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Two U of M wheat studies relevant to spring planting The
Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council holds an annual research reporting session, to brief producers and the public about crop research projects in the region supported in part by the Minnesota wheat
checkoff. The booklet "1999 Wheat Research Review" details these projects and is available at no charge by contacting the MWRPC at 1-800-242-6118. Following are two research projects funded by the MWRPC
relevant to spring planting: Effect of seeding rate, row spacings What impact does seeding rate and row
spacings have on the flowering period, deoxynivalenol (DON, or vomitoxin) concentration, and percent scabby kernels in hard red spring wheat? Further, is there a grain yield advantage associated with seeding wheat in
narrow rows?George Nelson, a crop scientist with the West Central Research and Outreach Center in Morris, MN, is conducting a study to find out. Seeding rates of 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 lbs/ac in narrow
row (3.75 inch) and conventional row (7.5 inch) row spacing were compared for scab indicators and agronomic differences. Results in 1999 (the first year of the study) indicate that flowering appears to begin
slightly earlier at higher seeding rates, but the length of the flowering period is not influenced. Row spacing had no effect on flowering. The low incidence of scab last year handicapped the ability to
evaluate the effects of seeding rate and row spacing on DON and scab. Seeding rate did increase grain yield at one test site (90# and 120#) but not the other. Row spacing did not influence grain yield
significantly, although increases in plant population, early tiller number, and harvest population were associated with the use of narrow row over conventional row widths. Effective wheat fertilization with air seeders Air-seeder technology allows several seed-fertilizer placement options
in a single pass across the field. However, what impact will placement of nitrogen (urea) with or near seed have on production? Further, are standard phosphorus recommendations for typical fertilizer and seed
placement adequate for air-seeder seed-fertilizer placement strategies?University of Minnesota crop scientists Albert Sims and George Rehm are evaluating these questions in research at the Northwest Experiment
Station near Crookston, MN. A clear conclusion from the three-year N study: There is a greater chance of decreased seedling emergence when N is mixed and placed together with the seed, as compared to when the seed
and fertilizer are separated. Grain yields when seed and fertilizer were mixed averaged about four bushels less in the plot trials than when the seed and fertilizer were separated. There was no difference in grain
protein. The extent of the seedling emergence reduction may vary with the seed-fertilizer placement band width. A microplot experiment was conducted in 1999 where seed-fertilizer placements treatments were done
by hand on a small scale. Treatments included 5 rates of fertilizer P as a normal broadcast and incorporation prior to planting, with the seed in narrow rows (about one inch wide), and with the seed in 6, 10, and
14 inch wide bands. Similar grain yields and P uptake occurred in the narrow row and broadcast and incorporation treatments, but half the amount of fertilizer P was required in the narrow rows. In the broad band
treatments, grain yields and P uptake increased over the entire range of applied fertilizer, but at different levels. Grain yields and P uptake increased with increasing band width, which was not related to
fertilizer P application. This response may be due to increased tillering and the plants ability to compensate in thinner stands, says Sims. The fertilizer P study will be repeated this summer. |
