NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
May 7, 1998
This year many North Dakota farmers face dry surface conditions as they set about seeding their crops. Dealing with such conditions isn't easy, according to Duane Berglund, agronomist for the North Dakota State University Extension Service.
He suggests that, whether fields be dry or not, farmers stick as closely as possible to the recommended planting schedule for each crop. Late planting can sharply reduce yields of small grains, flax, corn, canola and mustard, especially in a year when temperatures are above normal and spring planting operations ahead of normal.
"Under dry seedbed conditions it is true that planting on schedule may result in uneven stands," says Berglund. "But this is preferable to planting too late. If rains do come later, most seeds will still germinate if adequately protected with a seed treatment. Some soil crusting could present a problem if seeds are slow to germinate, so farmers should be aware of this possibility."
To minimize dryness problems, Berglund suggests tilling at a shallow depth and cutting down on seedbed operations before planting. He also suggests using postemergence herbicides rather than preplant soil-incorporated herbicides that can cause additional soil drying and may not be as effective in dry soil.
"Plowpony press drill planting should be at a shallow depth," says Berglund. "Roots will not grow through dry soil even if seeds germinate. Use deep furrow drills when available to reach soil moisture. Small grains and flax can be drilled directly into standing sunflower stubble with disc opener drills."
A double disc drill, he says, is not as effective as a notill drill, a hoe drill or an airseeder in seeding to moisture in standing stubble. He suggests harrowing first and scattering the straw or previous crop residue prior to seeding.
"If newly emerged weeds are present, use a nonselective, burn-down herbicide before seeding," says Berglund. "Some residual weed control may be present from dinitroaniline herbicides (Treflan, Prowl or Sonalan) used the previous year, but be ready to spray and control volunteer sunflowers as they emerge with the newly seeded crop."
Berglund offers 11 suggestions to minimize effects of planting into dry soils:
* Avoid excess tillage prior to planting. Each tillage operation causes soil moisture losses (¼ to ½ inch).
* Use shallow tillage (3 inches or less) to destroy weeds and firm the seedbed.
* Avoid use of premerge soil-incorporated herbicides on crops where postemergence herbicides are available and economical to use.
* Plant small grains directly into standing sunflower stalks, soybean, canola and dry edible bean stubble.
* Use deep furrow drills, if available, to reach moisture.
* Crops like corn, sunflower and dry edible beans can be planted deeper (2½ to 3 inches maximum) than small grains, flax, mustard, canola or buckwheat.
* In general, large-seed-sized varieties of wheat or durum can be seeded slightly deeper than small-seed-sized varieties.
* Seed treatments on small grains should be uniformly applied at labeled rates to maximize seedling emergence. Overtreatment on some seeds and little to none on others can cause erratic stands.
* If rains come after planting, watch for soil crusting. Break soil crusts with light harrowing or rotary hoe.
* Consider postplant applications of nitrogen in the form of urea if good moisture conditions develop later.
* If fairly good stands are established, but dry soil conditions continue, plan a good weed control program to help conserve soil moisture for crop growth and development.
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Source: Duane Berglund (701) 231-8135
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866