The importance of quick emergence

Early season weed growth takes advantage of valuable moisture and nutrients both before and after the crop has been planted.  It is very important for crop seeds to germinate and initiate strong root development before weed seeds in the seed bank can do the same.  When weeds are denied access to resources, their growth is limited and in turn limits their impact on early season crop performance.  Quick emerging crop plants also provide competition by shading weed seedlings; kochia is a problematic weed that is especially vulnerable to shading. 

Plants that emerge and establish quicker are able to withstand potential early season insect pressure. This is especially the case in canola regarding flea beetle damage. A canola plant that is in a more robust stage in its growth cycle is able to absorb damage from feeding greater than a plant that is in a very early growth stage. 

Crops such as canola and wheat are vulnerable to damage from excessive heat in the summer months.  Damage in both plants primarily occurs when the crop is in the flowering stage; it is therefore desirable for the crop to be advanced past its vulnerable stage before the typical time of the year when periods of extreme heat occur.

While the risk of an early frost may be rare, it is important to reduce any potential risk by ensuring that the crop completes its life cycle as soon as possible. A crop that germinates, emerges and matures quickly does just that.

Producing a quick-emerging crop requires providing the seed early access to both nutrients and moisture.  When the seed has the ingredients required for early success, the subsequent plant is able to achieve its potential at the end of the year.