Dry Sowing of Wheat Seeds
1.11 - Dry Sowing of Wheat Seeds
Dylan Davey, University of Guelph, Canada
Related video(s): How to plant seeds in dry soil (a beginner's guide)
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Davey, D. (2022) Dry Sowing of Wheat Seeds. In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. farmpedia.org
Overall Problem
Due to irregular or delayed rainfall, smallholders' customary planting techniques are being disrupted by climate change (Mubiru et al., 2018). For example, South Asian farming communities are feeling the effects of climate change, as seen by the delayed planting seasons that cause wheat growth to coincide with heatwaves and, ultimately, lower yields (Verma, 2022). By allowing farmers to plant ahead of the first rainfall, dry sowing presents a proactive option to manage climate change (Mubiru et al., 2018).
What is Dry Sowing?
A farming technique called "dry sowing," or "dry seeding," is planting seeds into dry soil before the start of the rainy season (Fletcher et al., 2015). In areas with problematic soil and water management, it is advised (Dawn News, 2004). By using the least amount of water possible throughout the planting process, dry sowing greatly improves water use efficiency, which is especially important in areas where water is limited (Grahmann et al., 2021). It does, however, limit the options available for controlling weeds, because the lack of water during seeding might make it difficult to apply pre-emergence herbicides or suppress weeds mechanically (Grahmann et al., 2021).
What are the Benefits of Dry Sowing?
Dry sowing offers several advantages that contribute to enhancing sustainability in farming practices. Farmers can sow before it rains, which guarantees that the seeds are prepared to take up moisture when the first rains arrive. This early start outcompetes weeds and increases crop germination (Grahmann et al., 2021). To maximize the use of manpower and oxen, farmers might also stagger their planting chores, redirecting resources to wheat before it rains and other crops can be sown. In general, dry sowing improves resource management, weed control, and moisture absorption for higher agricultural yield. First, it helps manage weeds by limiting the circumstances required for weed growth, mainly by lowering the amount of moisture available during the sowing stage (Grahmann et al., 2021). This leads to a general suppression of the weed population, which improves the growing conditions for crops (Grahmann et al., 2021).
Additionally, dry sowing is associated with improved water use efficiency, as it allows crops to establish root systems more effectively and utilize available moisture earlier, ultimately leading to better crop yields (Grahmann et al., 2021). Furthermore, this method contributes to soil quality enhancement by promoting better soil structure and nutrient retention, thereby creating a more conducive environment for crop growth and development (Grahmann et al., 2021). Moreover, the benefits extend to the operational efficiency of farming practices. Specifically, dry sowing enables farmers to sow their crops on time, optimizing the use of machinery and labour resources available to them (Fletcher et al., 2015). It also helps in mitigating heat stress during critical stages of crop growth, such as grain filling, by initiating the flowering process earlier in the growing season (Fletcher et al., 2015). Additionally, the method facilitates the consistent sowing of larger farm areas, allowing farmers to cover more land efficiently and effectively (Fletcher et al., 2015).
Economic Benefits
For farmers, dry sowing wheat has several economic advantages. First, because farmers can effectively sow crops ahead of the rains, it enables greater utilization of available resources, including labour and machinery (Fletcher et al., 2015). Costs are reduced and productivity per input unit is raised as a result of this improvement. Furthermore, dry sowing can provide greater yields than conventional wet sowing techniques, particularly in areas with less rainfall and more erratic weather patterns (Fletcher et al., 2015). More produce to sell means higher yields, which increases farmers' income. Furthermore, dry sowing can improve grain quality and possibly increase grain prices by allowing earlier flowering and lessening heat stress during grain filling (Fletcher et al., 2015). More consistent crop yields and income over time are also ensured by the capacity to continuously plant bigger farm areas despite differences in weather, which adds to the overall economic sustainability of farming operations (Fletcher et al., 2015). Overall, dry sowing wheat offers economic advantages such as better yields, more stable farm incomes, better use of resources, and increased grain quality.
How Farmers Can Implement Dry Sowing
Farmers can successfully execute dry sowing for wheat and maximize crop yields by carefully following these steps and modifying practices based on local conditions and knowledge. The principle is that the seeds are sown deep, where there is more moisture, it is cooler, and away from the surface heat and dry conditions (Shroyer, 2017):
Step by step: If at all possible, plant seeds deeper than usual into the available moisture layers.
1. Assess soil moisture content to see if planting deeper is practical.
2. Select varieties of wheat that are appropriate for deep planting, specifically those that generate long coleoptiles so that the shoot is able to emerge from the soil.
3. To stop soil erosion and blowing, make ridges with a hoe drill.
4. Use a seed drill to penetrate the dry, hard soil.
5. Modify seeding rates in light of probable decreased emergence rates.
6. Keep a careful eye on emergence and solve any problems right away.
Critical Analysis
Even though dry sowing seems like a workable solution to the issues brought on by climate-change-related unpredictable rainfall patterns, an analysis uncovers numerous issues that need to be considered. Getting hold of dry sowing drills continues to be the major challenge for small scale farmers. The cost of a wheat seeder drill starts at around USD $1,880 (Alibaba, n.d.). Dawn News' (2004) observations highlight how persistent these issues are in rural communities. This demonstrates the ongoing obstacles that farmers encounter when attempting to implement dry-sowing techniques, since the required equipment is either unavailable or inaccessible. To overcome these challenges, initiatives should focus on expanding farmers' access to dry sowing drills via loan or subsidy programs, providing farmers with technical assistance and training on dry sowing methods, and making infrastructural improvements to expedite the adoption process. Alternatively, farmers should consider sharing resources, such as within a cooperative or farmer group. Innovations that decrease the cost of this equipment are needed.
Practical Resources to Get Started
A video for beginners, showing how to plant in dry soils
Growing wheat: optimal conditions, timing and techniques
Conclusion
Lastly, dry sowing provides a proactive method of dealing with the disturbances brought on by unpredictable rainfall patterns associated with climate change. Dry sowing guarantees that seeds will be ready to absorb moisture upon the first rains, promoting early germination and suppressing weeds by enabling farmers to plant before the first rainfall. Additionally, it helps farmers spread out planting tasks to maximize manpower and livestock use. The technique improves weed control, moisture absorption, and resource management, which eventually raises agricultural production and provides smallholders with a secure source of income. Dry sowing has several benefits, including the potential to improve agricultural sustainability and reduce labour and fuel expenses. However, to ensure that smallholder farmers can take advantage of this farming approach, significant support and infrastructural improvements are necessary.
References
1. Alibaba. (n.d.). Seed drill. Seed drills for spaced planting with minimal soil disturbance. Link
2. Dawn News. (2004). Dry sowing of wheat: Benefits and problems. Link
3. Grahmann, K., Honsdorf, N., Crossa, J., et al. (2021). Dry sowing reduced durum wheat performance under irrigated conservation agriculture. Field Crops Research, 274, 1-10. DOI
4. Fletcher, A., Robertson, M., Abrecht, D., et al. (2015). Dry sowing increases farm-level wheat yields but not production risks in a Mediterranean environment. Agricultural Systems, 136, 114-124. DOI
5. Loos, R., & Mercer, S. (2023). Inputs and profits: Current conditions prove there's nothing magical about farming math. U.S. Wheat Associates. Link
6. Mubiru, D., Randeny, M., Kyazze, F., Zziwa, A., Lwasa, J., Kinyangi, J., & Mungai, C. (2018). Climate trends, risks and coping strategies in smallholder farming systems in Uganda. Climate Risk Management, 22, 4-21. DOI
7. Pennington, D. (2017). Planting wheat into dry soil. Michigan State University Education. Link
8. Verma, A. (2022). In South Asia, record heat threatens the future of farming. UN Environment, Climate Action. Link