Diagnosing seedbed constraints in narrow-leafed lupins and field peas

Seedbed problems include poor seed-soil contact, poor depth of seeding, and soil crusting.

 

Poor growth within and between seeding rows
Plant that has germinated within embedded stubble

What to look for

    Paddock

  • Uneven germination and stunted plants that often occur along drill rows, heavy stubble areas, or specific soil types.

    Plant

  • Reduced and/or staggered germination.
  • Smaller or stunted plants.
  • Poorly covered seed. Seeds germinating near the surface are more susceptible to fungal root rot.
  • Hairpinned stubble or other organic matter may be close to the seed.
  • Surface crusting can cause damage to seedling cotyledons and growing point

Where did it come from?

  • Air around the sown seed prevents it from absorbing moisture from the soil. Examples include:

  • Seed sown on the soil surface.
  • 'Hairpinning', where straw is pinned in the seeding slot, leaving air voids and increasing the risk of allelopathy.
  • Poor seed-soil contact from insufficient soil firming or poor coverage of the seed in the seeding slot.

Management strategies

  • To ensure sufficient seed-soil contact it is important the sowing machinery is designed to seed at a uniform depth and provides uniform soil cover.
  • Systems such as harrows and prickle chains are subject to variation in the soil surface. Press wheels offer increased control.
Source URL: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/mycrop/diagnosing-seedbed-constraints-narrow-leafed-lupins-and-field-peas
This print version was generated at 1:19pm on the 30th of April, 2024.
The original document was last revised at Wed, 06/05/2015 - 11:17am

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Important disclaimer

The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.