Observation from an unrelated field bean experiment indicated that certain seed orientations might reduce emergence. Consequently, studies were initiated to determine if orientation variations occur in planting and if these variations influence emergence.
Orientation of bean seeds, dropped into both “V” and flat‐bottom furrows, were classified and tabulated. In “V” furrows almost all orientations were possible; 36% assumed the “lay‐flat” orientation. In the flat‐bottom furrow 85% of the beans were in the “lay‐flat” position. The influence of 11 different seed orientations on emergence was evaluated in greenhouse studies. With crusted soils seeds planted “hypocotyl end down” produced significantly less emerged seedlings (1% level) and a lower emergence rate. Orientation effects were observed to a lesser degree in noncrusted soils.
The adverse influence of “hypocotyl end down” orientations was attributed to seed rotation within the soil. For controlled plantings the “lay‐flat” orientation is recommended due to both its high frequency of occurrence and high emergence.
A line source sprinkler was used to irrigate corn (Zea mays L.) plots with potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)‐processing wastewater in 1979, 1980, and 1981. Nitrogen applications ranged from about 4 to 600 kg/ha. Corn yields were measured for each row, the grain and stalks were analyzed for total N, and N uptake was calculated. The plots were split by years, one‐third of the area was fertilized with wastewater 3 y, one‐third 2 y, and one‐third 1 y. This allowed evaluation of current and residual value of wastewater fertilization. Corn responded well to wastewater fertilization, with N applications in the wastewater increasing corn yields with increasing increments of N up to about 200 to 250 kg/ha annually, and corn grain yields ranged up to about 12 Mg/ha. Yield comparisons were made with plots fertilized with ammonium nitrate fertilizer. We determined that potato‐processing wastewater N was almost equal to ammonium nitrate N for growing corn. Wastewater applications that will apply approximately 200 to 250 kg N/ha annually should be optimum for growing corn on this soil. Wastewater N from potato processing has good residual and carry‐over for 1 y but under conditions of this experiment did not carry over for more than 1 y. Whether the excess N was lost from denitrification or leaching was not determined.
A power-driven undisturbed soil core sampler was designed to obtain undisturbed soil cores from a much greater depth than the original hand-operated sampler.
Recent observations from an unrelated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) field experiment indicated a possible relationship between emergence and seed orientation. To test the benefits of a “lay flat” orientation, a furrow opener was developed that horizontally orients bean seeds at uniform soil depths. Beans planted through this furrow opener emerged through the soil crust sooner and in significantly greater numbers than did those planted with a standard two‐disk furrow opener. Oriented and un‐oriented plantings of dry and snap beans did not differ in final total emergence. Nevertheless, early snap bean yields were greater from the seed‐oriented plots. Increased yield was due to earlier emergence, and uniform depth of planting. On uncrusted soil, seed orientation did not significantly increase dry bean yield.
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