Sowing

As a seed (also sowing or sowing ) refers to the sowing of seeds in the seedbed, but also " the sown " and " from the seed -raised ".

• 3.1 fall
• 3.2 Winter
• 3.3 spring

Methods

There are different Saatmethoden, for example, broadcast seed, seed drilling and precision drilling in agriculture.

• Broadcast sowing is the Sämethode used since ancient times. Due to the number of grains in the hand per litter, the litter width and the stride length of the sower gives the amount of seed per unit area. The broadcast sowing is an inaccurate method. Today the seed in arable farming, gardening and landscaping is usually done by machine in parallel rows with equal distances between the rows ( row spacing ) and within the rows and uniform seeding depth.

• When seed drilling the grains are stored by drill in rows - this procedure is used mainly in cereals. This pull small seed shares a groove in the seedbed; through a pipe, the seeds are placed.

• The precision drilling is used in crops such as sugar beets and corn are used, in which a uniform plant spacing is desired. The precision seeder sets with pneumatic or mechanical controls the seeds from the nearest centimeter, even within the ranks with equal intervals.

The spreading of seeds with the help of special agricultural technology such as drills and single grain devices spread from 1930 In practical agriculture in the 21st century, the seed drill is predominant: Several operations - seedbed preparation, seed placement, harrows, rollers - to be done at the same machine. .

At lower row spacings (eg in cereal ) can be omitted in conventional farming already when sowing individual rows so that later in plant population remain unvegetated tramlines. Through these streets can be driven through the field with care measures as well as the application of fertilizers and pesticides with the tractor without damaging the crops.

Requirements

Soil and light

The basic rule for the sowing, the rule of thumb that three times the longest seed diameter is the correct sowing depth. In addition, however, each has to be considered typical of plant physiology, in particular the dormancy has to be overcome. The germination of the seed requires moisture and a different type of plant minimum soil temperature.

These requirements come to the light conditions. For example, wheat is a "dark germinator ", ie, the seed must be well covered with earth. In contrast, rye is a light to germinate. Already in the 19th century was the farmer saying: " Roggensaat want to see the sky ." Young farmers were already then encouraged to sow the rye during a waxing moon, though the moonlight under a clear sky at night is less than a three- hundred-thousandth of daylight.

Choice of sowing time

The optimal Säzeit is first determined by the plant species and is still regionally very different. Plants respond to the sunshine duration and temperature greatly. In summer, the day length ( sunrise to sunset) in Schleswig -Holstein to an hour longer than in Baden- Württemberg and the average temperature is lower by 5-10 ° C. The rainfall is regionally very different. All these factors have a direct influence on the choice of crop rotation, variety selection and crop production.

Tillage

To allow germination of the seed, the soil has to be prepared accordingly. By Tillage an even and feinkrümeliges seedbed is prepared to allow a uniform placement of seeds and to create a good site for the later plants. Furthermore, by the conduction of the sunlight and the water supply is ensured - both are necessary for germination.

Seasons

The season of sowing is essential for plant growth. Photoperiodism influences the timing and progression of vegetative and reproductive phase of plants.

In short days (less than 12 hours of sunlight ) will cause " long-day plants " to vegetative growth. In long days (more than 12 hours of sun ) is introduced the generative phase of the long-day plants. It comes to the flowering and seed formation. In the Garden " shoots " then the lettuce, in the corn field starts with " earing ", in the meadows bloom most grasses.

Seeds are long-day plants, such as canola or mustard, in short days after August 20, so they develop a lot of green mass in autumn, but no more flowers. This trick is used in agriculture for many decades for the autumn fodder and green manure.

Autumn

In September to October, the winter cereals are sown. Winter cereals needs a vernalization by frost to shoot in the spring.

Winter

The Schneesaat is an old seed process in birch. The seed is applied here in the winter on the snow. A tillage is required when doing so.

Spring

The month of March is the Säzeitpunkt for summer cereals. In April, beets, corn, and the Sow follow many types of vegetables or herbs such as peas, radish, radishes, beans, lettuce, spinach, parsley, dill and many more. As the soil temperature in the field for the germination of certain plant species is not sufficient, they are not sown in the field, but in the greenhouse (tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and peppers ) brought forward and then planted in the field.