Increase seed rates to hit beet stand targets

Simon Roberts
Simon Roberts

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.