Alberta Agriculture Seeding Rate Calculator

Seeding Rate Equation:

\[ \text{Rate (kg/ha)} = \frac{\text{Desired Stand (plants/m²)} \times \text{TGW (g)}}{\text{Germination (\%)} \times \text{Establishment (\%)}} \]

Desired Stand:

plants/m²

Thousand Grain Weight (TGW):

Germination:

Establishment:

Seeding Rate:

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1. What is the Seeding Rate Equation?

The Alberta Agriculture seeding rate equation calculates the optimal seed quantity needed per hectare based on desired plant population, seed characteristics, and field conditions. This helps farmers achieve optimal crop stands while minimizing seed waste.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the seeding rate equation:

\[ \text{Rate (kg/ha)} = \frac{\text{Desired Stand (plants/m²)} \times \text{TGW (g)}}{\text{Germination (\%)} \times \text{Establishment (\%)}} \]

Where:

Desired Stand — Target plant population per square meter
TGW — Thousand Grain Weight in grams
Germination — Seed germination percentage
Establishment — Expected field establishment percentage

Explanation: The equation accounts for seed size (TGW), seed quality (germination), and field conditions (establishment) to determine the precise seeding rate needed.

3. Importance of Accurate Seeding Rates

Details: Proper seeding rates optimize crop yield potential, reduce input costs, and help manage field uniformity. Too high rates waste seed, while too low rates can lead to poor stands and reduced yields.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter desired stand in plants/m², TGW in grams, and germination/establishment as percentages. All values must be positive numbers (germination and establishment between 0-100%).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is TGW and how do I find it?
A: TGW (Thousand Grain Weight) is the weight of 1,000 seeds. This is typically provided by your seed supplier or can be measured manually.

Q2: What's a typical establishment percentage?
A: Establishment varies by crop and conditions but typically ranges from 60-90% for most field crops in Alberta.

Q3: How do I determine desired stand?
A: Consult crop-specific recommendations from Alberta Agriculture or your agronomist based on your yield goals and field conditions.

Q4: Does this work for all crops?
A: This calculator works best for cereal and oilseed crops. Special considerations may be needed for pulse crops or other specialty crops.

Q5: Should I adjust for seed treatments?
A: Seed treatments typically don't affect the calculation unless they significantly change the seed weight (TGW).