Cereal Seeding Depth

Cereal should be seeded into moist soil as shallowly as possible that will sustain germination, and normally not more than 5 cm {2 in.) deep. Spring cereals should not be seeded deeper than 7.6 cm (3 in.) when surface soils are dry. If sufficient moisture is not available at the 7.6 cm (3 in.) depth, then it may be best to seed to a normal depth and wait for rain. This is particularly true for semi-dwarf varieties of wheat and barley varieties, which require shallow seeding. Deep seeding retards germination, reduces emergence and may result in reduced seedling vigor with increased disease levels. Barley is more sensitive to deep seeding than wheat or oats. Winter cereals should not be seeded deeper than 2.5 cm (1 in.) under any circumstance as seeding deeper by only 1.3 cm (0.5 in.) can seriously impact winter hardiness, stand density and consequently yield. Seeding at depths less than 2 cm may place the seed in soil that is too dry to allow for rapid germination and sustained seedling growth. A recent study showed that seeding barley at 5, 8 and 10 centimetres depth decreased emergence by 20 per cent and decreased grain yield by 10 per cent for each increase in seeding depth. The severity of common root rot increased by 40 per cent.

Seeding by aircraft onto very wet or snow-covered fields is not recommended because it is seldom possible to cover the seed adequately, or soon enough by harrowing or disking, to avoid losses. Exposed seed is damaged by weather and is eaten by birds.

Alberta Agriculture & Forestry, Ag-Info Centre 310-3276

For more information about the content of this document, contact Harry Brook.
This document is maintained by Brenda McLellan.
This information published to the web on July 17, 2002.
Last Reviewed/Revised on August 17, 2017.