Direct seeding

What it does

Direct-seeded plants can have problems in lodging, weeds, and uneven growth.

When planted too close to each other, plants can develop thin stems and possibly lodge. When planted with larger spacing or when there are too few plants, weeds can grow in between spaces and yield potential can be lost.

Why and where it occurs

Crop density is a problem of direct-seeded fields, especially when broadcast seeded. Crops can be surface-broadcasted (wet or dry), drill-seeded (using machines) or broadcast and incorporated when sown on dry fields. Pre-germinated seed is typically used when wet direct seeding.

Direct-seeded fields tend to have greater problems of lodging, especially when the seed is surface-sown. When seeds are broadcasted, fields can have patches of either too many or too few plants depending on the skills of the broadcaster and the soil conditions where the seed lands. Farmers often use high seed rates due to poor seed quality, to compensate for losses to rats, birds, and snails, and to increase crop competition with weeds.

Dry direct seeding  through broadcasting	Wet direct seeding using a drum seeder

How to identify

To identify if your field is not properly seeded, check if

• plant count is high (more than 250 plants per sq m) or if
• plant count is too low (less than 75 plants per sq m)
• crop growth is uneven across the field

High plant density can also result from high seed rates or uneven seed distribution in the field. Various problems can cause low plant stands. These are cloddy soil, seed too deep, soil too soft at seeding, heavy rainfall at seeding, soil crusting, poor seed quality, poor seed distribution, low seed rate, water stress, muddy water at seeding, clogged seeder and/or pests such as ants, birds and rats that remove seeds at planting.

To confirm the cause of the problem, ask the farmer about the seeding rate.

Why is it important

When plants are too close together the stems are often weak which may result in lodging and yield loss during heading.

When damage is important

When plants are too close together, the stems are often weak which may result in lodging and yield loss during heading.

Economic costs can be direct in terms of yield loss due to poor crop stand (too many or too few plants) or through the increased cost of seed when high seed rates are used.

How to manage

• For good planting or crop establishment, ensure proper flow of seeds, check seed drop during planting.
• After planting, ensure good water management and well-leveled water, especially in direct-seeded fields.
• Ensure appropriate seed rate with even distribution of seed
• Crop stand should be in the order of 100−200 plants per sq m
• Use seed rates between 40−100 kg per ha if other factors, such as pest problems and seedbed preparation, are not a concern