Increase seed rates
Increase seed rates
INCREASING maize seed rates can boost fresh yields, but it also carries a risk of delaying maturity and lowering starch content, particularly on marginal sites.
Results from a four year trial carried out by Advanta Seeds show the effects of adjusting seed rates on early maturing varieties Fabius and Crescendo.
According to the companys Lindsay Cousland, clear trends can be seen in the 1998 trials. "At the marginal sites in Clwyd, increasing the seed rate of Fabius from 43,000 to 52,600 seeds/acre, increased yield by 9%. However, dry matter dropped by 3.7%, delaying maturity and harvest by up to 21 days in that season.
"But at more favourable growing locations, increasing the seed rate only delayed harvest up to one week."
Mrs Cousland believes this seasons dry weather should see maize drilling underway in late April and early May, allowing more time for crops to mature, compared with last years weather-induced later drillings.
Simon Draper, MGA agronomist agrees that growers in the south could raise seed rates. "When usually sowing 45,000 seeds/acre, increasing this to 47,000-48,000 seeds/acre will increase fresh yields by 7%, according to MGA trials."
However, growers further up the country must decide whether they want bulk for the clamp or a grainy maize silage, adds Mr Draper. *