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Barley Response to Planting Rate in
Northeastern North Dakota
Recommended Seeding Rates Discussion
Large differences in percent emergence that can occur from field to field every year makes the selection of the best planting rate difficult. The relationship between established plant population and yield were analyzed in the study to help determine the minimum number of plants per square foot needed to obtain optimum yields. The optimum yield, in this study, occurred at an established plant population of 31 plants per square foot (1.35 million plants per acre). There was no statistical difference in yield, however, between 17 and 39 plants per square foot (0.74 and 1.7 million plants per acre). This suggests that the minimum established plant population needed to obtain optimum yields would be 17 plants per square foot. No significant yield benefits were obtained with higher established plant populations.
The goal of a producer, then, is to establish a plant population of at least 17 plants per square foot. In this study, a planting rate ff 0.96 million seeds per acre (1.8 bushels per acre) with a 77 percent emergence resulted in 17 established plants per square foot in seedbeds with adequate moisture. A planting rate of 1.23 million seeds per acre (2.3 bushels per acre) with a 60 percent emergence resulted in 17 established plants per square foot in seedbeds with limited moisture. Seedbed conditions at planting time in addition to percent germination and seed size will dictate the planting rate that a producer chooses. A favorable seedbed at planting may allow producers to reduce planting rates and still obtain target plant populations.
Bryan K. Hanson
Associate Agronomist
Langdon Research Center
John R. Lukach
Superintendent
Langdon Research Center
Reference: ND Farm Research, Vol. 49 (5), Summer 1992
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