Strategies for Early Season Growth

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Getting Started with Germination

Good germination sets the stage for success throughout the plant's lifecycle. Germination is the process that starts the plant emerging from the seed coat. It begins when the seed starts to uptake water, sometimes up to 50% of its weight, and limited water can slow or even stop the process.

During germination, the root at the tip of the seed emerges, and the early plant growth will push towards the soil surface and in the opposite direction of the root. The early roots that emerge next will start the plant on its hunt for the energy, water and nutrition it needs to grow and thrive.

Soil temperature can also influence germination. Corn and beans germinate at 50 degrees Fahrenheit; however, emergence can take longer if soil temperatures fall after planting.

What Makes for Good Germination?

Adequate soil moisture and ideal soil temperatures are significant drivers of successful germination. Achieving good soil moisture can be complicated; checking for it at the proper soil depth and then planting to that depth is critical. Corn requires a minimum of a 1.5-inch depth to let the first nodal roots establish beneath the soil, protecting standability and nutrient uptake. Soybeans are more flexible, and a 1-inch depth is adequate. Shallow planting can lead to uneven emergence because of greater moisture variability at the surface. For the most uniform emergence, it is recommended to plant as deep as your soil type will safely permit.

Seed germinating in soils that are too cool – less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit – can be delayed or damaged by the lower temperatures.

A crop also needs readily available nutrition to support early growth. While various macro and micronutrients are crucial in germination, some play their most significant role in early development. Nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and manganese are all essential to early root and shoot growth and plant vigor. After germination, young seedlings need help bridging the gap between what the seed contents provide and what the roots can access. So, providing nutrients right where those early roots will grow can be especially beneficial.

The Impact of Uneven Emergence

Uneven emergence occurs when seed is planted in less-than-ideal conditions, causing plants to break through the soil at different times. This leads to the later-emerging smaller plants competing for resources with the earlier-emerged plants. This difference in size and growth often means that the later emerging plants have lower yields — impacting the success of the entire field.

Most cases of uneven emergence are caused by varying soil moisture levels in the seedbed at and immediately after planting. Variations in soil temperature can also lead to uneven emergence. This often occurs when the crop residue remaining in the field isn’t spread evenly, causing the spots with lighter cover to warm up more quickly than those with heavier residue. Inconsistent planting depth can also cause plants to sprout at different times, making properly calibrated planting equipment essential.

Overworked or improperly worked soils can also impact the seed’s ability to germinate and emerge. Cloddy soils can lead to improper seed-to-soil contact, minimizing the seedling’s ability to access moisture and nutrients. In contrast, crusted soils limit the plants’ ability to pop through the ground easily.

How Farmers Can Encourage Consistent Emergence

Avoid excessive tillage that can lead to cloddy or crusted soils.
Adjust harvest, tillage and planting equipment to distribute residue evenly over the field.
Use a seed lubricant to encourage consistent spacing, depth and uniform planting.
Ensure the seedling has the nutrients needed for a strong start in various conditions.

Planting into Cool, Wet Conditions

To germinate and emerge consistently, corn and soybeans need the right conditions to be in place. As mentioned above, adequate soil moisture and temperatures are always crucial for farmers to consider, and properly worked soil with limited clodding, crusting and compaction is also essential.

Another area that can limit a crop’s early growth is cool, wet soils. Injuries from cold conditions – such as imbibitional chilling and corkscrewing – can reduce stand establishment and a lack of early-season vigor. Cold, wet soils can also limit the plant’s ability to access certain nutrients. Cold conditions can restrict the movement of nutrients essential for early success – such as phosphorus and zinc.

What Can You Do?

Planting into proper soil temperatures and ensuring adequate moisture can help drive consistent germination and emergence. Farmers can also choose a product that provides nutrients the plant needs for early growth – such as nitrogen, phosphorus, zinc and manganese – right on the seedcoat where the seedling can access it early. This means that even in colder conditions where nutrients are limited, the seed can get started on reaching for the water and nutrients it needs to thrive.

Understanding PROTIVATE^™ and Its Place in a Farmer’s Toolkit

PROTIVATE^™ is a dual-purpose seed enhancement that replaces seed flow agents such as talc and graphite while supplying nutrients directly to the seed.

“For us, it’s about better emergence, which leads to bigger ears, which leads to increased yield,” said Seth Mangels, a third-generation farmer in Nebraska who uses PROTIVATE. “And PROTIVATE provided all of that.”

PROTIVATE is an excellent tool for farmers looking for a early-season edge that leads to success at all stages. The product contains plant-available phosphate, which is essential for early growth and also provides a significant percentage of the micronutrients the plant needs in season.

“We completely replaced our graphite with PROTIVATE and got the added benefit of nutrients placed right on the seed,” said Mangels. “PROTIVATE provides the nutrients in an environment where they are accessible to the plant.”

By placing PROTIVATE right where the seed needs it, when it needs it, PROTIVATE helps farmers work within the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship — applying the right fertilizer source at the right rate, the right time and the right place.

To learn more about the PROTIVATE lineup, visit ProtivateSeedNutrition.com or contact a local KAS sales representative.

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