Definition of "lodging" ??

Clefus · Jan 6, 2009

In reading a lot of agronomy publications, I come across the term "lodging" and cannot get the true meaning of the term when using it refering to crops.....

sounds maybe a little dumb...but lets hear it.....

Dave

Wesley Stephens · Jan 6, 2009

Lodging is basically plants falling over. It's more of a problem with corn.

Clefus · Jan 6, 2009

Thanks
What would the main cause be..??.I read differences in row spacing was to prevent it...( I was concerned on planting oats as a cover for some new hay mix I will try...it recommended a more open spacing on rows so I willl have to block holes on the drill) ..just trying to see was causes it to avoid it.....Ive been expanding and need to watch what I do more closely to avoid costly mistakes...
Dave

paul · Jan 7, 2009

In oats, planting too thick makes them crowd each other, weak stems, and it will lodge. Or, apply a lot of chicken manure or other very heavy fertilizer, and it will grow rapidly and make a weak stem - and lodge.

My oats and my corn lodged some last year - we had 40-60 mph winds 3 times in summer - once with hail, and the wind lodged it.

Some oats grows taller & has weaker stems, so it is more likely to lodge. Same with corn.

For oats, plant 3 bu per acre for an oats crop. For a cover crop, I plant 1 to 2 bu per acre. I just adjust the drill cups down to 2 bu (4 pecks on my drill). I don't bother with taping off cups, shouldn't matter. Just adjust the drill seeding rate.

--->Paul

Anonymous-0 · Jan 7, 2009

If you are concerned about lodging with oats, consider seeding barley for a cover crop, rather than blocking off drill openings. We typically seed 3 bpa oats, but only half that with barley. Thinner stand, lets more light hit the ground and grow the hay. Barley is 92 the feed value of corn, and a good substitute- better than oats. Too much Nitrogen promotes excessive growth (height) and without adequate P and K, contributes to lodging. Heads are too heavy for the stalk to hold up.

Clefus · Jan 7, 2009

My intent was to seed a birdsfoot trefoil/reed canarygrass mix with an oats cover....and take the oats off as hay since I dont have a combine.....
I aquired a field with poor soil and was going to try this mix rather than alfalfa.....

I was researching an agronomy fact sheet for trefoil and it said "if companion crop is used it should be seeded in 18" row spacing and be removed early before competition for light becomes too great and companion crop begins to lodge."

So thats where I'm at ....
Thanks for the comments..
Dave

Fordfarmer · Jan 8, 2009

I've planted oats for grain along with trefoil, and it worked o.k.- 3 1/2 bu./acre, 6" spacing. I doubt that canary grass will let much trefoil survive, though. It will choke just about anything, and, in my opinion, makes better bedding than feed.

Definition of "lodging" ??

Clefus

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Wesley Stephens

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Clefus

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paul

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Anonymous-0

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Clefus

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Fordfarmer

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