b'SEEDING PREPARATIONGetting Your Seed Ready for Springa Handy Checklist 1. Look after your seed quality b. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations for a. Double check your seed qualityremember fieldsusing inoculantsinoculants do have a shelf life as well as sprayed with a pre-harvest product could suffer damage tostorage rules. Generally, its recommended you store them in a seed quality. Be sure to test your seed, experts recommendcool, dark location. Most manufactures recommend applying conducting a germination and vigor test with disease screening. inoculant only to seed intended for planting within a specified b. Mind the concussion factormany pulse crops havenumber of hours. Typically, there are clear recommendations very fragile seed coats and are more susceptible to mechanicalfor safe intervals in which they can be mixed into a slurry damage than cereal seeds. Seed which gets beat-up can(if applicable) and applied to the seed. Pay attention to the quickly lose quality due to mechanical damage. Use conveyersfine print of the inoculant label, most suppliers have toll-free and ladders as much as possible in handling systems. Try tonumbers and/or salespeople who can answer any questions. handle your pulse crop seed as little as possible to lower the riskc. As mentioned before, check compatibility with any of damage. Further, seed which is very dry or extremely cold isfungicidal or insecticidal seed protectants which may be brittle and fragile. applied in conjunction with an inoculant.c. If you find yourself in a position in which you need to purchase seed, talk to your seed supplier sooner versus later.4. Seeding tipsPlanning is key to securing the variety and quantity of gooda. Field selection plays an important role in disease and weed quality seed that fits your agronomic area. managementbe mindful as pulse crops are not strong early season weed competitors and herbicide options are limited. 2. Seed treatmentsan important ingredient toSelecting a clean field is an important step in a weed control consider for integrated pest management (IPM) program. Avoid the temptation to apply pre-seed herbicides a. Integrating a seed protectant into your IPM program takesonce you have seeded, as the risk for crop damage escalates.forethought. Knowing which insects and diseases affect pulseBe mindful of possible herbicide carryover which can vary crops in your fields, as well as those in your surrounding areabetween products, soil types, as well as in-season rainfall.is key to making the proper decision regarding seed treatments.b. Even though many pulse crops have relatively large seed Remember, some diseases like Aphanomyces cannot besize, pulse crops can be very susceptible to fertilizer toxicity. mitigated with seed treatment products, which is why fieldConsult with your agronomist or fertilizer supplier for maximum selection is important. rates which can be safely placed with the seed.b. Application matterseven application of the properc. Seed earlyfaba beans, peas, lentils and chickpeas label rate of seed treatment products directly affects efficacy,all have growing points below the soil surface, thus the risk resistance management and user safety. Seed growers, retailersof catastrophic frost damage is reduced as the soil acts as and seed processors often have commercial applicationinsulation to protect the nodes from a hint of frost. Soybeans equipment which can accurately deliver the proper rate theand dry beans do have a different growth habit though, with the proper way. growing points being above the soil surface which dramatically c. Also be mindful of incompatibilities of fungicides withreduces frost tolerance. some rhizobia inoculant products. d. Calibrate and pay attention to seeding equipment settingshigh fan speeds on air seeders can contribute to mechanical 3. Inoculate damage of fragile and/or brittle seed coats.a. Unleash the power of the pulse by using the propere. Optimum seeding depth of pulse crops range from 1.5 inoculantinoculants come in a variety of formulations: liquid,to two inches. Also attempt to seed into moist seed beds to granular and peat-based. Inoculants are critical in nitrogenoptimize germination.fixation of pulse crops and are species (strain) specific for each Alberta Seed Guide with assistance from Robyn Bowness crop. Be sure to use the correct strain by consulting the labelDavidson, pulse research scientist at Alberta Agricultureprior to application. and ForestryPulse Special Edition 2020 19'