Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? - Purdue Agronomy

12 Pages·2004·1.63 MB·English

by  Robert Nielsen

Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
We’ve known for years that…
Corn Planter Tune-ups:
Why Bother? (cid:132) Variable stands of corn are costly in
terms of bushels and lost revenue.
1920 2004
R.L. (Bob) Nielsen
Dept. of Agronomy
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kingcorn.org
Image source: http://www.kinzemfg.com
Image source: http://www.field-reporter.com/The_Green_Girl_2001/gg-01-08-01.htm
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A Biblical reference… One man’s opinion...
Parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-8)
(cid:132)
(cid:132) Seeds along path bird feed
(cid:132) Seeds in rocky ground scorched, withered
(cid:132) Seeds within thorns choked by weeds “The sins of planting will
(cid:132) Seeds in good soil brought forth grain haunt you all season!”
--Ozzie Luetkemeier
Former supt., Purdue Agronomy Farm
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A Fact of Life... Variable stands may be …
“A young field of corn can look pretty darn Plant spacing variability (PSV)
(cid:132)
uniform from the seat of your pickup (cid:132) How uniformly were the seeds distributed
tooling down the blacktop at 60 mph.” within the row by the planter?
--Bob Nielsen
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
PSV may be … PSV may also be …
Very crowded plants here and there... Gaps between plants of various sizes
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Typically caused by planter malfunction caused by…
Please help me! (cid:132) Planter malfunction and/or
(cid:132) Poor germination or survival of plants
?
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PSV is often composed of … Effect of gaps on yield?
Mixtures of crowded plants and gaps No effect if surviving plant population is
(cid:132) (cid:132)
between plants caused by… still within optimum range.
(cid:132) Planter malfunction and/or (cid:132) For many soils, “optimum” final stand
(cid:132) Poor germination or survival of plants ranges from about 28 to 32,000 ppa.
Lower grain yield if surviving plant
(cid:132)
population is less than optimum.
?? ?
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Effects of doubles on yield? Effect of gaps PLUS doubles?
If targeted seeding rate is below the When variable plant spacing is a
(cid:132) (cid:132)
optimum threshold, doubles may MIXTURE of gaps and doubles…
actually increase yield until that (cid:132) Effect will usually be negative because the
threshold is exceeded. extra plants (doubles) and the plants
(cid:132) E. Nafziger, J. Prod. Ag. 9:238-240 (1996) adjacent to the gaps cannot make up for
the grain yield loss caused by the missing
Yields or standability may decrease at
(cid:132) plants.
some point beyond optimum population
? ?
threshold.
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
How much yield loss? Quantifying the problem...
(cid:132) First, I have to explain how (cid:132) Calculate a simple mathematical
you measure and quantify measure of variability called the
the plant spacing problem. standard deviation.
(cid:132) Large values equal large variability.
(cid:132) Measuring is simple… (cid:132) Most computer spreadsheet programs will
(cid:132) Measure & record a “bunch” of easily allow you to calculate standard
consecutive plant-to-plant spacingsat 2 or deviations from a list of values.
3 locations around the field.
MMeennttaall aanngguuiisshh::
(cid:132) Repeat for each row unit of the planter. SSimimpplele ttoo ccaalclcuulalattee,, ddififfficicuultlt ttoo uunnddeerrssttaanndd
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An illustration of uniformity… An illustration of variability…
100 Example 1: 100 ESxtadm. pDlee v1:. = 0 Example 2:
aces 80 Std. Dev. = 0 AAvlle srpaagcei n=g s8 iidnecnhteicsal aces 80 AMvoesrta ogfe t haels sop =a c8i ningcshaerse within
all sp 60 What does the graph all sp 60 ESxtadm. pDlee v2:. = 3 pavluesr aogre m vianluuse 3o fi n8c ihnecsh efrso.m the
nt of 40 look like? nt of 40 WWhhaatt diso tehse t Shetd g. rDaepvh? look like?
erce 20 What is the Std. Dev? erce 20
P P
0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1011121314151617
Space between plants (inches) Space between plants (inches)
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Plant spacing variability
Same populations, different PSVs within commercial fields of corn
30% Two fields: Real World 40% M3a5in4l yfi e Ilnddsi,a 1n9a8 7& -O 9h6i o
60% of
25% fields = 4 to 5
ds30%
Percent of total112050%%% PPSSVV 26..27 Percent of fiel1200%% 13 6o%r loefs sfields = 2fi4e%ld so f= 6 or greater
5%
0%
0% 0 2 4 6 8 10 12
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
Plant spacing (inches) Standard deviation (inches)
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
So, what’s the yield loss? More recent research…
Pioneer™ researchers reported very
YYiieelldd LLoossss:: (cid:132)
similar yield loss rates from four
22½½ bbuusshheellss ffoorr eevveerryy oonnee iinncchh locations across the Midwest in 2000.
iinnccrreeaassee iinn ssttaannddaarrdd ddeevviiaattiioonn
ooff ppllaanntt--ttoo--ppllaanntt ssppaacciinngg!! (cid:132) Three different genetic families.
(cid:132) Approximately 3.4 bushel decrease per inch
(cid:132) From my field research, 1987-93 increase in standard deviation of plant
(cid:132) Yield levels from 95 bu/ac to 200 bu/ac spacing.
(cid:132) Applicable to standard deviations
between 2 and 12 inches
Data source: Pioneer Hi-Bred Int’l
http://www.pioneer.com/growingpoint/agronomy/crop_insight/plantspacing.jsp
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How good is good enough? How good is good enough?
When measuring seed spacings, aim When measuring plant spacings, aim
(cid:132) (cid:132)
for a target standard deviation of zero for a target standard deviation of two
(0) inches. (2) inches, rather than zero.
(cid:132) Hard to achieve, but make it your goal. (cid:132) For typical emergence percentages (90 to
95% of seeding rate), a standard deviation
among PLANT spacingsof 2 inches may be
equivalent to perfect SEED spacing.
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So, what do you gain? What causes variability?
Yield increases from reduced plantspacing variability (cid:132) Germination of the seed (minor issue)
Potential yield increase (bu/ac) 11205005 2Rt.h5eep friee5sl.de0sn tssu 67rv.05e %ye od1 f.0 .0 12.5 15.0 18.5 (cid:132) P(cid:132)(cid:132)(cid:132)laWIaOnn(cid:132)npoctdO“eeorl orntrarahro detoemsojcureurwtat s nepltipfsmurlulearatoe nnnkbrntctneetetsohrir ow isnpnenda.t rt.atti.hnss egt shw aht eel”
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 (cid:132) So says Larry Cline (Deere & Co.)
Original value for std. dev. (inches)
Source of image: http://www.usda.gov/oc/photo/01di1431.htm
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
Let’s Change Gears...
Don’t forget Mother Nature…
Irregular patterns of plant death by hail,
(cid:132)
frost, insects, disease can cause PSV.
(cid:132) Make sure you diagnose the cause(s) of
stand variability early to determine whether
to blame the planter or Mother Nature!
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GGeerrmmininaatitoionn & & E Emmeerrggeennccee::
Variable stands can also be.. Why is uniform desirable?
(cid:132) Variability for time of seedling (cid:132) Delayed plants cannot
compete with older, more
emergence throughout the field
established plants.
(cid:132) At best, delayed emergers
will contribute little to yield.
(cid:132) Potential yield losses...
(cid:132) 8 to 20 % loss if 25 % or
more of stand is 2 or more
leaf stages “behind”
(cid:132)Univ. of IL data
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Causes of delayed emergence... Causes of delayed emergence...
Variability in soil moisture Variability in seedbed soil temperature
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Soil variability for texture and (cid:132) Variable soil color and texture
natural or artificial drainage (cid:132) Variable seeding depths
(cid:132) Uneven seeding depths (cid:132) Variable distribution of crop residues
(cid:132) Uneven distribution of crop residues
(cid:132) Soil drying patterns due to tillage traffic (cid:132) Especially important when
soil temps. are hovering
around 50F (10C).
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
Causes of delayed emergence... Minimize uneven stands…
Uneven seed to soil contact With just a little effort and common
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Rough, cloddy seedbeds sense on your part!
(cid:132) Uneven distribution of crop residues (cid:132) Offseasoncare of planter
(cid:132) Coulter running too deep (cid:132) Replacing worn parts
(cid:132) Incorrect furrow openers adjustment (cid:132) Making planter adjustments and
(cid:132) Incorrect furrow closers adjustment operating the planter as soil &
weather conditions dictate
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Don’t let time run away… After planting is completed...
(cid:132) Take the time to inspect (cid:132) Clean planter inside and out.
& service your planter
(cid:132) Remove all seed from hoppers and
on your own, or…
metering units.
(cid:132) Let your local planter (cid:132) Don’t let it sit in the
dealer do it for you.
hoppers and rot or
attract rodents for
months.
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After planting is completed... After planting is completed...
Remove seed discs from Lubricate all chains and bearings.
(cid:132) (cid:132)
vacuum planter. (cid:132) If practical, remove the chains and
(cid:132) Else rubber seals remain soak in oil all winter.
compressed and will fail Protect the planter from the elements.
(cid:132)
sooner than otherwise.
(cid:132) Preferably inside.
(cid:132) Hang on wall, not stacked on (cid:132) Or outside but protected.
workbench, to avoid warping.
(cid:132) Store where temps remain
above freezing.
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
Pre-season maintenance… Pre-season maintenance…
Check and replace all worn out parts. Ensure disc openers and furrow
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Seed meter components, chain links, disc closers are aligned accurately.
openers, hydraulic hoses, seed tubes, etc. (cid:132) Affects furrow closing efficiency.
(cid:132) Ensure that coulters and disc openers (cid:132) With Case IH Cyclos, replace
are aligned accurately. worn seals and check trueness
(cid:132) Proper alignment improves accuracy of of fit of seed drum
seed furrow opening. against firewall.
Image source: http://www.caseih.com
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Pre-season maintenance… Pre-season maintenance…
Adjust or replace worn disc openers. For finger-pickup type planters.
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Worn openers cut “W” furrows rather than “V”. (cid:132) Check seed meter backplates.
(cid:132)Closing wheels may not completely firm soil (cid:132)Rust buildup
around seed. (cid:132)Seed treatment residues
(cid:132) Adjust shims so that bottoms touch. (cid:132)Worn down ‘dimples’ Image source: http://www.kinzemfg.com
(cid:132)Replace openers when no longer possible.
(cid:132) Some say replace when 1 inch of wear occurs.
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Pre-season maintenance… Pre-season maintenance…
(cid:132) Check condition of seed conveyor belt. (cid:132) Inflate tires to correct pressure.
(cid:132)Age + seed treatment = brittleness (cid:132) Clean seed tubes and monitor sensors .
(cid:132)Check condition of drive sprocket teeth. Replace seed tubes if excessively worn
(cid:132)
(cid:132)Wear & tear eventually affects operation. at bottom.
CALIBRATE THE PLANTER!
(cid:132)
Image source: http://www.kinzemfg.com
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
Calibrate the planter Calibrate the planter…
For air or vacuum planters: Calibrate the radar.
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Calculate & record the seed weight for each (cid:132) Ensures accurate speed and distance
seed lot you intend to plant. measurement.
(cid:132) Identify & record the correct pressure (air (cid:132) Identify the correct transmission setting
or vacuum) for the calculated seed weight. for the desired seeding rate.
(cid:132) Identify & record the correct seed disc (or (cid:132) Use the operators manual.
drum) for the calculated seed weight.
A real operators manual!
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Calibrate the planter… Calibrate the planter…
Calibrate actual seed drop with... Calibrate at normal planting speeds and
(cid:132) (cid:132)
(cid:132) Planter transmission settings seeding rates in as close to field
(cid:132) Planter monitor readouts conditions as possible.
(cid:132) Don’t calibrate the planter in the farm lane.
(cid:132) Else cannot account for wheel slippage and
row unit bounce.
Image source: http://www.dickey-john.com
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While you’re at it... Is the planter level?
Calibrate pesticide and fertilizer planter Check that the planter units are parallel
(cid:132) (cid:132)
attachments at same time… or level to the ground when the planter
(cid:132) Application rates can easily change from is in operation, because that affects...
year to year. (cid:132) Disc opener depth
(cid:132) Also check position of attachments relative (cid:132) Press wheel efficiency
to planter unit itself.
(cid:132) Seed to soil contact
(cid:132)Especially starter fertilizer attachments.
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
Level planter unit… Planter unit not level…
Image source: http://www.yetterco.com/help/plantguide.html Image source: http://www.yetterco.com/help/plantguide.html
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Watch the down pressure… Finally, the day of seeding…
(cid:132) Remember that (cid:132) Remember that rapid and uniform corn
excessive down germination and emergence will not occur at
pressure at the parallel soil temperatures less than 50oF.
linkages can lift the (cid:132) Seedling establishment will also not occur rapidly &
planter frame AND the uniformly if soil temperatures remain cold.
drive wheels. (cid:132) Cool soils especially likely when planting early
(cid:132) i.e., heavy-duty no-till and/or in no-till with heavy surface trash.
springs
Image source: http://customer.johndeere.com
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Soil temperature & corn emergence The day of seeding…
90 gTreeamteprs t choanns 5is0tFe n(1t0lyC ) Avg. Daily Soil Temp. 40 (cid:132) Adjust air or vacuum planters according
Days to Emergence
80 35 to seed size or weight.
Soil temp (F)234567000000 35 25 20 14 8 days or less to emergence 1122305050Days to emergence (cid:132) Rw(cid:132)(cid:132)ehSAmeeirnee o dmyr pobvluaaec tresu wstuo,m i dtrc iepshcr- esah,sd ysojubru rrdseidtr usam sos rn eseceesds alortys .
10 8 6 8 7 5 (cid:132) Failure to do so can cost you dearly at
0 44 0 harvest!
20-Mar 03-Apr 17-Apr 01-May 15-May 29-May 12-Jun 26-Jun
Planting date
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Corn Planter Tune-ups: Why Bother? v011904
The day of seeding… The day of seeding…
(cid:132) Remember graphite with finger-pickup (cid:132) Choose an appropriate seeding depth.
meters: 1 tablespoon per bushel of seed. (cid:132) Depends on field conditions & weather.
(cid:132) If you discover that seed treatment is (cid:132) Aim for a depth that will ensure uniform
building up on the fingers or backplate, then availability of soil moisture for germination.
use more graphite.
(cid:132)No less than 1 ½ inches.
(cid:132) Remember talc with vacuum meters: (cid:132)As deep as 2 or 3 inches
1 cup per bushel to prevent sticky seed. if necessary to reach
(cid:132) More under humid conditions. adequate soil moisture.
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The day of seeding… The day of seeding…
Check the actual depth of seeding Adjust the depth and tension of no-till
(cid:132) (cid:132)
frequently from field to field or day to coulters from field to field, day to day.
day. (cid:132) Do not cut deeper with the coulter (in line
(cid:132) Actual seeding depth can vary from with the disc opener) than the depth of
targeted planter setting as soil conditions seeding.
change. (cid:132) Avoid trapping old trash inside the furrow.
Seed
Trapped trash
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The day of seeding… The day of seeding…
Adjust the tension of the furrow closing Planting speed should not exceed the
(cid:132) (cid:132)
wheels according to the conditions of manufacturer’s recommendations.
the soil. (cid:132) Generally, the optimum range of speeds is
(cid:132) Remember, excessive pressure 5 to 6 miles per hour.
can compact the soil above the
seed and restrict emergence.
Image source: http://www.kinzemfg.com
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