T RA D E N E W S
and 20°C.
The possible occurrence of late
frost on early plantings must also
be taken into account.
Utilise optimal planting con
ditions and use good, tested agro
nomic practices.
SPACING WITHIN ROWS
Plant population and row width
have an impact on spacing within
rows. However, equable spacing
is as important and double seeds
and therefore gaps, result in yield
losses. Cultivars can only com
pensate for gaps in the rows to
some extent. The simultaneous
germination and emergence of all
the seeds are important and a well
spaced plant stand forms part of
the foundation of successful crop
cultivation.
ROW SPACING
Row spacing varies between dif
ferent areas and between dryland
and irrigation cultivation. There
is a trend to narrow row widths to
decrease competition within rows.
The conversion of implements is,
however, expensive.
PLANTING DEPTH AND
SEED-SOIL CONTACT
Equable planting depth is import
ant to ensure equable germination
and emergence of plants and
unequable germination and emer
gence also result in yield losses.
Planting depth and gauge wheel
settings have a huge impact on
the germination of seed. In order
for seed to take up soil moisture,
the seed must be in good contact
with the soil. If the pressure is
high, the soil will be too dense
and the seed will not emerge or
will result in compacted roots.
SOURCES:
• Mielie-inligtingsgids (MIG)
2016
• Dekalb Kultivargids 2011
Somer
•••
• •
• •
• https://www.cerealis.co.za/sin
gle-post/2017/06/29/Presisie-
Boerdery-is-die-TOEKOMS
• http://www.precisionplanting.
com/#products/deltaforce/
• http://www.grainsa.co.za/opti
male-plantdatum-onder-die-
loep (Oktober 2016)
• https://www.360yieldcenter.
com/
• PANNAR
Produksiehandleidingreeks
• http://www.ozonesolutions.
com/Ozone-Research/Ozone-
Treatment-On-Corn-Seed-
Germination-Kinetics
• http://www.arshanei.com/
maize/
• https://www.deere.com/en/
planting-equipment/
Gerrit Oosthuizen is a senior
agronomist at Senwes. Please
contact him for any enquiries at
(018) 293 1968 or 084 506 8791.
An e-mail can be sent to gerrit.
[email protected].
SENWES Scenario • OCT/NOV 2017
15