Soybean seed quality in the eastern U.S. Corn Belt, though not perfect, is considerably better than that available for the 2000 growing season. The germination of soybean seed this year, prior to cleaning, is in the range of 85 to 87%. Some seed lots have suffered from mechanical damage, but the extent of the problem is much lower than last year. Because of wet conditions in some areas prior to harvest, pod and stem blight is present in some seed lots. In most cases, these seed lots can be identified but if needed, the seed can be treated with a fungicide to prevent rotting of the seed prior to germination.
Much of the soybean seed produced in Iowa and Nebraska in 2000 is of poor quality as a result of the late summer dry weather conditions in the area. Because of the poor seed quality in the western Corn Belt, supplies of the more popular varieties will be very tight since seed from the eastern Corn Belt will be needed to fill this shortfall.
Size of the soybean seed for the 2001 growing season will be near normal with a few seed lots with smaller seed than normal. Always check the seed tag for the percent germination and the number of seeds per pound before calibrating drills and planters. Proper calibration of planting equipment to prevent over planting is an area where farmers can save some money. Purdue recommends seeding rates of 200,000, 165,000 and 130,000 seeds per acre for 7.5-, 15- and 30-inch rows respectively. This recommendation is based on seed with a germination of at least 90% and that 90 % of those seeds will emerge and become established as normal plants.
For other
information about corn, take a look at the Corn Growers Guidebook on the World
Wide Web at http://www.kingcorn.org