United Kingdom
July 29, 2013
Beet growers looking to order seed for next season’s crop - if and when the contract price stand-off is resolved - should take account of the need for increased seed rates to hit target plant stands for optimal yield. Simon Roberts of Syngenta advised that 1.2 units per hectare is now advocated to ensure sufficient plants, but highlighted the experiences of this season have shown the need to adjust rates according to adverse conditions at sowing. Two consecutive difficult establishment years have also reinforced the ‘vigour trigger’ benefit of the Cruiser Force seed treatment.
Cold, wet soil conditions at sowing and slow growth in the spring created a ‘perfect storm’ of conditions that stressed seedlings, leading to all sorts of establishment problems. The results have vindicated BBRO advice to increase seed rates when planting sugar beet, with lessons learned for ordering seed for next year’s crop, according to Syngenta Sugar Beet Technical Manager, Simon Roberts.
“The season did highlight the positive performance of varieties with good early vigour - with SY MUSE reported as performing especially well and likely to remain a firm favourite with growers’ seed orders this year,” he advised.
“Growers should also take note of BBRO advice to typically increase seed rates to 1.2 units per hectare, to achieve the optimum plant stand of 100,000 plants/ha, when placing their orders. But they also need to consider soil conditions at planting, and increase seed rates if germination and establishment is likely to be adversely affected.”
Where plant establishment is typically lower on headlands, the advice is that seed rates should also be increased accordingly in these areas. Growers that have have moved to 50cm row spacing on seed drills also need to adjust their target establishment to 100 plants per 20 metre row, compared to 90 plants per 20m at the traditional 45cm row width.
The 2012 season also demonstrated the ‘vigour trigger’ benefit of CRUISER FORCE seed treatment to get crops growing, along with the control of soil pests that were especially active in wet soils. CRUISER FORCE is unaffected by the EU neonicotinoid suspension and will be fully available for sugar beet growers next spring, added Mr Roberts.
Species
