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Crambe Seedbed Preparation and Planting
A critical phase of successful crambe production is stand establishment. A vigorous stand that emerges early will take advantage of cooler temperatures and available soil moisture and be more competitive with weeds. The seedbed for crambe should be firm in order to place seed at a uniform and shallow depth. High-quality (e.g. certified) seed should be sown 3/4-inch deep and no deeper than 1.5 inches. The crop should be seeded in narrow row widths (6 to 10 inches). Small grain seeding equipment, including double disc opener press drills and air seeders, can be used.
Crambe should be sown in late April to early May when soil conditions are suitable for planting. The seedling crop can tolerate temperatures in the low 20's for several hours. If the crop is injured by frost, allow sufficient time (7 to 10 days) to determine if damage warrants destruction of the crop. A significant decrease in seed yield and oil content can be expected if seeding is delayed until late May or June.
A seeding rate of 15 to 20 pounds of pure live seed per acre is recommended. At 60,000 to 80,000 seeds per pound, this seeding rate should provide a targeted stand of 1 million plants per acre or 23 plants per square foot. Seeding rates as low as 8 pounds live seed per acre have resulted in low plant densities (10 to 12 plants per square foot) but good yields due to increased plant branching and an extended flowering period. However, using the recommended seeding rate will result in crambe plants being more competitive with weeds and maturing more uniformly. The recommended seeding rate also is suggested if soil crusting is anticipated. Seeding rates greater than 20 pounds per acre will result in greater seed costs, increased lodging, and probably no improved yield compared to the recommended seeding rates.
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