Seed Rate, Formula, Objectives, and Factors

 

Definition of Seed Rate

Seed rate may be defined as the amount of seed required for a unit area of land to grow any crop successfully. In other words, the amount of seed required to raise a crop successfully on a given land is called a seed rate for that crop of the land. Finally, the amount of seed that is required to be planted in a unit area of land is called the seed rate.

Seed Rate Formula

The following formula calculates seed rate:

Where,

• WTS = Weight of thousand seedlings in gram
• DPP = Desired plant population
• PSA = Pure Percentage of safety allowance
• PP = Percentage of purity
• PG = Percentage of germination

Objectives of seed rate calculation

• To ensure the number plant population in the field.
• To reduce the wastage of seeds.
• To know in advance the amount of seed to be required for a particular land.
• To increase the yield and quality of a crop.
• To reduce the cost of cultivation of crops.

Factors affecting seed rate calculation

Following factors are considered for determining the seed rate –

• Desired plant population (DPP)
• Percentage of germination (PG)
• Purity percentage (PP)
• Pure Percentage of safety allowance (PSA)
• Weight of seed.
• The number of seeds per pit.
• Planting method.
• Soil productivity.
• Varied morphology.
• Growing season.
• Viability of seed.
• Age of seed.
• Size of seed.
• Objectives of crop cultivation – Food purpose, Seed purpose.