Efficacy of high seeding rates to increase grain yield of winter wheat and winter triticale in southern Alberta

McKenzie, Ross H.; Bremer, E.; Middleton, A. B.; Pfiffner, P G; Dunn, Robert F.; Beres, Brian L.

doi:10.4141/cjps06013

Cited by 12 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…For fall and spring density, respectively, a curvilinear and linear stand percentage decrease occurred as seeding rate increased. Reduced stand percentage is consistent with another study conducted in Alberta where spring stand percentage decreased as seeding rate increased (McKenzie et al, 2007).…”

Section: Winter Wheat Stand Establishmentsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…Although their results were reported on a volume basis, which can vary significantly with kernel size, shape, and weight, the rate was approximately twice that of earlier recommendations. McKenzie et al (2007) reported that increasing seeding rates to achieve a plant density of 350 plants m -2 was ideal for conditions in southern Alberta, particularly if seeding dates were delayed past the optimal window of sowing; that is, early-to mid-September. Th e greatest response to seeding rate was observed in conditions where moisture was not a limiting factor (Tompkins et al, 1991).…”

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confidence: 99%

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A Sustainable Management Package to Improve Winter Wheat Production and Competition with Weeds

et al. 2010

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A gronomy J our n al • Volume 102 , I s sue 2 • 2 010 649 1985-1986(StatsCan, 2007. Th e development of agronomic practices compatible with the new practice of direct seeding and reduced tillage was the main reason for the increased popularity of winter wheat. Research during the 1980s that identifi ed optimum seeding dates (Fowler, 1982(Fowler, ,1983a(Fowler, ,1986 and depth (Fowler, 1983b) encouraged the northward expansion of winter wheat production outside the traditional area of the Chinook belt in southern Alberta.Even though practices for the successful production of winter wheat were adopted, winter wheat cultivar choice for the prairies was limited mainly to two varieties, Sundance (Grant, 1972) and Norstar (Grant, 1980). Norstar, the newest cultivar at the time, had excellent winter hardiness but very weak straw strength. Th e lack of genetic improvements, limited market potential, and two successive years of severe winter kill led to a signifi cant decline in winter wheat acreage in the late 1980s.One agronomic practice not fully explored in studies during this time period for western Canada was the determination of optimum plant density for Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat or hard red winter wheat production. Early seeding rate recommendations paralleled those for spring wheat. Th e seeding rate recommended in a mid-1970s production guide specifi ed 67 to 78 kg ha -1 (< 200 seeds m -2 ) (Grant et al., 1974). Studies by Entz and Fowler (1991) and Fowler (1986) also used plant densities similar to or slightly less than these recommendations. Smid and Jenkinson (1979) recommended a higher seed rate during this period, but it was for a class of wheat (soft red winter wheat) in Ontario that possesses higher yield potential than hard red. A study conducted in the Netherlands reported that winter wheat grain yield was optimized with a plant density of 100 plants m -2 (Darwinkel, 1978).Th e potential for winter wheat to compensate for lower seeding rates or large reductions in plant density (Holen et al., 2001;Whaley et al., 2000) through increased tillering capacity may explain a reluctance to alter seeding rates. However, newer studies suggested that these rates did not fully exploit the yield potential of winter wheat. Lafond and Gan (1999) observed optimal yields at a seeding rate of 134 kg ha -1 . Although their results were reported on a volume basis, which can vary significantly with kernel size, shape, and weight, the rate was approximately twice that of earlier recommendations. McKenzie et al. (2007) reported that increasing seeding rates to achieve a plant density of 350 plants m -2 was ideal for conditions in southern Alberta, particularly if seeding dates were delayed past the optimal window of sowing; that is, early-to mid-September. Th e greatest response to seeding rate was observed in conditions where moisture was not a limiting factor (Tompkins et al., 1991). In an irrigated environment in Spain, Lloveras et al. (2004) observed a positive response in yield to seeding rates as high as ...

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Section: Winter Wheat Stand Establishmentsupporting

confidence: 80%

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confidence: 99%

A Sustainable Management Package to Improve Winter Wheat Production and Competition with Weeds

et al. 2010

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“…Plant density was significantly affected by row spacing and seeding rate, but not by the interaction of row spacing and seeding rate ( depend on seeding density, similarly to other cereal crops (McKenzie et al 2007). Further study is required on seedling establishment of corn, particularly in environments that are not conducive to full and rapid emergence of corn seedlings.…”

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confidence: 89%

Response of irrigated corn silage to seeding rate and row spacing in southern Alberta

Beres¹,

Bremer²,

Dasselaar³

2008

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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Beres, B. L., Bremer, E. and Van Dasselaar, C. 2008. Response of irrigated corn silage to seeding rate and row spacing in southern Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 713Á716. A field study was conducted to determine if high seeding rates were economically beneficial for irrigated corn silage production in southern Alberta. On average, 84% of seeds produced a plant, with 12% higher plant establishment in narrow (38 cm) than wide (76 cm) rows. Row spacing did not significantly affect yield, but maximum profitability was attained with a lower seeding rate for narrow rows. Whole-plant dry matter yields and net income were increased by 13% when seeding rates were increased from 64 000 to 74 000 seeds ha(1 , but were not significantly affected by seeding rates from 74 000 to 114 000 seeds ha (1 . The ideal seeding rate within this range may vary due to site specific conditions. Forage quality was unaffected by seeding rate.Key words: Corn, Zea mays L., irrigated silage production, quality, plant population, row spacing Beres, B. L., Bremer, E. et Van Dasselaar, C. 2008. Re´action du maı¨s d'ensilage cultive´avec irrigation a`la densite´des semis et a`l'e´cartement des rangs dans le sud de l'Alberta. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 713Á716. Une e´tude sur le terrain a permis d'e´tablir s'il vaut e´conomiquement la peine d'augmenter la densite´des semis pour produire du maı¨s d'ensilage dans le sud de l'Alberta. En moyenne, 84 % des graines donnent un plant et les rangs peu espace´s (38 cm) rehaussent l'e´tablissement des plants de 12 %, comparativement aux rangs tre`s e´carte´s (76 cm). L'e´cartement des rangs n'affecte pas significativement le rendement, cependant on atteint la rentabilite´maximale avec une plus faible densite´de semis dans les rangs peu espace´s. Quand la densite´des semis passe de 64 000 a`74 000 graines par hectare, le rendement en matie`re se`che de la plante et le revenu net augmentent de 13 %, mais on ne note pas de changement important quand elle passe de 74 000 a1 14 000 graines par hectare. La densite´des semis ide´ale dans cette fourchette pourrait varier avec les conditions propres au site. La qualite´du fourrage n'est pas affecte´e par la densite´des semis.

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“…Fowler (1986) also used plant densities similar to or slightly less than these recommendations. However, more recent research (Beres et al, 2010;Lafond and Gan, 1999;McKenzie et al, 2007) concluded that earlier recommendations from previous research and farmer practices that involved a sowing density around 200 to 250 seeds m -2 did not provide a consistent plant density nor could it readily achieve the yield potential of new cultivars. Adoption of more modern research recommendations has resulted in an increase in the industry standard practice to 450 seeds m -2 (Beres et al, 2010).…”

Section: Core Ideasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Winter Wheat Cropping System Response to Seed Treatments, Seed Size, and Sowing Density

et al. 2016

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Poor stand establishment resulting in lower yield is a major constraint to expanding winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) across western Canada. To address this issue, we conducted a study totaling 26 site‐years over three growing seasons (2011–2013) to observe crop responses to system manipulations involving seeding rate (200 and 400 seeds m−2), seed size as a proxy for plant vigor (light/thin, moderate, heavy/plump), and a dual fungicide/insecticide seed treatment, on crop establishment, yield, and seed quality. Fall and spring plant density was about 10 plants m−2 greater for heavy seed vs. light seed. Seed treatment improved fall and spring plant density slightly more than 10 plants m−2. The dual seed treatment improved yield and test weight for thin seed size. Hypothesized weakest agronomic systems (low seeding rate and untreated, light seed) that often included the 200 seeds m−2 seeding rate were the poorest performing (suboptimal responses and highly variable) systems; however, a favorable response to seed treatments allowed for partial compensation and grain yield comparable to systems with high seeding rates. Greater instability was generally observed in weak systems irrespective of seed treatment. The economic advantage of the seed treatment was more apparent with thinner winter wheat stands as it resulted in greater gross (CAN+$31 ha−1) and net (+$22 ha−1) returns. This study reaffirms the importance of a strong and integrated agronomic system and indicates seed treatments can help offset weak systems comprised of poor stand establishment and lower yield performance.Core Ideas Poor stand establishment resulting in lower yield is a major constraint to expanding winter wheat acreage across western Canada. Hypothesized weakest agronomic systems (low seeding rate and untreated, light seed) that often included the 200 seeds m−2 seeding rate were the poorest performing (sub‐optimal responses and highly variable) systems; however, a favorable response to seed treatments allowed for partial compensation and grain yield comparable to systems with high seeding rates. Winter wheat crop establishment and grain yield results indicated that producers that intentionally use low seeding rate should use a dual fungicide/insecticidal seed treatment; however, the inherent variability is not entirely overcome with seed treatment. Inclusion of a dual fungicide/insecticide seed treatment provided the highest gross returns for both levels of sowing density; however, the added input cost of the seed treatment relative to the magnitude of change for grain yield reduced overall net returns at the 400 seeds m−2 seeding rate compared to the check (–$11 ha−1). This study reaffirms the importance of a strong and integrated agronomic system and indicates seed treatments can help offset weak systems that tend to have poor stand establishment and lower yield performance.

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Efficacy of high seeding rates to increase grain yield of winter wheat and winter triticale in southern Alberta

Cited by 12 publications

References 14 publications

A Sustainable Management Package to Improve Winter Wheat Production and Competition with Weeds

A Sustainable Management Package to Improve Winter Wheat Production and Competition with Weeds

Response of irrigated corn silage to seeding rate and row spacing in southern Alberta

Winter Wheat Cropping System Response to Seed Treatments, Seed Size, and Sowing Density

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