Publications

Soil temperature for germination

Description

Soil temperature can serve as a useful guide for timing spring seeding operations. Once the seed is planted, it is important that germination proceed uniformly and without delay. If the soil is... More ≫

Description

Soil temperature can serve as a useful guide for timing spring seeding operations. Once the seed is planted, it is important that germination proceed uniformly and without delay. If the soil is too cool, germination is delayed, which results in seed damage and uneven or inadequate seeding emergence. It may even be necessary to reseed. On the other hand, if the soil is unusually warm in the spring, it may be better to seed earlier than normal. In either case the soil temperature at seeding depth can be a practical guide.

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Protection against frost damage

Description

Frost risk is an important fact of life for agriculture. Freezing temperatures restrict the length of the growing season and are responsible for reductions in yield and quality of agricultural... More ≫

Description

Frost risk is an important fact of life for agriculture. Freezing temperatures restrict the length of the growing season and are responsible for reductions in yield and quality of agricultural crops. Sensitive crops can suffer serious damage at temperatures above freezing as well. In either case, the minimum temperature is critical. Of all the weather factors affecting agriculture, minimum temperature is among the most variable from place to place. Adjacent fields and garden sites can have very different frost-free periods, and are therefore suited to different uses. Risk can be reduced by careful management of the land and effective reaction to forecasts. Late spring and early fall frosts usually involve minimum temperatures just slightly below freezing, It is in these situations that preventive measures can be most effective. By successfully averting a single freezing situation, the growing season may be extended by weeks.

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