ProCrop

Seeding Rate Calculator

Seeding rate is often treated as a constant within each crop, i.e. seed barley at 80 lbs/acre, and wheat at 90 lbs/acre. The down fall of this approach is, it does not take into account percent germination, seedling survival, and kernel weight of different cultivars. These factors can easily be included in calculations to determine an exact seeding rate for a specific crop cultivar. The following formulas can be used to calculate seeding rates of any crop for a specified plant density per square foot¹ or million plants per acre².

1. Determining seeding rate based on desired plants per square foot. Information needed: Desired seeding rate in plants/ft²

Seeds per pound (provided with all ND certified seed)

Percent germination

Estimated Seedling mortality¹ [(plants per ft²) / (seeds per pound / 43,560)] / germination X (1 + mortality) = seeding rate in lbs per acre

Example:

Desired rate 30 plants ft²

Seeds per pound 13,500

Germination .96

Seedling mortality .10 
[30 / (13,500 / 43,560)] / .96 X (1 + .10) = 111 lbs per acre

2. Determining seeding rate based on desired plants per acre.

Information needed:

Desired seeding rate, million plants per acre

Seeds per pound

Percent germination

Estimated Seedling mortality ² (plants per acre / seeds per lb) / germination X (1 + mortality) = seeding rate in lbs per acre

Example:

Desired rate 1.25 million plants/acre

Seeds per pound 13,500

Germination .96

Seedling mortality .10
(1,250,000 / 13,500) / .96 X (1+ 0.10) = 106 lbs per acre

For more information see http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex81?opendocument

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