Preparing for Planting - National Sunflower Association of Canada

NATIONAL SUNFLOWER ASSOCATION OF CANADA
SPECIAL BULLETIN
Preparing for Planting
Achieving the perfect plant stand is hard (to say the least) and to make it even harder, seed
type is continuing to shift from found type to long type confections. To reflect the different
seed size and density, planter settings need to be modified. Here are some steps to help improve consistency of seed placement, uniformity of plant development, and yields.
Clean and adjust your planter. Sunflower seeds have more variation that most other seed
types. Use the recommended plates, fingers and air pressures to help avoid skips and doubles.
See pages 3-5 for plates and planter settings. The planter will need to be recalibrated every
time you switch to planting a different variety.
Soil temperature. Planting sunflower seed into cold soils may cause seed to go into dormancy
causing delayed germination. Soil temperature needs to be at 50 oF or more at your chosen
planting depth (1.5 to 2.5 inches). If planting in the deeper end of this range, consider increasing planting population. Percent emergence will decrease as planting depth is increased, especially for smaller seeds.
Sunflowers need to have excellent seed to soil contact. This is important in all crops, but particularly for sunflower. Moisture first needs to get through woody hull and then to the seed.
Poor seed to soil contact will result in uneven emergence. Make sure the soil slice is pressed
firmly against the seed at planting and the furrow is closed following seed placement.
If planting into a no-till field, stop and check incrementally that the planter is knifing into the
soil. Planting into a field with wet residue can cause ‘hair-pinning’ - pushing straw into the
seed slot instead of slicing through it. It is usually more of a problem with air drills. Solution—
may have to wait until residue dries until slicing become easier , sharpen drill discs/blades or
adjust down pressure.
Plant about 10% above the desired final plant population. Desired plant populations:
Oilseeds—20,000-22,000 plants/ac
Confection in-shell—17,000-19,000 plants/ac
Dehull—18,000—20,000 plants/ac
Birdfood—21,000-23,000 plants/ac
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NATIONAL SUNFLOWER ASSOCATION OF CANADA
SPECIAL BULLETIN
Calibrate and pay attention to speed. Calibration is crucial to achieving an even plant stand, not
only when changing from one variety to another, but also between different seed lots of the
same seed size designation due to differences in seed size, shape and weight. Speed is often
more of an issue with plate and finger-type planters. Going too fast results in inconsistent seed
placement and uneven emergence. As speed increases, vibration increases. Proper air/vacuum
pressure and properly calibrated seed meters lessen the impact of increased speeds.
Many new style planters have a minimum speed requirement to keep the seed disk at the optimal rpm to ensure proper seed singulation.
Match up planter plates with specific hybrids and seed size. Commercial seed companies have
plate recommendations for all seed sizes. Pages 3-5 have information on planter plates and
settings.
Graphite or Talc? Most operator manuals recommend that a lubricant is used. Seed treatments
may cause deterioration in seed singling, spacing accuracy, and seed flow into the vacuum seed
meter. The options are graphite or talc; they are not interchangeable. Generally talc is used in
vacuum and air planters, and graphite in finger pick-up planters. If the manual calls for a seed
lubricant, be sure to use it and at the specified rate.
Modifications—Precision Planting provides attachments and control systems to modify planters
to increase planting accuracy. See website for more information (www.precisionplanting.com) .
For further information planting sunflower and troubleshooting problems:

Contact your local planter dealership

Contact your seed dealer—many seed dealers have seed meter set-up recommendations
in place

Consult the Confection Planting Guide & Troubleshooting Tips, Jan. 2008 on the National
Sunflower Association of U.S.A. John Smith, agricultural engineer at University of Nebraka
-Scottsbluff offers solutions for common planting issues. http:/www.sunflowernsa.com/
magazine/details.asp?ID=510&Cat=6

There are many other articles on the National Sunflower Association U.S. website ad
dressing planting issues and how to achieve optimal plant spacing.
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Initial Planter Seed Meter Set-Up Recommendations For Sunflower Seed
Notes: 1. Always consult your planter operator manual and your local planter dealer for best settings. The
following recommendations are starting points only. Each particular seed lot, planter condition, and field
speed may require different adjustments. Differences of shape, size and weight of seed between seed lots
of the same seed size designation may require different seed plates or planter adjustments. Test your
planter meter and your seed on a good planter test stand before planting to determine best settings at
your field speed.
2. Most planer operator manuals recommend either graphite or talc be mixed with the seed to provide
improved seed flow and/or lubrication to the planter meter components. This is especially important for
planting sunflower. See your operator manual or planter dealer for the recommended material and rate.
Planter
Model
Component or
Adjustment
Seed plate:
Meter brush:
Vacuum (in. H2O):
John Deere
MaxEmerge
Vacuum Seed
Meter
Baffle position:
Knockout wheel or
wiper:
Size #4
Oil Seed Size
Size #3
Size #2
Confection Seed
(long, narrow, XL)
(~7500 seeds/lb)
(~6500 seeds/lb)
(~5500 seeds/lb)
(~3000 seeds/lb)
H136478
A52390
A52390
A52391
Long
Long
Long
Long
3
6
5
12
Down
Up
Up
Up
Wiper
Knockout
AA37348
Knockout
Knockout
AA37348
AA37348
Block half of hole
Block half of hole
Block half of hole
Double eliminator None, or moved
(AA61046):
up
Precision
Planting
eSet in
John Deere
MaxEmerge
Vacuum Seed
Meter
Kinze
EdgeVac
Vacuum
Seed Meter
Seedtube:
Standard
Standard
Standard
A56786 (wide)
Seed plate:
7200031
7200031
7200032
720003
Vacuum (in. H2O):
7-8
7 - 12
12 - 13
12
Singulator part no.:
720230
720230
720230
720273
Extractor:
720117
720117
720117
720117
Up
(with hose)
Up
(with hose)
Up
Up
Seedtube:
Standard
Standard
Standard
A56786 (wide)
Seed disc:
GD18098
GD18098
GD18098
GD18098
Vacuum (in. H2O):
20
20
20
20
Singulator setting:
5
5
5
5
Cleanout brush with
ball ejector:
GA12154
GA12154
GA12154
GA12154
Seedtube:
EdgeVac
EdgeVac
EdgeVac
EdgeVac
Deflector position
(“paperclip”):
Note:
The Kinze ASD bulk seed system works well with #2,3 & 4 oil seeds but at present is not
recommended for confection seed. Recommended 8-15 inches H2O ASD pressure.
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Oil Seed Size
Planter
Component or
Model
Adjustment
#3
#2
(~7500 seeds/lb)
(~6500 seeds/lb)
(~5500 seeds/lb)
(long, narrow, XL)
(~3000 seeds/lb)
A52390
A52390
A52390
A52391
Singulator setting:
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
Vacuum (in. H2O):
5
8
12
12
Knockout wheel:
AA37348
AA37348
AA37348
AA37348
Seedtube:
Standard
Standard
Standard
A56786 (wide)
Seed plate:
John Deere
Pro-Series
Vacuum Seed
Meter
Note:
For the long, narrow confection only 1.) If bridging occurs just above the CCS tank manifold, try
adjusting the CCS tank pressure from 10 inches of water to as low as 6 inches of water. 2.) If plugging
occurs in the mini-hopper elbow, try reducing the CCS tank pressure. If that does not help, see your
local Deere dealer for information non how to modify the mini-hopper elbow. 3.) Low seed
populations or low field speeds may cause the hydraulic drive to operate at rotation speeds to low to
maintain accurate seed spacing. See your local Deere dealer for information on how to correctly
convert your 40 cell seed plate to 20 cells. 4.) If seed bridging occurs within the seed meter, try the 50
hole edible bean plate A52904 which will have more agitation but you will need to change
transmission settings, double eliminator (AA69016), and knockout wheel (AA3844).
Seed plate:
CaseIH
ASM
1200 Series
Vacuum
Seed Meter
2423
2423 (or 2440)
2440
2440 (or 2455)
Singulator setting:
3
3 (2)
2
2
Vacuum (in. H2O):
25
25 (18)
20
25 (18)
Baffle position:
2
2
2
2
852437, or
700730352
852437, or
700730352
852435
852435, 852434, or
852436
1-1¼
1-1¼
1 - 1½
1 -2
⅓
⅓
⅓
Remove gate
700730684
700730684
Standard or
700730684
Standard or
700730684
Seed plate:
Air pressure (in. H2O):
White
5000, 6000, &
8000 Series
Positive Air
Seed Meter
Seed gate position:
Tickler brush:
Note:
Confection Seed
#4
Seed plate selection, tickler brush, and air pressure are very sensitive to sunflower seed shape.
Test your meter and your seed on a planter test stand before planting.
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Planter
Model
John Deere
Corn Finger
Pickup Seed
Meter
Finger Pickup Seed
Meters
Kinze
Finger Pickup Seed
Meter
Confection Seed
(~7500 seeds/lb)
(~6500 seeds/lb)
(~5500 seeds/lb)
(long, narrow, XL)
(~3000 seeds/lb)
Small or large finger:
Small
Small (or large)
Large
Large
Backing plate:
Standard
Standard
Standard
Large hole
Seedtube:
Standard
Standard
Standard
A26184 (wide)
Note:
#4
Sunflower finger set
343067
PopMax Backing Sunflower 342111
Plate: with insert “C”
Brush:
Note:
#2
This finger pickup mechanism may not provide good sunflower seed singulation or accurate
seed spacing, especially with confection seed. Performance is very dependent on field speed
and individual seed size and shape.
Precision Finger Set:
Precision Planting
‘PrecisionMeter’
Options in John
Deere or Kinze
Oil Seed Size
#3
Component or
Adjustment
Sunflower finger
set 343067
Standard finger
set 343029
Sunflower 342111
with insert “C”
Standard 342103
with insert “A”
Brushless block
blank 343091
Adjustable brush
(Included in 343103)
Adjust as needed
Brushless block
blank 343091
This finger pickup is not a recommended way to plant sunflower seeds and will often not
provide good sunflower seed singulation or accurate seed spacing.
Small or large finger:
Small
(GR1897)
Small
(GR1897)
Small
(GR1897)
Backing plate:
Large hole
(GR0664)
Large hole
(GR0664)
Large hole (GR0664)
Lift CAM: GB0111 or GB0410 GB0111 or GB0410
Seedtube:
Note:
Not recommended
for XL confection
seed
Standard
Standard
Not recommended
for confection seed
GB0111 or GB0410
Standard
The Kinze ASD bulk seed system works well with #2,3 & 4 oil seeds byt at present is not
recommended for confection seed. Recommend 8-15 inches H2O ASD pressure.
The source for these recommendations for initial setup for seed meters for planting sunflowers is a combination of planter operator manuals, sunflower industry recommendations, direct contact with the planter
manufactures, and planter testing at the University of Nebraska
Recommendations compiled by: John A. Smith
University of Nebraska
June 9, 2011
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