Influence of Seed Orientation on Bean Seedling Emergence

Bowers, S.A. and Hayden, C.W. (1972) Influence of Seed Orientation on Bean Seedling Emergence. Agronomy Journal. 64(6):736-738.

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Abstract

Observation from an unrelated field bean experiment
indicated that certain seed orientations might reduce
emergence. Consequently, studies were initiated to determine
if orientation variations occur in planting and if
these variations influence emergence.

Orientation of bean seeds, dropped into both "V" and
flat-bottom furrows, were classified and tabulated. In
"V" furrows almost all orientations were possible; 36% assumed
the "lay-flat" orientation. In the flat-bottom furrow
85% of the beans were in the "lay-flat" position. The
influence of 11 different seed orientations on emergence
was evaluated in greenhouse studies. With crusted soils
seeds planted "hypocotyl end down" produced significantly
less emerged seedlings (1% level) and a lower emergence
rate. Orientation effects were observed to a lesser
degree in noncrusted soils.

The adverse influence of "hypocotyl end down" orientations
was attributed to seed rotation within the soil. For
controlled plantings the "lay-flat" orientation is recommended
due to both its high frequency of occurrence and
high emergence.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0243
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Bean / dry bean Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:51
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2017 23:08
Item ID:	231
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/231