Seedbed Preparation, Field Scores, and the Impact on Establishment
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Seedbed Preparation, Field Scores, and the Impact on Establishment

Setting a crop up to achieve maximum yield potential starts with excellent seedbed preparation and plant stand establishment.

FIELD CONDITIONS

In order to get the crop off to the best possible start, it is critical that the seedbed is in optimal shape and condition. To achieve a successful, uniform establishment:

  • The field needs to be uniform
  • The stubble needs to be broken down or incorporated and removed from the planting line
  • The seedbed needs to be free of weeds
  • The soil tilth needs to be fine to enable good seed to soil contact
  • The seedbed needs to be firm but not compact

It is critical that the field is of uniform grade and free of low spots that will cause water to pond. Adequate drainage in terms of slope and infrastructure is essential to get water on and off fields quickly. Getting water on a field and off again is critical in an irrigated cropping situation.

FIELD SCORES (IRRIGATED COTTON)

The following images provide an excellent visual example of our field score ratings for the best possible plant stand establishment and the results of our extensive trial  program as it relates to seedbed conditions and average plants stand achieved.

Field Score 1 - Average plants stand achieved 79%.

Field Score 1 – Average plants stand achieved 79%.

Field Score 2 - Average plants stand achieved 75%.

Field Score 2 – Average plants stand achieved 75%.

Field Score 3 - Average plants stand achieved 72%.

Field Score 3 – Average plants stand achieved 72%.

Field Score 4 - Average plants stand achieved 70%.

Field Score 4 – Average plants stand achieved 70%.

Field Score 5 - Average plants stand achieved 68%.

Field Score 5 – Average plants stand achieved 68%.

There are many factors that can influence a cotton plant stand. It all starts with seedbed preparation.

© Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd 2022. General guide only; not comprehensive or specific technical advice. Circumstances vary from farm to farm. To the fullest extent permitted by law, CSD expressly disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information, statement or opinion in this document or from any errors or omissions in this document. Roundup Ready Flex®, Roundup Ready®, Bollgard II® and Bollgard® 3 are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technologies LLC, used under licence by Monsanto Australia Ltd. Insect control technology incorporated into these seeds is commercialised under a licence from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Sicot, Sicala, Siokra and Sipima cotton varieties are a result of a joint venture research program, Cotton Breeding Australia, conducted by CSIRO and Cotton Seed Distributors Ltd (CSD). CSD is a partner in the CottonInfo joint venture, in partnership with Cotton Research Development Corporation and Cotton Australia.