Planning very late wheat sowing this season. Not sure if normal seed rate is enough.
Should I increase wheat seed rate when sowing in mid-December and by how much?
RRajbir Dahiya8mo ago · 290 views
3 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓7mo ago
Yes, for late and very late sowing raise the seed rate by roughly 25 percent over the normal rate, because late crops tiller less and you need more plants per unit area to compensate. Many farmers move from the usual seed rate to a higher one for December sowing, along with closer row spacing of around 18 to 20 cm. Use treated, certified seed and adjust nitrogen so the crop matures before peak March heat. Seed rate needs vary with variety, seed size and germination percentage, so confirm with your KVK and check the germination on a test sample first.
SSuresh Dahiya7mo ago
I sow late wheat most years and I always add about a quarter more seed and tighten the rows. The extra plants make up for the poor tillering you get in cold December soil. Just make sure your seed treatment is done so the denser stand does not invite disease.
MMahabir Saini7mo ago
One thing that helped me with very late wheat was running a germination test first, because my saved seed was only sprouting around 80 percent. I bumped the rate up further to account for that on top of the late-sowing increase. Otherwise you think you raised the rate but the field still comes thin.