Punch Planting to Establish Lettuce and Carrots Under Adverse Conditions1

Abstract

AbstractIt was observed in both the greenhouse and field that lettuce and carrots may be established by planting single seeds in holes punched through the soil crust. When the holes are not back‐filled, seeds planted as deep as 60 mm will produce healthy plants in a few days. Preliminary experiments indicate that in some climatic regions a practical field management system could be developed which will eliminate emergence problems arising from soil crusting and premature drying of shallow seedbeds. The open hole punch method may also prove useful in controlling the temperature and salinity adjacent to the seed and in reducing initial tillage and irrigation requirements.