Sowing / Early Transplanting

From Triple Performance


1. Presentation

Characterization of the technique

Description of the technique :

 

Jacques Girard Chambre d'agriculture du Calvados j.girard(at)calvados.chambagri.fr Caen (14)
Adeline Michel CER France - Normandie amichel(at)50.cerfrance.fr Fleury sur Orne (14)
François Dumoulin Chambre d'Agriculture de l'Oise françois.dumoulin(at)agri60.fr Fresnoy le Luat (60)
Julien Halska INRA julien.halska(at)grignon.inra.fr Dijon (21)

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Sow the crop two to three weeks before the current conventional sowing date and ideally after a ploughing. The effectiveness of the technique is enhanced for crops that are nitrophilous sown in soil containing a large amount of available nitrogen (after a legume, or after a previous crop whose yield was much lower than the objective set for the calculation of the balance dose, or in case of export or low degradation of crop residues with high C/N ratio).


Example of implementation : In the Paris basin, sow winter oilseed rape on August 5 (after ploughing), instead of the usual August 25. In Normandy, in a less continental climate, sow between August 15 and 20 instead of August 25 to September 10.


Implementation period On established crop


Winter cereals (except triticale), are not listed among the crops concerned by this technique. Indeed, it seems that the increase in weeds pressure is greater than the advantage related to the additional days available for mechanical weeding and the crop's smothering capacity. Moreover, early sowing may require insecticide protection.


Spatial scale of implementation Plot

Application of the technique to...

Négatif All crops : Not generalizable


This technique applies to sufficiently smothering crops whose conventional sowing date is earlier than the preferred emergence period of the dominant flora of the plot. Documented examples are oilseed rape (winter) and spring barley.


Winter oilseed rape: Sow 2 weeks before the conventional date, regardless of soil moisture at that time.


Spring barley: Sow as early as possible, on sufficiently dry soil. Choose a variety capable of emerging at lower temperatures than spring weeds.


Sweet corn, Grain maize, Silage maize : Mainly for the objective of increasing autonomy in water. For weeds, to be verified: avoidance of very summer weed emergence (grasses like panicum, setaria, digitaria), then smothering (at least in the row) by more advanced development. Allows to avoid all or part of the European corn borer flight in areas with only one generation per year.


Spring peas: Avoidance of the main activity period of pea weevils is a lead to study (observed occasionally in Normandy).


Winter triticale: Advancement of sowing date to allow more days available for late autumn mechanical weeding. The advantage provided by this technique is less obvious for this crop.


Soft wheat, Spelt, Egrain, Emmer, Durum wheat, Winter barley, Rye, winter triticale: avoid late sowing and promote rapid plant development against common bunt.


Neutre All soil types : Generalization sometimes delicate


If the crop is sown during summer on soil with low available water capacity, the risk of water stress is increased. The possibility of early sowing depends on soil condition at the chosen time. This can be difficult in April for maize sowing if the soil is not dry enough.


Neutre All climatic contexts : Generalization sometimes delicate


If the crop is sown during summer in a dry context, the risk of water stress is increased. In the same context, the risk of elongation in oilseed rape is also increased. In spring, beware of frost risk for early sowing.

2. Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system

"Environmental" criteria

Positif Effect on air quality : Increasing


Phytosanitary emissions : DECREASE


GHG emissions : DECREASE


Positif Effect on water quality : Increasing


N.P. : DECREASE


Pesticides : DECREASE


Positif Effect on fossil resource consumption : Decreasing


Fossil energy consumption : DECREASE


Neutre Other : No effect (neutral)


Pollutant transfer to water (N, P, phytosanitary ...): Decrease


Reduction in herbicide use and in the case of oilseed rape, reduction of nitrate leaching risk which is better utilized by the crop. Note, in the case of maize, the weeding strategy must be adapted and may lead to increased treatments. In the case of triticale, insecticide protection may be necessary.


Pollutant transfer to air (N, P, phytosanitary ...): Decrease


Reduction in herbicide use. Note, in the case of maize, the weeding strategy must be adapted and may lead to increased treatments.


Fossil energy consumption: Decrease


Slight possible decrease on oilseed rape because better utilization of residues in summer-autumn allows reducing nitrogen fertilization in spring.


GHG emissions: Decrease


Slight possible decrease for N2O on oilseed rape because better utilization of residues in summer-autumn allows reducing nitrogen fertilization in spring.


Erosion risk: Decrease


Erosion risk is limited by early soil cover during risky periods (in the case of early sowing of autumn crops).

"Agronomic" criteria

Neutre Soil fertility : No effect (neutral)


Neutre Water stress : Variable


Depends on crops and sowing periods. In the case of oilseed rape, a small rain is enough for emergence. However, the risk of water stress increases for early sowing in summer on soils with low available water capacity or if the climate is dry at that time. For spring crops, early sowing allows better alignment of the cycle with risk periods (e.g. for spring barley).


Neutre Functional Biodiversity : No knowledge on impact


The effect of early sowing dates on functional biodiversity is little documented and probably limited. The presence of cover and less soil disturbance (compared to a false seedbed strategy) are probably favorable to some organisms.


Neutre Other agronomic criteria : No knowledge on impact


Risk of poor establishment: Increase


This risk increases when sowing is done under poor climatic conditions (especially frost for spring barley or slower maize development thus increasing wireworm attack risk) and may lead to yield losses.


Potential to reach optimal cold resistance stage (oilseed rape): Increase


This stage is more likely to be reached with early sowing. However, be careful not to exceed it in atypical years like 2011. Choose varieties less sensitive to elongation (hybrid oilseed rape varieties are poorly suited to early sowing).


Harvest conditions quality (maize): Increase


For maize, early sowing improves harvest conditions (limited exposure of the crop to frost, earlier harvest of drier grains). Moreover, it reduces the risk related to mycotoxins on maize, as well as on wheat that follows (-200ppb on wheat on average per week gained at maize harvest, according to a Syngenta survey).

"Economic" criteria

Positif Operational costs : Decreasing


On oilseed rape, if early sowing occurs in soil well supplied with nitrogen residues, spring fertilization can be reduced.


Neutre Mechanization costs : No effect (neutral)


Positif Margin : Increasing

"Social" criteria

Neutre Working time : No effect (neutral)


Neutre Peak period : Variable


Early sowing of oilseed rape may compete with wheat harvest (but not with other crops like peas or spring barley).


Neutre Observation time : No effect (neutral)

4. Favored or disadvantaged organisms

Favored Bioagressors

Organism Impact of the technique Type Details
Tomato moth MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite To verify if it also attacks maize
cercospora leaf spot MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor)
fusarium head blight MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Barley disease favored by early sowing on spring barley. To be confirmed.
trichothecene fusarioses A barley MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Barley disease favored by early sowing on spring barley. To be confirmed.
trichothecene fusarioses B zearalenone cereals MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Barley disease favored by early sowing on spring barley. To be confirmed.
helminthosporium leaf spot of barley MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Net blotch of barley Disease (with two synonymous names) possibly favored by early sowing on spring barley. To be confirmed.
microdochium on leaves MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Barley disease favored by early sowing on spring barley. To be confirmed.
cutworm MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite To verify
oat fly MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite
beet powdery mildew MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Influence intensity medium to strong.
powdery mildew of cereals MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor)
take-all MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) On winter soft wheat.
sharp eyespot MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) On soft wheat winter.
European corn borer MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite To verify
ramularia leaf spot of barley MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Diseases possibly favored by early sowing on spring barley. To be confirmed.
rhynchosporium MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) If winter sowing under mild climate
brown rust MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) On winter soft wheat.
beet rust MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor)
yellow rust MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Contradictory effects according to sources.
scutigera MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite
septoria leaf blotch MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor)
sesamia MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite To verify
wireworm MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite
cabbage stem sawfly MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite
barley mosaic virus MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) To verify

Disadvantaged bioagressors

Disadvantaged Bioagressors

Organism Impact of the technique Type Details
White amaranth MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
Blite amaranth MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
Prostrate amaranth LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
Hybrid amaranth MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
Reflective amaranth MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
Sterile brome LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
Manyseed goosefoot LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
Wild oat LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
Theophraste's abutilon MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
field lady's mantle weeds
oilseed rape flea beetle MEDIUM pest, predator or parasite Provided that oilseed rape benefits from the early sowing date for rapid vegetative growth in late August - early September.
ragweed LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
common anthriscus LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
thalius rockcress LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
spreading orach weeds
Louisiana wild oat LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
intermediate barbarée LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
tripartite bident MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
cornflower LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
irregular calepine LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
hairy bittercress LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
common bunt of wheat MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) Early autumn sowing favors rapid plant development, which can no longer be contaminated from the 2-leaf stage.
white goosefoot LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
wall goosefoot LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
hybrid goosefoot LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
Nîmes hawkweed LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
jimsonweed MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
redroot pigweed MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
cypress-leaved erodium LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
small spurge LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
petty spurge weeds
small-flowered fumitory LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
fusarioses producing fumonisins pathogen (bioagressor)
trichothecene fusarioses in maize pathogen (bioagressor)
cleavers LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
cottonweed LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
tuberous vetchling LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
field gromwell LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
curled endive LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
large-fruited hemp-nettle MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
slug pest, predator or parasite
bastard toadflax LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
lesser toadflax LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
elatine toadflax LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
field bindweed LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
hedge bindweed LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
field mallow LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
round-leaved mint LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
annual mercury LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
black nightshade MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
cereal gray fly pest, predator or parasite
field chickweed weeds
field forget-me-not LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
hair grass MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
false millet panic MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
cock's-foot panic MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
dichotomous panic MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
field speedwell LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
drave speedwell LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
argemone poppy LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
corn poppy LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
venus' comb LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
field pansy LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
corn parsley LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
paradoxical phalaris LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
phoma of crucifers MEDIUM pathogen (bioagressor) To be implemented only in nitrogen-poor soils.
ten-stamened pokeweed MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
false hawkweed picris LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
greater plantain LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
European corn borer pest, predator or parasite
marsh buttercup LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
persicaria knotweed LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
patience-leaved knotweed LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
small dock LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
rapunzel mignonette LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
field sherardia LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
hedge mustard LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
Aleppo sorghum MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
venus' looking glass LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
glaucous setaria MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
green setaria MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
whorled setaria MEDIUM weeds Weeds with strictly preferential summer emergence In maize, some weeds are favored by systematic early sowing, especially dicotyledons (knotweed, bindweed knotweed, chickweed, linaria…).
tall tordylium LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
field torilis LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
knotted hedgeparsley LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
coltsfoot LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
common vervain LOW weeds Possible emergence in spring but not in winter For spring barley. Also true for other spring crops?
rat's-tail fescue weeds
field wild oat LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
field speedwell LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?
ivy-leaved speedwell weeds
hemlock water-dropwort LOW weeds Weeds capable of emerging in autumn but not in summer May be disadvantaged in oilseed rape, soft wheat, durum wheat. Also true for other autumn cereals?

Disadvantaged Bioagressors

5. For further information

  • Weed management
    -Cetiom


CETIOM, rapeseed section, organic rapeseed subsection, Website, 2011

  • Establishment. The winning early sowing
    -C.W.


Cultivar the monthly n°497, 13 November 2000, Press article, 2000


Press article. On spring barley, unrelated to weed management.

  • Early sowing is gaining more and more followers
    -Reibel C. (Réussir grandes cultures)


Réussir grain crops n°232, January 2010, Press article, 2010


CETIOM, rapeseed section, organic rapeseed subsection, Website, 2011

  • Development of integrated rapeseed protection : example of phoma (Leptosphaeria maculans)
    -Aubertot J.N. (INRA); Reau R. (CETIOM); Dupeuble F. (CETIOM); Grippon S. (CETIOM); Penaud A. (CETIOM); Pinochet X. (CETIOM); Taverne M. (CETIOM)


Oleaginous crops, fats, lipids Volume 10, Number 3, 202-7, May 2003, Peer-reviewed journal article, 2003

  • Early maize sowing - Adapting the itinerary to take advantage of its benefits
    -Carpentier M. (Terre-Net)


Terre-Net, published on 11/09/2010, Press article, 2010


Early maize sowing - Adapting the itinerary to take advantage of its benefits

  • Crop protection strategies saving phytosanitary products
    -Gran Aymerich L.


Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing, University thesis, 2006


Engineering thesis. Sheet n°7 of the thesis largely inspired this technical sheet.




6. Keywords

Bioagressor control method : Cultural control


Mode of action : Avoidance


Type of strategy regarding pesticide use : Redesign

Appendices

S'applique aux cultures suivantes

Favorise les bioagresseurs suivants

Défavorise les bioagresseurs suivants