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Alfalfa yields strongly depend on emergence rates,
branching and total leaf weight. Although cultivar
properties are fundamental for good seed emergence, it isn't enough.
Lets see how the right management practices can help master seed
emergence.
Like onions, alfalfa seeds are small.
They must therefore be planted at the right depth, close to the surface. But planting depths are usually difficult
to control in arid areas because of soil types : the combination of silt and intensive irrigation create cropping
soils. Small seeds don't compete well in these conditions and many seeds often don't rise. The traditional solution
is to increase planting densities. But it doesn't guarantee a better result and is of course more expensive.
Based on the above observations, our solution aims
at
- Mastering crop establishment with
(see drawings):
perfect depth control (disc harrows ?);
a
corrugated soil surface (better water
retention);
perfect seed/soil contact.
- Saving time with
no-tillage or minimum tillage
- Improving long term water management
with the structured soil created during drilling
(direct drilling ?).
Our trials
have shown the outstanding superiority of our models over traditional
ones. This is a win win win situation : win on seeds, on time, on
yield, on water and on long term soil structure (This is a multi
win situation).
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SEEDS & agricultural MACHINERY - with expertise and services for successful crop management
Depth
control
Corrugated
surface
Seed-soil contact