HOW WILL KNOWING THE UNIFORMITY OF SEED SIZE HELP ME ACHIEVE A “GOOD STAND”?
A seed sample that is uniform in size would be similar to approximately 90% of the beans falling into two adjacent levels of the sizer. Figure 3 below is an example of a sample that is not uniform. Planting such a sample would result in irregular planting patterns and bunching of plants even though the correct plant population is achieved. The bunching of plants creates a “weed effect” causing weak and spindly stalks, barren stalks and increased lodging. The skips produce nothing, reducing overall yield, as does the bunching. However, if your seed sample showed the uniformity of seed size your planting pattern would be more uniform resulting in well-spaced vigorous plants – “a good stand”.
