Vaderstad RAPID RD F Series, Instructions Manual

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Advice on sowing
74 Ver.07/06/01 07/06/01
4.13 Spring sowing
To ensure good emergence after spring tillage, the following points should be observed:
! Level the soil in the autumn until the surface variation is 10 cm or less.
! Sow early, this requires good capacity and technology
! Ensure a uniform sowing depth
! Avoid incorporating dry soil into the germination zone
! Re-compact very loose soil
! Sow in moist soil
! Firm the rows
! Use the following harrow to create an evaporation barrier on the surface
4.14 The Väderstad concept - spring sowing - “Till a bit
shallower and drill a bit deeper”
This applies mainly to clay soils.
The Väderstad concept is based on very shallow, light cultivation in the spring followed by Rapid
drilling where the seed is cut into the moist seedbed to a controlled depth. This fulfils the demands
for an evaporation barrier and a moist germination zone in a unique way.
Recommendations:
! Do not cultivate too deep, 2-3 cm.
! This should be 4 cm when drilling cereals on clay soils
! The pressure and angle of the following harrow should be adjusted so that wheel tracks are er-
adicated.
This is a very reliable method of establishment!
4.15 The Tolefors concept
The Tolefors concept - spring sowing into soil well-tilled in autumn - is an increasingly popular
spring sowing method. The method is based on levelling the soil well in the autumn after heavy
cultivation but avoiding fine tillage, and then direct drilling early in spring without any previous
spring tillage.
Recommendations for early direct drilling:
1 Level the soil in the autumn
2 Use low tractor tyre pressure, < 50 kPa.
3 Grey layer on the surface, 2-3 cm dry soil.
4 The soil should be moist but pliable for the drill
5 For very early drilling, with practically no dry surface layer, use of tine beams or following
harrow is not recommended.
6 Sowing depth 4 cm, well within the moist layer. Sowing of spring rape not advisable.
7 Sow headlands last, if possible.
8 Seed rate plus 0-10% due to slight clogging during very early drilling.
9 Check the evaporation barrier, for pan formation and remove stones 5-10 days after sowing.