Seed Production «

Oregon State University

Here’s a good story in the Capital Press on the role of Alkali bees in pollinating alfalfa seed fields in the Pacific Northwest (follow link below):

A different kind of bee

I’ve been fascinated with these bees for many years now and I cover them in my Seed Production course at OSU. Unlike the honey bee, alkali bees are native to the Pacific Northwest. This bee nests in the ground (bee beds) and as a result is not very portable. Nevertheless, alkali bees are efficient in tripping alfalfa flowers and contribute to good seed yields through their impact on pollination of the crop.

Near the bee beds in pollination season, one can observe restrictive speed limits on rural roads to protect this valuable pollinator.

Speed limits on rural roads where alkali bees are commonly employed in alfalfa seed production (TG Chastain photo)

Our research and extension team has published a Pacific Northwest Extension bulletin on camelina stand establishment. The work was done across multiple environments in the Pacific Northwest ranging from arid eastern Washington to the wet Willamette Valley. The effects of planting date and method were examined in relationship to establishment of camelina stands and seed yield.

The article can be accessed at the link below:

Schillinger, W.F., D.J. Wysocki, T.G. Chastain, S.O. Guy, and R.S. Karow. 2014. Camelina: effects of planting date and method on stand establishment and seed yield. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication, PNW 661.

Here’s a new article from our seed production research and extension team on trinexapac-ethyl plant growth regulator (PGR) and field burning effects on the expression of yield components in strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp. rubra) seed crops. The field trials were conducted in the Willamette Valley over a 4-year period at Hyslop Farm.

This article will appear in the next issue of Agronomy Journal and is a part of our series on PGR tools for use in grass and legume seed production. The product is marketed as Palisade, Moddus, and several generic products for lodging control in grass seed crops and legume seed crops.

Strong creeping red fescue in flower (T.G. Chastain photo)

Key findings of the article:

Fall applications of the PGR had no effect on seed yield components.
Culm length was reduced and lodging was lessened by spring applications of PGR in strong creeping red fescue.
Spring applications of PGR increased the number of florets produced.
A combination of burning and spring PGR applications increased seed number and seed weight, thus contributing to higher seed yields in strong creeping red fescue.

The article can be found at the link below:

Zapiola, M.L., T.G. Chastain, C.J. Garbacik, and W.C. Young III. 2014. Trinexapac-ethyl and burning effects on seed yield components in strong creeping red fescue. Agron J. 106:1371-1378.

The 8th IHSG Conference will be held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China from 21 to 24 June 2015. The conference will be followed by a post-conference tour to the Gansu Hexi Corridor.

Here’s the schedule for the conference and post-conference tour:

Conference

21 June (Sunday) – Conference Registration at Lanzhou University

22-24 June (Monday-Wednesday) – Conference papers and posters, visit research site

Post-Conference Tour

25-29 June (Thursday-Monday) Depart Lanzhou by train to Hexi Corridor, visit seed fields, processing plants and the famous Dunghuang Grottoes (Mogao Caves)

30 June (Tuesday) – Delegates depart from Dunghuang Airport to Beijing and other cities

More details will follow at the IHSG site (link below) including the announcement of the conference theme and session topics as well as a call for abstracts.

International Herbage Seed Group

2013 IHSG Workshop New Zealand (TG Chastain photo)

OSU is presenting two seed production field day offerings on the same day where the public can visit research farms and learn more about a variety of seed crops. The field days provide a convenient choice for those located in either the western or eastern parts of the state.

May 28 – Hyslop Farm Field Day – Plant growth regulators and irrigation management in red clover seed crops, establishment and tillage systems in annual ryegrass, nitrogen effects on seed yield in yellow mustard, and more. Starts at 8 AM and ends with lunch provided by the OSU Crops Club.

Located at Hyslop Crop Science Field Research Laboratory just off Highway 20 between Corvallis and Albany at 3455 NE Granger Corvallis, OR 97330. Phone (541) 737-6067. Hyslop Farm location

May 28 – Grass Seed Field Day – Various topics focused on grass seed production practices and pests including ergot, powdery mildew and stripe rust control, ammonia volatilization, and more. Starts at 8:30 AM and ends at noon.

Located at OSU’s Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center, 2121 S. First Street, Hermiston, OR 97838. Phone (541) 567-6337.

Thomas G. Chastain

Research conducted at Hyslop Farm has shown that spring irrigation in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass can increase seed yield. The soil at Hyslop Farm is a medium textured soil (Woodburn silt loam) that is typical of many places in the valley where tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seed crops are grown. This soil is deep and has good water holding capacity.

Tall fescue seed yield responses to spring irrigation varied among the cultivars tested. Increased number of seed in tall fescue was most responsible for the seed yield improvement observed with spring irrigation. Strategic timing of spring irrigation to support seed filling was more important for increasing seed yield than season-long irrigation. Spring irrigation increased seed yield up to 39%. First years stands of stands of tall fescue averaged 28% increase in seed yield with spring irrigation while second year stands averaged 11% increased yield. Continue reading →

Seed Production

Alkali bees in alfalfa seed production

Camelina stand establishment and seed yield extension publication is now available

PGR and burning effects on expression of seed yield components in strong creeping red fescue

International Herbage Seed Group Confererence Lanzhou, China

Seed Production Field Days at OSU

Spring irrigation in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seed crops

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