For mustard, early seeding is recommended and will be beneficial to obtaining full yield potential. Early planting will increase the likelihood of utilizing early spring moisture and will allow the crop to mature before the hottest part of the year.
Saskatchewan research indicates that mustard will benefit from yield increases with earlier seeding despite having reduced stand establishment. For all mustard types, earlier seeding resulted in higher seed yields. In a 2006-08 study in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, yields of yellow mustard were found to increase on average by 1.4 to 2.2 bu/acre when the crop was seeded in early to mid-May versus late May to early June. Similar results were seen for brown and oriental mustard, with a 2.1 to 2.8 bu/acre yield increase on average when the crop was seeded early to mid-May versus mid-May to early June.
< Previous: Seeding: Seeding rate
> Next: Pest Control: Weed and herbicide options: Introduction
