Achieve cereal yield potential with superior stand establishment

​​​​​​​When it comes to achieving top performing and high yielding cereals, the secret lies in the early days of crop seeding and the importance of stand establishment. Field establishment of cereals is the percentage of the seeded grain that goes on to produce mature, yield producing plants. Establishment is the most critical period because it sets the crop’s yield potential. Every challenge a cereal crop will face during the upcoming growing season will impact final yield from this point on.

The optimal stand starts with the right conditions for plant success, along with a strategy and tools that create the best possible conditions, fertility and disease protection.

Seedbed preparation

The right seedbed will promote fast, uniform crop emergence, laying the foundation for higher yields. Four key elements are required for an optimal seedbed – moisture, air, warmth and a disease-free environment.

Proper seedbed preparation requires the right tillage tools for the soil type and residue incorporation. No matter the choice in tillage equipment or practice, the ideal seedbed should ensure good seed to soil contact and allow air and oxygen to pass through. A warm seedbed will also speed up emergence, seedling growth and overall crop stand. As we know, spring conditions are often variable and unforgiving.

Seeding rates

Establishing a cereal crop with the highest yield potential and quality requires sowing seeds at the right rate. A variety of agronomic and seed quality factors contribute to determining the appropriate seeding rates, including previous crops, tillage and soil type.

Optimizing plant populations and yield potential by increasing seeding rates is essential because there’s no chance to increase the number of plants out in the field once the crop is up and growing.

Cereal plant population affects yield by influencing three yield determinant factors – number of heads per acre, number of kernels per head, and the weight per kernel. Higher plant populations also mean greater light interception (more photosynthetic area) and reduced weed competition.

Increasing seeding rates can help plants improve stand uniformity, an obvious benefit when it comes to managing fungicide or insecticide treatments, and consistent maturity for easier harvest.

Higher seeding rates and higher plant populations do come with some risks, like the increased potential for lodging which can impact yield and quality. This can be managed at seed selection, choosing varieties with shorter-straw varieties or varieties with very strong straw strength, or during the growing season with the use of plant growth regulators. Increased plant density can also add plant stress when it comes to competition for nutrients, light, and moisture.

Consult a regional seeding rate calculator like this one provided by Alberta Grains to help establish the best seeding rate and spacing to achieve target plant populations and optimum crop establishment.

Disease prevention and protection

The best stand establishment and resulting yields require strong root growth, even in the presence of seed- and soil-borne diseases.

Seed- and soil-borne disease development thrive in a variety of conditions and can infect a plant at any stage between germination and maturity, and any part of the root system up to a short distance above the soil surface.

Protecting cereal seeds and seedlings against seed- and soil-borne diseases provides cereal crops with the best chance of survival and gives them the opportunity to develop strong, healthy roots. Healthy roots in turn support more resilient seedlings when faced with abiotic stressors like drought.

Vibrance^® Quattro, Syngenta’s trusted fungicide-only cereal seed treatment, provides an early-season advantage with broad-spectrum disease protection, healthy roots, consistent plant stands.

Early plant success sets up a crop to reach its full potential. And since crop yield and resource use efficiency depend on successful plant establishment in the field, it makes sense to invest in the best seed, resources, tools and disease protection to offer cereals their best start and yield potential.

Performance evaluations are based on internal trials, field observations and/or public information. Data from multiple locations and years should be consulted whenever possible. Individual results may vary depending on local growing, soil and weather conditions.
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