Sowing and methods

Sowing and methods

1. SOWING Sowing is placement of seed in the seed bed at an appropriate depth where the soil environment is ideal for optimum germination and crop stand establishment. The turn planting is usually referred to placement of seedlings, cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, slips etc. in the seed bed for crop establishment. When nurseries are raised in separate nursery beds and planted in the main field, the term transplanting is used. Time of sowing: Optimum time of sowing for each crop has been well established, through many dates of sowing experiments for each of the agro-climatic zones in the country. Optimum time of sowing also varies with rainfall. Different cultivars of the same crop may respond to sowing dates differently .

2. SEEDRATE T he seed rate for a particular crop determines the final plant population density. Seed rate recommended for a crop should be taken into consideration, the germination percentage and its establishment potential. Seed rate can be calculated by a simple formula: Seed rate = 100 x T x 100 P x R PP x g where T= test weight in (g) P= plant spacing R= Row Spacing PP= Purity % g= germination%

3. or, P x T PP x g where P= no of plants m -2 T= Test weight PP = Purity % g = germination% METHOD OF SOWING Seeds are sown either directly in the main field or in a nursery bed where seedlings are raised and transplanted in the main field at appropriate age of seedling. 1. Broadcasting 2. Dibbling 3. Drilling

4. Broadcasting: I t is seeding of seed or operating of seed on the soil by hand. Relatively higher seed rate is required in this method. It is the cheapest method and followed in areas under un-irrigated conditions. Dibbling: I n this method the seeds or propagations are placed in a furrows, pit or hole at pre- determined spacing with a dibbler, planter or more commonly by hand. This method is suitable for crops requiring specific geometric area for canopy development and cultural operations. The seed rate is comparatively less and the crop stand establishment is uniform and adequate.

5. Drilling: Direct drilling of seeds is the usual method of seeding in dryland agriculture. Seed drills or ferti -drills are used for sowing.in dryland farming, drilling offers many advantages. Transplanting: I t is the removal of an actively growing seedling from one place (usually nursery bed) and planting it in the main field for further growth till harvest. Transplanting offers several advantages. Compact area of nursery bed management is easier compared to that of crop in the main field, adequate time for main field preparation, desired crop stands establishment can be obtained

6. Seed required/ha = P x T x (100-G) P x g x R Where P= no of plants/m2 T= test weight G= percent gap filling P= Percent purity g= germination% R=recovery of seedling from nursery bed. DEPTH OF SOWING Depth varies from soil surface up to 10 cm below Depth varies with seed size, soil texture, soil moisture and season.

7. PLANT DENSITY The number of harvestable plants per unit area depends on plant character and duration, time, method of rowing, fertility status of the soil. FIELD CONDITION FOR SOWING Seeds may be sown when the soil is dry like jute, sesame etc. When the soil has optimum moisture. W hen the seeding zone is in wet conditions. Pre germinated seeds or pre sprouted seeds like Berseem , sugarcane, black gram etc.