Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 1 Wheat Planting Presentation by: Chad Lee, Grain Crops Extension Specialist University of Kentucky

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 2 Most of the information comes from: ID-125: A Comprehensive Guide to Wheat Management in Kentucky

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 3 Objectives Planting Guidelines –Date –Depth –Rate

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 4 Three Critical Management Issues 1.Seeding: Date, Depth, Rate 2.N Rate and Timing 3.Fusarium Head Blight

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 5 Planting Dates Planting date is often dictated by weather or harvest of a previous crop. –One week before to one week after the expected first fall frost. Compromise between early planting and late planting. –Early: ensures adequate fall growth. –Late: decreases disease and insects infestations.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 6 Planting Dates Illinois: Ideal is 1 st 10 days following Hessian fly-free date. –Plant no later than 1 month after the fly-free date. –Planting would begin late Sept. to mid- Oct depending on Hessian fly-free date. Optimal planting date for Kentucky is October

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 7 Planting Dates Earlier Plantings Higher fall disease incidence –Take-all, wheat streak mosaic virus, blights –Barley Yellow Dwarf (aphid problems) Greater risk of Hessian fly Potential for excessive fall growth –More winter injury –Greater risk of spring freeze damage

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 8 Planting Dates Later Plantings Crucial period for fall growth is diminished. –Reduced tiller development. Reduced winter survivability. –More prone to heaving (less root development) Stands are reduced. Delayed maturity. Reduced yield potential.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 9 Planting Date Effect 10/2610/0611/1512/05

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 10 Planting Depth 1½ inches deep (adequate soil moisture). Plant slightly deeper in dry soils.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 11 Planting Depth Deep plantings –Delayed emergence –Reduced plant vigor. Too much energy lost in emergence. –Reduced stands. Limited elongation of coleoptile (2-3 inches). –Reduced tillering.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 12 Planting Depth Shallow plantings (< ½ inch) –Poor germination and uneven emergence (dry soil). –More winter injury (crown above soil surface). –More susceptible to heaving (shallow root system).

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 13 Planting No-Till Uneven crop residue distribution results in uneven planting depth. Heavy crop residue often results in poor soil penetration and shallow seed placement. Be sure to have drill settings adjusted for no-till.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 14 Wheat Seeding Depth Seeding Depth (inches) Stand Count (plants/ft 2 ) % Stand Achieved – – Stand counts taken in mid-November. Seeding rate of 35 seeds/ft 2.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 15 Wheat Row Width Study Row Width Wheat Yield (bu/A) Yield Difference Broadcast87+4% 4.75 inches91+8% 7.0 inches inches77-8% 1984, Tyler wheat was used, Princeton, KY

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 16 Importance of Wheat Seeding Rates High Seeding RatesLodging More Disease Higher Seed Costs Low Seeding RatesLess than optimum yield More weed pressure Excessive tillering No flexibility for plant loss

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 17 Seeding Rates Seeding Rate Goal –30 to 35 seeds/ft 2 (270 – 315 seeds/yd2) –1.52 million seeds/acre Minimum Optimum Stand Needed –25 plants/ft 2 (225 plants/yd 2 ) with 2 to 3 primary stems/tillers per plant –60 – 70 heads/ft 2 ( heads/yd 2 ) –35 kernels/head (16-18 spikelets/head) –1.1 million plants/acre

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 18 Estimated Yield Potential % StandPlants/ft 2* % Yield Potential ** * Multiply by 9 for plants/yard 2. ** This is an estimate and other factors can alter these estimates.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 19 How to Determine Wheat Seeding Rates Methods Used: –Volume or weight –Number of seeds/unit area (sq. ft. or linear foot) Which is Best? –Greatest accuracy achieved with seeding rates based on number of seeds/unit area

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 20 How to Determine Wheat Seeding Rates Why Seeds/Unit Area –Differences in seed size –Range from 10,000 seeds/lb (large seed) to 20,000 seeds/lb (small seed) –One seed (large or small) is one seed. –One pound is ???? Seeds.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 21 Wheat Seed Size Determinations Factors that affect wheat seed size: –Variety (very important). –Great differences occur. –Environment where wheat grown Year to year differences with same variety Different locations in same year.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 22 Wheat Seed Size Determinations Know the seed size of wheat seed being planted: –Stated on seed tag. –Can determine if not known. No. of seeds weighed Weight of seeds (lbs) = seeds/pound 1,000 seeds 0.08 lbs = 12,500 seeds/pound 1 lb = 454 g = 16 ounces

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 23 Importance of Wheat Seed Size Volume difference if seeding rate is 35 seeds/ft 2. Variety A (large seeds) 10,000 seeds/lb = 152 lbs seed/acre needed Variety B (small seeds) 18,000 seeds/lb = 85 lbs seed/acre needed Volume difference is 67 lbs (1 to 1 ¼ bags)/acre.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 24 Importance of Wheat Seed Size Same seeding rate of 110 lbs/acre. Variety A (large seeds), 10,000 seeds/lb 42 lbs/acre short of what’s needed Rate of only 25 seeds/ft 2 Stand of ~ 20 plants/ft 2 (< optimum) Variety B (small seeds), 18,000 seeds/lb 25 lbs/acre more than what’s needed Rate of 45 seeds/ft 2 Stand of ~ 35 to 40 plants/ft 2 (> optimum)

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 25 Effect of Wheat Seed Size on Seed Costs VarietySeed Size Volume RateSeed Cost (seeds/lb)(lbs/A)($/A)(Difference) A (large)10, B (small)18,

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 26 Wheat Seed Size If adjustments not made for wheat seed size or the drill is not calibrated for accuracy. –Not sure of number of seeds planted –Estimated guess –Stand could be too thick or too thin –Overcome limited stands is difficult

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 27 Wheat Seed Size Seed size and seed rate allows us to calculate total seeds needed. 35 seeds/ft 2 x 43,560 ft2/acre = 1,524,600 seeds/acre 1,524,600 seeds/acre / 13,000 seeds/lb = 117 lbs/acre

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 28 Seeding Rate Determinations Needed for Drill Calibration 1)Decide on seeding rate desired per ft 2 Optimum rates are seeds/ft 2 2)Know row width of drill 3)Determine linear length of row that is equivalent to one ft 2 (144 in 2 ) for row width being used. Obtain from a table Calculate: 144 in 2 / Row Width (inches) = Row Length Equivalent for 1 ft 2 4)Calibrate drill to deliver desired seeding rate (# of seeds) in row length equivalent to 1 ft 2.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 29 Seeding Rate Guide per Unit Area (ft 2 ) Based on Row Width and Row Length Drill Row Width Linear Length of Row Needed to Equal 1 ft 2 Seeds/Row Foot Needed (inches) 35 seeds per ft 2 30 seeds per ft

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 30 Determining seeding rate in seeds/row-foot at 35 seeds/ft 2* ROW WIDTH PLANTING TIME InchesTimely2 Wks Late1 Mo. Late * SQUARE FOOT OF ROW = ROW WIDTH = LINEAR DISTANCE OF ROW.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 31 Determining seeding rate in pounds/acre Seeds per pound Seeds/ square foot* (lbs/acre) , , , , , *Based on 90% or greater germination.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 32 Seeding Rate Guide per Unit Area (ft 2 ) Based on Row Width and Row Length Example: A.Target seeding rate = 35 seeds/ft 2 B.Drill Row Width = 7 inches C.For seeding rate of 35 seeds/ft 2, you need to calibrate a drill with a 7 inch row width to deliver 35 seeds in a 21 inch length of row (or 20 seeds per foot of row).

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 33 Adjusting Seeding Rate for Germination A.Adjust wheat seeding rates for germination, particularly if below 90%. B.Calculate germination adjustments by dividing the desired seeding rate (seeds/ft2) or (lbs/A) by the percent germination. = ADJUSTED SEEDING RATE Seeding rate desired (# of seeds or volume) % germination

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 34 Adjusting Seeding Rate for Germination A.Target seeding rate = 35 seeds/ft 2 B.In 7-inch rows (from Table) = 20 seeds / foot of row C.At 30 ft calibration distance (20 seeds/ft x 30 ft) = 600 seeds needed D.At 35 seeds/ft ,714 seeds/lb = 130 lbs/acre (continued) Example: using Pioneer 2555 with 11,714 seeds/lb and germination = 85%

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 35 Adjusting Seeding Rate for Germination (continued) Example: using Pioneer 2555 with 11,714 seeds/lb and germination = 85% Calculations adjusted for 85% germination. A drill set to any one of these calculations will deliver 35 live seeds per ft 2 based on a germination of 85%. 35 seeds/ft = 41.2 seeds/ft 2 20 seeds/ft 0.85 = 23.5 seeds/ft 600 seeds/ (30 ft distance) 0.85 = seeds 130 lbs/A 0.85 = lbs/A

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 36 No-Till Wheat Seeding Rates Light Residue Capable Drill Probably Not Heavy, Uneven residue Drill Problems Yes Should seeding rates be increased for no-till? If less than optimum planting conditions, increase seeding rates for no-till wheat by 10-15% (35-40 seeds/ft 2 ).

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 37 Plant Stand Establishment Plant stand establishment goal. –Plant sufficient seed to achieve optimum stand allowing for seed quality (germination), seedbed conditions (tillage, moisture) and possible losses due to pest and winter kill.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 38 Plant Stand Establishment Expected % Plant Stand Establishment % Plant StandSeeding Rate 30 seed/ft 2 35 seeds/ft 2 Established Plants/ft 2 90% % % or less21 or <24 or <

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 39 Estimated Yield Potential % StandPlants/ft 2* % Yield Potential ** * Multiply by 9 for plants/yard 2. ** This is an estimate and other factors can alter these estimates.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 40 Wheat Seeding Rate Study , 25, 35, and 45 seeds/ft 2 No-Till (NT) and Conventional (CV)

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 41 Wheat Seeding Rate Study Seeding Rate Seeds Drilled Fall Stand seed/ft 2 tillageseeds/ft 2 plants/ft 2 % 45NT CV NT CV Adjusted for 90% germination. Planted 10/12/98. Location: Caldwell County, Donnie Gilkey Farm.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 42 Wheat Seeding Rate Study Seeding Rate Seeds Drilled Fall Stand seed/ft 2 tillageseeds/ft 2 plants/ft 2 % 25NT CV NT CV Adjusted for 90% germination. Planted 10/12/98. Location: Caldwell County, Donnie Gilkey Farm.

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 43 Wheat Seeding Rate Study – 1999 Conventional Till Seeding Goal Fall Stand Head Count Grain Yield seeds/ft 2 plants/ft 2 heads/ft 2 per plantBu/Acre d68.2 c a c75.6 b ab b79.8 a ab a76.4 b b Adjusted for 90% germination. Planted 10/12/98. Location: Caldwell County, Donnie Gilkey Farm. Variety, Pioneer 2540 N = 100 lbs N/acre spring split (Feb 40 lbs; March 60 lbs).

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 44 Wheat Seeding Rate Study – 1999 No-Till Seeding Goal Fall Stand Head Count Grain Yield seeds/ft 2 plants/ft 2 heads/ft 2 per plantBu/Acre d68.6 d a c75.6 c a b81.4 b a a84.6 a a Adjusted for 90% germination. Planted 10/12/98. Location: Caldwell County, Donnie Gilkey Farm. Variety, Pioneer 2540 N = 100 lbs N/acre spring split (Feb 40 lbs; March 60 lbs).

Chad Lee © 2006 University of Kentucky 45