Seed Corn Plantability Guidelines

Something went wrong. Please try again later...

Excellent planting accuracy and stands can be achieved with all seed sizes when using appropriate planter adjustments and calibration. These plantability guidelines are designed to provide management tips to help growers achieve maximum planter performance and precise planting accuracy with seed of all sizes.

Batch-Specific Plantability Information

For the most precise recommendations, you can access information for individual seed batch numbers and your specific planter type at www.pioneer.com/plantability .

The digital bag tag functionality in the Pioneer Seeds app allows users to easily scan a seed bag tag to indicate the product and seed size by batch. Once in the tool, planter type can be selected to maximize planter performance and seed-

drop accuracy. The app then generates a customized list with the suggested plate or disc size, pressure or vacuum setting speed, and the singular setting, in addition to the predicted seed drop for each individual batch and planter combination.

Hybrid Plantability with Seed Treatments

LumiGEN® seed treatments provide Pioneer® brand seed corn premium protection against early-season diseases and insects.

LumiGEN seed treatments utilizepolymer coatings for improved seed flow and plantability whilereducing dust-off. Many planter manufacturers recommend adding talc or graphite to the seed to improve plantability. The polymers used as part of seed treatments by Pioneer are not intended as a substitute.

Fluency Agent Advanced from Bayer CropScience is available as an alternative for talc, graphite and talc/graphite blended planter seed lubricants. Fluency Agent helps reduce the amount of total dust and further minimizes the amount of active ingredient potentially released in treated seed dust during planting. Add Fluency Agent at the rate of 1/8 cup per 80,000- kernel unit of seed or 4 3/8 cups per 35 bushels.

IMPORTANT: Mix the Fluency Agent thoroughly into the seed. When filling large central fill seed hoppers, add the Fluency Agent to seed as it is filling the hopper to assure even distribution. DO NOT USE MORE THAN 1/8 CUP PER SEED UNIT! Fluency Agent can be used in all makes and types of planting equipment that recommend the use of a planter seed lubricant.

Bulk Planter Systems

Delivery of seed from center-fill hopper to meter may be impacted by several factors. These include planting time, atmospheric environment, use of planter lubricant, ground speed, level of treatment, and seed size. The liberal use of talc, graphite, or a talc-graphite blend, specific by planter type, is critical. Thorough mixing of these lubricants in seed generally produces the best results. High population settings, combined with high ground speed may create challenges. Conversely, low population settings and/or low ground speed may create another set of challenges for certain seed types and/or treatments due to infrequent movement of the seed in the inductor or mini-hopper. If meters are “starving” for seed, reduced ground speed may provide a solution. The proper fan speed or pressure in the bulk delivery system is an adjustment that can be made to enhance seed delivery. This varies by planter manufacturer. Also, depending on the planter manufacturer, other attachments/adjustments may be available to enhance seed delivery. Consult the planter operator’s manual for proper setting and any troubleshooting guides.

Larger seed, especially with high-rate treatment, can be delivered to the meter and planted accurately if consideration is given to the points above.

Seed Lubricant Guidelines by Planter Manufacturer*

Kinze Manufacturing and John Deere finger-type planters

When planting treated seed, use your planter manufacturer’s recommended amounts of dry powdered graphite. To ensure good seed coverage, add graphite at several levels as the hopper is filled, rather than only on the top.