In order to get good stand establishment in a diiect seeding system, it is essential that you pay close attention to following:
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Plant Back Restrictions
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Seed Quality
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Date of Seeding
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Rate of Seeding
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Depth of Seeding
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Row Spacing
Re-cropping
Many herbicides have soil residual properties and cropping restrictions. Read the label carefully and plan crop rotations in advance, so herbicide use on the preceding crop does not have a negative affect the next crop.
Seed Quality
Select the competitive crop and variety and use a certified seed with high germination and purity. See Seed for Cereal Crops
Date of Seeding
Earlier seeding of cereal, oil-seed and pulse crops results in:
Better crop competition against weeds at varying conditions of seeding depth, resulting in better stand establishment.
Reduced lodging and earlier maturity.
Higher yields.
However, in western Canada, there is certain risk associated with earlier seeding (cool soil temperature and risk of sprig frost). Take appropriate steps to avoid these risks
Seeding Rate
Optimum-seeding rate is essential for maximizing crop yields. Seeding rate depends on the seed germination rate, desired plant populations and 1000 kernel weight. The recommended seeding rate for some major direct seeded crops are:
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Crop
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Seeding Rate
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Desired Plant Populations
Plants/ft2
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Seeding Rate Calculator
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Barley
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1.5–3.0 Bu./ac
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22 -25
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Oats
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1.5-3.0 Bu./ac
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18-23
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Spring wheat
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2.0–2.5 Bu./ac
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24-28
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Winter wheat
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1.5 Bu./ac.
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19-23
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Argentine canola
Polish canola
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5-7 Lb./ac
4-6 Lb./ac
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7 – 11
7 - 11
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Flax
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27-40 Lb./ac
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37 – 56
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Pea
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Seed size dependent
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7
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Seeding Depth
Seeding too deeply results in delayed emergence, and seeding too shallowly in dry soil results in spotty germination and reduced yield. In order to maximize the yield, cereal, oil-seed and pulse crops should be seeded into moist soil as shallowly as possible.
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Crop
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Seeding Depth
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Cereals
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1.5 – 2.0 inches – sown into moisture
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Oil-seed (canola/flax)
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0.5 – 1.0 inches – sown into moisture. Under dry conditions, seed shallow.
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Pulse (pea/lentils)
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1.0 – 1.5 inches – sown into moisture
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Row Spacing
Affects the grain yield, nutrient placement, weed control and light utilization. It is dependent upon the soil type, soil disturbance, nitrogen placement, and seedbed utilization. Row spacing also has a direct effect on the residue clearance of seeding machines. Machines with wider row spacing can clear through higher residue levels. In direct seeding management systems, the effects of row spacing on grain yield are variable. Research at Indian Head, SK, has shown no yield difference when using row spacing of 4, 8, and 12 inches whereas, at Falhar, AB, there was a yield advantage for 9 inch. row spacing compared to 12 inch. row spacing. 
