Soybean Seed Quality Survey

During the past four years soybean acreage has nearly tripled in Kentucky to 1.1 million acres in 1973. Even though the total acreage has increased substantially, the average yield per acre has declined slightly during the same period to 28 bushels per acre in 1973. Why this low statewide average yield when we know that some Kentucky farmers consistently produce yields of over 40 bushels per acre? Many factors can contribute to this problem including; improper use of herbicides and pesticides, inadequate soil fertility, non-adapted varieties, low quality planting seed, and timely management of all production practices. The objective of this survey was to determine the varieties and quality of soybean seed being planted by Kentucky farmers in the major soybean producing areas of the state in the spring of 1973. To accomplish this, personnel were hired that lived in the areas and could readily travel to farms and collect samples at planting time

The Effects of Swathing Wheat on the Date of Harvest, Yield and Seed Quality

In 1975 approximately 350,000 acres were double-cropped using small grain and soybeans in Kentucky. Due to the low acreage of winter barley (48,000 acres) most of the soybeans were either planted by no-till or conventional means following winter wheat. The major problem with winter wheat in a double-cropping system is that the date of planting for soybeans is delayed. Research at the West Kentucky Experiment Station at Princeton indicates that this delay can reduce soybean yields from 7 to 11 bushels per acre depending upon the soybean variety used. The research at Princeton also indicates no reduction in soybean yields following Barsoy barley; however disease and winter-kill problems have reduced acreage in Kentucky in recent years. If barley fits the farming program, however, it could still be considered on part of the acreage double-cropped

Germination potential in monogerm seed of Beta vulgaris L.

The objective of this study was to investigate the low seed germination of 12 varieties of Oregon grown monogerm sugar beet, Beta vulgaris L., using several methods to determine the germination potential. The methods were: (1) X-ray radiograph examination, (2) standard laboratory germination following official rules, (3) laboratory germination by hydrogen peroxide method, and (4) field emergence. The X-ray technique was effective and accurate for determining the number of undeveloped seeds in the varieties examined. The use of this technique for determining germination potential is questionable at this time, since the abnormalities present in the seedballs could not be detected from the radiograph. The speed of germination, as well as total germination, was higher for the hydrogen peroxide method than the standard method. There was less difference between the two methods for those varieties having decorticated seed. The results of the hydrogen peroxide method compared more favorably with the field emergence results than did the standard method. The primary factors contributing to low laboratory germination were: (1) undeveloped seeds, (2) abnormal seedlings, and (3) firm ungerminated seeds. The undeveloped seed class included the completely empty seedball cavities and those seedballs having shrunken seeds. The abnormal seedlings were caused primarily by seed-borne pathogens and were most frequent in those varieties having natural seedballs. Abnormalities were higher when using the standard method than with the hydrogen peroxide method. The role of inhibitors, as determined by the number of firm ungerminated seeds, was minor for all the varieties except one. It was determined that of the three laboratory methods investigated, no single method would give an accurate estimate of the total germination potential of a variety. Therefore, either the X-ray technique or cutting should supplement one of the regular laboratory germination methods to gain additional information on the seedlot's potential

The Influence of Soil Temperature on Soybean Seed Emergence

The best way to obtain adequate soybean stands is to plant high quality seed in an optimum soil environment. But this year many farmers may not be able to obtain enough high quality soybean seed and some acreage may be planted with seed of lower than normal quality. Thus it will be even more important to have an optimum soil environment

Tips for Small Grain Seeding

TEST YOUR SOIL AND SUPPLY THE SUGGESTED LIMING AND FERTILIZER MATERIALS. A soil test is the first step to profitable small grain production. A pH of 6.0 to 6.5 is best, and nitrogen should be applied both in the fall and spring. If your small grains are part of a double cropping system the P and K requirements for both crops should be applied in the fall