Seeding Rate

Seeding rates for most varieties for grain are in the range of 15 to 20 pounds per acre. Finola is recommended to be seeded heavier at 30 pounds per acre. These rates have been found to give an adequate plant population for yield potential and provides enough competition for weed control.

Seed Size - A 1000 kernel weight (Table 6) is useful in determining and to calculate the target seeding rates.  A higher 1000 kernel weight means the variety is composed of bigger seeds. The importance of this consideration depends on the end use of the variety selected.

A large seed has an advantage for a uses in De-hulling where a large nut is desired whereas for crushing or fibre yield seed size may not matter. Research is required to determine the seed oil content in the larger nut varieties. Different 1000 kernel weights (Table 6) will affect the seeding rate of varieties and impact seed cost.

Calculations for seeding rates using 1000 kernel weights can be found by using the Alberta Agriculture site

Table 6 indicates the impact different 1000 kernel rates have on seeding rates with the goal of obtaining the same target plant population.

1000 kernel weight variation is dependent on the degree of seed sizing during cleaning. Seed will be sized to maintain the maximum number of viable seeds.

Table 6 - 1000 Kernel weights for varieties included in seeding rate trial (PCDF 2005)

Assumptions: Target seeding rates are 100 seeds per square metre. Actual germination rates were use that ranged in the 90 to 95%. Emergence mortality % was estimated at 20%.