Agronomy Library > Annual Weeds

On Farm Research - Seed Integrity and Inoculant Viability
Author: Roger Andreiuk, Reduced Tillage LINKAGES & William Punko, Cooperating Farmer
Date Created: November 21, 2007
Last Reviewed: February 05, 2009
On Farm Research: Farmers are usually very adept at observing how a new practice or product performs and making decisions based on their own farming experience. If they weren't right much of the time, they probably aren’t farming today. Observation of strip demonstrations or split fields give a first “look” at a practice or product, and can be an important first step to raise a flag or question. However, it is not possible to make reliable comparisons without a scientific approach. The need for scientific on-farm research is not always readily apparent. Much depends on the question you need answered: for instance finding out if a crop or variety will make it to maturity on your farm may be answered simply by growing that crop. A scientific approach and research is needed if a comparison among practices or inputs is desired. On-farm research is field-scale, scientifically valid research established and managed by the farmer with field-scale equipment. It is replicated, sound research that enables the farmer to explore and evaluate various production practices. Farmer participation leads to more appropriate site-specific technology, broader and faster adoption, and increased producer ability to adapt and adopt environmentally sound and profitable farming practices. Properly planned on farm experiments, designed to minimize inconvenience, can be successfully and easily carried out. This discussion will cover some pitfalls and perks of strips trails, demos and on farm research. Points to keep in mind when planning your own on-farm research will be discussed. Maintaining Seed Integrity and Improving Inoculant Viability The Pea Seed Integrity and Inoculant Viability projects of 2005 & 2006 showed that seed is damaged and inoculant numbers per seed decline through the seeding operation. The damage to seed is a result of being bashed about throughout the handling and seeding. Inoculant on the outside of seed is physically knocked off during seeding and/or dessicates and dies before making it into the soil. Polymer coating has been used to improve inoculant viability and shelf life with legume forage seed. Perhaps polymer coating may also reduce “seed bash” and the seed damage and inoculant reduction that occurs during seeding. A field scale on farm research project was carried out in 2007 to investigate the effectiveness of polymer coating in reducing seed damage and improving inoculant viability during seeding. Generally, polymer coating did improve inoculant viability and reduce bash.  open the attached PDF for the complete paper