Seed Quality, Treatment, Rate, Depth, and Metering
In order to establish good plant stands, seed quality and seed rates are very crucial. Seed quality, treatment, rate, depth, and metering are important to enhance crop yields. This chapter discusses the enhancement of seed quality (through seed hydration,
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Seed Quality, Treatment, Rate, Depth, and Metering
Abstract In order to establish good plant stands, seed quality and seed rates are very crucial. Seed quality, treatment, rate, depth, and metering are important to enhance crop yields. This chapter discusses the enhancement of seed quality (through seed hydration, seed hardening, seed scarification, seed coating, seed pelleting, and integrated seed enhancement), seed treatment (to facilitate ease of sowing, pest management, and nutrient availability), seed rate (for stand establishment, to decrease the cost of seed, for weed control, and increase crop yields and higher benefits), and seed depth and metering (for precise placement of seeds and fertilizers for consistency in emergence of seedlings). The effect of drilling depth on seedling emergence of no-tilled wheat and lupine are also discussed. Keywords Seed quality • Rate • Depth • Placement • Treatment • Seed metering • Seed delivery • Seedling emergence
10.1 Introduction Seed is a ripe, fertilized ovule and a unit of reproduction of flowering plants. Seeds of superior quality are the most important inputs in agriculture. They are prerequisite for better crop production and productivity. Seed purity, viability, and vigor are the most important characters that determine the quality of seeds. Seed serves as a carrier of new technologies and act as a basic tool for secured food supply through increased crop yields.
10.2 Quality The seed quality is dependent on the following three main characteristics: • Varietal purity characteristics—true to its kind or variety • Seed lot characteristics—contain a minimum of impurities • Seed viability characteristics—have high germination and establishment rates in the field © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2016 P.P. Reddy, Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production, DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-2702-4_10
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10 Seed Quality, Treatment, Rate, Depth, and Metering
10.2.1 Varietal Purity Characteristics The genetic purity of the cultivar can be described by its physical, chemical, and crop characteristics. The physical characteristics of each variety such as specific length and width, shape, size, color, and aroma are tested by determining the 1000 grain weight and measuring color using the naked eye or a colorimeter. Several chemical tests such as alkali digestion color, gel consistency, amylase content, and brown rice protein can be used to differentiate between varieties. Normally, a crop variety always has the same plant growth habit, plant height, plant color, and time to maturity. However, slight variations are likely to occur particularly under unfavorable growth conditions.
10.2.2 Lot Characteristics The seed lot characteristics include the seed size; damaged, deformed, or diseased seed; and level of impurities. The quality seed characteristics are fullness and plumpness which means that the seeds have enough food resources to provide healthy and vigorous seedling growth. The good quality seeds should be free from mechanical injury (damaged, deform
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