Sugarbeet Research Trials 2017
April and May are busy months for sugarbeet research trials. While preparing sugarbeet seed with new seed treatments, Germains team in Fargo is busy identifying trial locations and prepping randomizations. Trial plantings take a substantial amount of work and preparation to ensure that the data received after harvest is accurate.
Preparing Sugarbeet Trial Fields | North Dakota, USA
Sugarbeet Research Trials | Ensuring Even Crop Emergence
The staff at Germains Seed Technology strives to find field locations for our trials that will produce the best results. Flat Trial sites with uniform soil throughout are required to reduce variability. Crop residue must be uniform and worked into the soil to `ensure even crop emergence.’ Previous tillage also needs to be uniform throughout the site with no tractor tracks causing compaction.
After all of these factors are considered planting can begin. Proper seed depth, soil moisture, and wind speed are monitored to ensure precision planting. Variability within a trial can skew the data gathered making it of no value to our research team and the grower. Variability in trial data will also extend the development time and cost for new products. Attention to every detail throughout the trial planning and execution is required.
Gemains Crew Executing Trial Plan
Field trials determine whether or not seed treatments provide any benefits for the crop, so great care is taken to make sure the data is accurate. Unfavorable outcomes are used as a baseline for improving Planting trials occur after much work is done in planning and preparation to ensure our trials demonstrate the effectiveness of Germains seed treatments on any particular variety of sugarbeet.