diseases)
■ Irrigation
■ Harvesting (Green, root)
■ Pack houses (Cleaning, size grading, packing)
■ Conditioning and storage (Drying, cooling)
vegetable production chain Requirements
■ Vegetable crop must fit to soil type
□ Soil properties (texture, soil organic matter, water holding capacity,
topography etc.)
□ Technology (power and operational requirements)
□ Economics
■ Seedbed preparation (vegetables are less tolerant of poor conditions: grain crops
can compensate)
■ ”Vegetable cultivation needs special care”
■ Objective: Uniform and predictable crop (yield, quality, shape, color, taste etc.)
