A field research trial to evaluate the performance of five bolt-on side band openers in the establishment and yield of spring wheat and canola was conducted at 10 locations in Saskatchewan in 1995 and 1996. The openers tested included Flexi-coil stealth, Dutch-Vern eaglebuster, Swede SW470, GEN 200 and Morris Edge on mount. Trial locations were selected to provide a range of soil and environmental conditions. When properly adjusted for individual site soil conditions at seeding, little difference can be expected in the performance of the side band openers tested in the establishment and grain yield of spring wheat. With canola the results indicate that while three of the five openers showed poor performance in achieving proper seed - fertilizer separation, the ability of the canola crop to branch and compensate for poor crop establishment prevented any significant grain yield loss. In other words, a poor crop establishment did not necessarily translate into reduced grain yield with canola. For both spring wheat and canola where differences between openers were recorded the Flexi-coil and GEN opener gave the best results. Producers are cautioned that wear on an opener can lead to changes in the seed - fertilizer separation observed when the opener was new. Careful attention to opener wear is necessary if producers are to ensure proper crop establishment and yield. In addition, proper adjustment of an opener to both the implement shank angle and field conditions can have a dramatic effect on final outcome. Given the importance of crop establishment to achieving optimum grain yields, those bolt-on side band openers that provided good crop establishment should be recommended.
The successful expansion of direct seeded acreage has come about largely as a result of two factors. First, the drop in the price of Roundup herbicide, which allows control of weeds without tillage, and secondly the development of the air seeder and air drill, providing for excellent crop establishment in high residue conditions. In an attempt to allow producers to use a one-pass direct seeding system, machinery manufacturers have developed a number of side banding openers for placement of fertilizer separate from the seed in a single field operation. Unfortunately, many of these early generation bolt-on openers performed poorly, resulting in performance problems such as inadequate seed-fertilizer separation, poor seed placement, poor durability and excessive soil disturbance. However, extensive research and development has resulted in modifications and redesign of side band openers which offer improved performance. In an attempt to assess the potential of these bolt-on side band openers, a field research trial was carried out in 1995 and 1996, over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, to assess the potential of these openers for seeding spring wheat and canola. The objective of this research was to assess the performance of each opener in crop establishment and final yield and quality.
Five side banding bolt-on openers were compared under direct seeded conditions at five locations in both 1995 and 1996 in the Dark Brown, Black and Gray soil zones of Saskatchewan (Table 1). Trial locations were selected to provide a range of soil textures and climatic conditions. The openers evaluated in the study were all single side band types (not paired row), and included:
1. Flexi-coil Stealth
2. Dutch-Vern eaglebuster
3. Swede SW470
4. GEN 200
5. Morris Edge On Mount
With the exception of the Swede, all of these openers placed the seed to the side and the fertilizer in the center of the shank. In contrast, the Swede opener places the seed in the center of the shank and the fertilizer to the side. With the exception of the GEN opener, a Dutch seed brake was used with each opener to reduce seed velocity immediately above the opener. Use of the seed brake with the GEN opener resulted in the seed becoming plugged in the opener.
Fertilizer nitrogen (N) was applied at rates of 0, 35, 70 and 105 lbs N/acre, using urea (46-0-0). In addition, all plots received a side band application of 25 lb P2O5/acre, 10 lb K2O/acre and 10 lb SO4-S/acre. The crops Polish canola (cv. Maverick) and spring wheat (cv. Pasqua) were seeded at 6 and 120 lb/acre, respectively. The canola was treated with Vitavax RS and blended with and equal amount of Furadan 5G. The five openers and four N rates were arranged in a randomized complete block design, with four replicates. Each crop was handled as a separate experiment.
Plots were seeded using 10 foot wide four rank air seeder, constructed by the Prairie Agriculture Machinery Institute in Humboldt. The plot seeder used Flexi-coil cultivator components, including 550 lb spring trips and shanks. Fertilizer and seed were contained in four custom made boxes metered through Amazone seed/fertilizer cups, using one cup on each box for each opener. Following metering the seed/fertilizer dropped by gravity into a Valmar venturi type pneumatic system for delivery to each opener. Metering of seed and fertilizer was achieved using Valmar 60 speed ground driven gearboxes. On-row packing, adjusted to be directly over the seed row, was achieved using L-Hart packers mounted on the rear of the machine.
Soil moisture (0-4") and soil nitrogen (0-24") were determined immediately prior to seeding. Crop emergence was assessed prior to in-crop spraying at the 3-4 leaf stage of wheat and 2-3 true leaf stage of canola. At harvest whole crop above ground dry matter yield was determined, along with grain yield and grain and straw N content. Data was analyzed over locations and years.
Little impact of either opener type or N fertilizer rate were recorded on wheat seedling plant stand or final grain yield in this study (Figure 1; Table 2). Few of the opener treatments resulted in a wheat seedling stand of less than 85% of the no N check, indicating that there would likely be little effect on maturity date or final grain yield. A trial location by opener interaction was recorded, with four of the ten trials showing a significant difference to opener (Table 3). In general, where differences were recorded in seedling numbers they were minor, with the Flexi-coil opener usually providing the best seedling stand. However, these differences in crop establishment were not reflected in final grain yield at any of the ten trial locations, or when averaged over all trials (Table 2).
It would appear from these results that when properly adjusted for individual site soil conditions at seeding, little difference can be expected in the performance of the side band openers tested in the establishment and grain yield of spring wheat.
Canola seedling establishment showed greater sensitivity to high N rates with the various openers tested (Figure 2). When averaged across all ten trial locations, consistent crop establishment, regardless of N rate, was achieved with the Flexi-coil and GEN openers. The decline in crop establishment with increasing N rate for the Morris, Swede and Dutch openers indicates inadequate seed and fertilizer separation. When considered individually, significant opener by N rate interactions for canola seedling stand were recorded at four trial locations (Figure 3). From each of these four locations the negative impact on crop establishment with increasing N rates is again illustrated, particularly with the Morris and Dutch openers. Seedling stands were reduced below 85% of the no N check on several occasions.
When considered across all ten trial locations, canola grain yields did not reflect the variability observed in seedling stand establishment (Table 2, Figure 2). Grain yields for each N rate were almost identical with each opener. When considered on a site by site basis, significant opener effects were recorded at five trials (Table 4). Only at the Tisdale'96 location was the poor seedling establishment with the Morris, Swede and Dutch openers (Figure 3) reflected in significantly lower grain yields relative to the Flexi-coil and GEN (Table 4).
It would appear from these results that while three of the five openers showed poor performance in achieving proper seed - fertilizer separation, the ability of the canola crop to branch and compensate for poor crop establishment prevented any significant grain yield loss. A poor crop establishment did not necessarily translate into reduced grain yield.
The results from this research project indicate that when properly adjusted for individual soil conditions, all of the openers provided for good stand establishment and grain yield of spring wheat. Overall, while differences in wheat establishment were recorded between openers, this was never reflected in harvest grain yield.
In the case of canola, 6 of the 10 trials showed differences in plant stand due to opener, and 5 of the 10 trials showed differences in grain yield. The presence of yield differences, even in the absence of differences in plant stand, indicate that some form of sub-lethal injury to plants may be taking place. The sensitivity of canola to urea-N fertilizer is well established, and these results emphasize the need for caution when applying high rates of N with canola. As with the spring wheat, where differences between openers was recorded the Flexi-coil and GEN opener gave the best results.
Wear on an opener can lead to changes in the seed - fertilizer separation observed when the opener was new. Careful attention to opener wear is necessary if producers are to ensure proper crop establishment and yield. In addition, proper adjustment of an opener to both the implement shank angle and field conditions can have a dramatic effect on final outcome. Given the importance of crop establishment to achieving optimum grain yields, those bolt-on side band openers that provided good crop establishment should be recommended.
Table 1. Trial location, soil type, spring residual soil nitrate-N (24"), seeding date, spring soil moisture and growing season conditions for 1995 and 1996 bolt-on side band opener study.
Location |
Year |
Soil Type |
Soil N (lb/ac - 2') Wheat Canola |
Seed date Month/day |
Soil Moisture1 |
Growing Conditions2 |
|
Indian Head |
1995 |
Blk Hvy Clay |
Not collected
|
5/30 - 6/1
|
35.3
|
Average
|
|
Melfort |
1995 |
Blk Clay Loam |
80
|
80
|
5/24-5/26
|
29.4
|
Good
|
Tisdale |
1995 |
Gray Clay |
21
|
17
|
5/21-5/23
|
26.3
|
Poor
|
Watrous |
1995 |
Dk Br Clay Loam |
29
|
28
|
5/15-5/19
|
28.4
|
Average
|
Yorkton |
1995 |
Blk Loam |
88
|
63
|
6/2 - 6/4
|
27.8
|
Poor
|
Indian Head |
1996 |
Blk Hvy Clay |
6
|
5
|
6/10-6/12
|
30.5
|
Good
|
Melfort |
1996 |
Blk Clay Loam |
129
|
81
|
5/29-5/30
|
33.0
|
Good
|
Tisdale |
1996 |
Gray Clay |
65
|
95
|
5/27-5/28
|
26.9
|
Poor
|
Regina |
1996 |
Dk Br Hvy Clay |
Not Collected
|
6/1 - 6/3
|
29.6
|
Good
|
|
Watrous |
1996 |
Dk Br Clay Loam |
51
|
52
|
5/14-5/22
|
not avail.
|
Average
|
1 Soil moisture (%) in surface 4" at seeding.
2 Growing conditions: Good - no significant moisture or temperature stress during growing season; Average - some moisture or temperature stress; Poor - both moisture and temperature stress during growing season.
Table 2. Effect of bolt-on side band opener on seedling stand and grain yield of spring wheat (cv. Pasqua) and canola (cv. Maverick).
|
Side Band Opener
|
Wheat
|
Canola
|
||
|
Seedlings1
|
Grain Yield
|
Seedlings
|
Grain Yield
|
|
|
plants/m2
|
bu/ac
|
plants/m2
|
bu/ac
|
|
Flexi-coil |
185 a
|
37.8
|
83.7 a
|
18.5
|
Morris |
180 b
|
37.3
|
76.2 b
|
18.2
|
Gen |
176 b
|
36.8
|
81.3 ab
|
19.0
|
Swede |
175 b
|
37.1
|
79.8 bc
|
18.1
|
Dutch |
181 ab
|
37.5
|
76.7 cd
|
18.1
|
CV |
14
|
11
|
19
|
13
|
1Seedling counts conducted pre-spraying (3-4 leaf stage of wheat, 2-3 true leaf of canola).
Table 3. Wheat seedling and grain yield response to bolt-on side band opener in 1995 and 1996.
|
Trial Location and Year
|
Seedlings (plants/m2)
|
Grain Yield (bu/ac)
|
||||||||
|
Flex
|
Morris
|
Gen
|
Swede
|
Dutch
|
Flex
|
Morris
|
Gen
|
Swede
|
Dutch
|
|
Indian Head'95 |
284 a1
|
262 b
|
258 b
|
258 b
|
253 b
|
32.7
|
34.4
|
32.1
|
33.4
|
32.9
|
Melfort'95 |
127
|
125
|
125
|
133
|
123
|
48.9
|
46.4
|
46.2
|
49.0
|
47.5
|
Tisdale'95 |
111
|
99
|
111
|
112
|
100
|
38.1
|
37.2
|
39.4
|
26.9
|
39.9
|
Watrous'95 |
72
|
78
|
67
|
79
|
77
|
32.7
|
32.3
|
29.2
|
30.5
|
32.6
|
Yorkton'95 |
134
|
127
|
129
|
121
|
129
|
37.0
|
37.9
|
36.2
|
35.8
|
35.8
|
Indian Head'96 |
231 b
|
225 b
|
218 b
|
221 b
|
251 a
|
44.1
|
43.5
|
44.9
|
43.8
|
44.1
|
Melfort'96 |
283 a
|
266 ab
|
246 cd
|
228 d
|
262 bc
|
48.2
|
46.0
|
46.8
|
45.4
|
45.1
|
Regina'96 |
199
|
207
|
197
|
197
|
204
|
31.8
|
31.7
|
31.1
|
31.8
|
31.0
|
Tisdale'96 |
211
|
220
|
203
|
209
|
208
|
31.0
|
31.2
|
30.7
|
30.7
|
31.8
|
Watrous'96 |
203 a
|
185 b
|
193 ab
|
195 ab
|
198 a
|
33.9
|
32.8
|
35.1
|
33.5
|
34.4
|
1Seedling numbers and grain yield values followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05).
Table 4. Canola seedling and grain yield response to bolt-on side band opener in 1995 and 1996.
|
Trial Location and Year
|
Seedlings (plants/m2)
|
Grain Yield (bu/ac)
|
||||||||
|
Flex
|
Morris
|
Gen
|
Swede
|
Dutch
|
Flex
|
Morris
|
Gen
|
Swede
|
Dutch
|
|
Indian Head'95 |
91
|
93
|
104
|
95
|
83
|
13.0 a
|
11.5 c
|
12.3 abc
|
11.9 bc
|
12.7 ab
|
Melfort'95 |
61
|
58
|
61
|
59
|
51
|
33.0 a
|
32.9 ab
|
34.0 a
|
34.4 a
|
30.9 b
|
Tisdale'95 |
34 b1
|
33 b
|
42 a
|
35 ab
|
30 b
|
9.2
|
9.6
|
9.6
|
9.3
|
9.3
|
Watrous'95 |
41
|
40
|
43
|
49
|
41
|
12.1
|
11.2
|
11.6
|
10.6
|
12.2
|
Yorkton'95 |
48 a
|
37 b
|
39 b
|
38 b
|
36 b
|
6.5 ab
|
6.3 b
|
6.9 ab
|
5.7 b
|
7.8 a
|
Indian Head'96 |
123 a
|
107 b
|
122 a
|
129 a
|
123 a
|
13.3
|
13.3
|
14.2
|
13.1
|
13.3
|
Melfort'96 |
115 a
|
113 a
|
95 b
|
90 b
|
109 a
|
33.2 a
|
33.6 a
|
31.2 b
|
32.6 ab
|
31.3 b
|
Regina'96 |
106 a
|
90 b
|
108 a
|
95 b
|
90 b
|
19.1
|
17.8
|
18.6
|
17.3
|
17.4
|
Tisdale'96 |
140 a
|
120 bc
|
129 abc
|
132 ab
|
116 c
|
23.8 ab
|
23.1 b
|
25.5 a
|
22.3 b
|
22.3 b
|
Watrous'96 |
78
|
70
|
72
|
75
|
81
|
22.2
|
22.3
|
25.1
|
23.3
|
24.4
|
1Seedling numbers and grain yield values followed by the same letter are not significantly different (P=0.05).
Figure 1. Wheat (cv. Pasqua) seedling and grain yield response to side band bolt-on opener and nitrogen rate. Mean of 10 locations in Saskatchewan in 1995 and 1996.
Figure 2. Canola (cv. Maverick) seedling and grain yield response to side band bolt-on opener and nitrogen rate. Mean of 10 locations in Saskatchewan in 1995 and 1996.