1. What is the Alberta Pulse Seeding Calculator?

The Alberta Pulse Seeding Calculator helps farmers determine the optimal seeding rate for pulse crops in Alberta's growing conditions. It calculates the required seed quantity based on target plant population, seed size, and germination rate.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Target Plants — Desired plant population per hectare
• TGW — Thousand Grain Weight in grams
• Germination Percentage — Expected germination rate of the seed

Explanation: The formula accounts for seed size and viability to determine the exact amount of seed needed to achieve the target plant population.

3. Importance of Accurate Seeding Rates

Details: Proper seeding rates are crucial for maximizing yield potential, optimizing plant spacing, and ensuring efficient use of seed resources in Alberta's pulse crops.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your target plant population (plants/ha), the thousand grain weight (grams) of your seed, and the germination percentage. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical target plant populations for Alberta pulses?
A: Target populations vary by crop: peas 70-90 plants/m², lentils 130-150 plants/m², chickpeas 40-45 plants/m².

Q2: How do I determine TGW for my seed?
A: Weigh 1000 seeds from your seed lot, or count and weigh a smaller sample and calculate proportionally.

Q3: What germination percentage should I use?
A: Use the germination percentage from your seed tag, or conduct a germination test if seed is untreated.

Q4: Should I adjust for expected seedling mortality?
A: In challenging conditions, you may want to increase your target population by 10-20% to account for potential losses.

Q5: How does row spacing affect these calculations?
A: The calculator provides kg/ha rate. You'll need to adjust for row spacing when setting your drill.