The effect of seedling disturbance on the growth habit and yield of swedes

Abstract

SUMMARYThe effect of seedling disturbance on the yield and growth habit of swedes was studied in ten experiments during the period 1960–3. Seedling disturbance consisted of the removal of soil from around the seedlings during singling, thus exposing the hypocotyl and leaving the seedlings prostrate.Plant numbers were reduced slightly by seedling disturbance in half the experiments but not sufficiently to be a source of yield loss at the populations attained.Seedling disturbance greatly increased the incidence of prostrate growth in swede varieties of intermediate shape, such as Victory. Two globe-shaped varieties, Bangholm and Pentland Harvester, grew erect irrespective of singling technique.Disturbance of seedlings reduced yield when it increased the number of prostrategrowing plants. The yield depression ranged from 0·2 to 5·2 cwt D.M./acre.