click to enlarge |
A hard crust may form when a beating rain falls on tilled soils. Some soils, such as those high in silt, are more prone to crusting than others. Because emergence is more difficult, seedlings may be completely depleted of carbohydrate reserves before emergence. In some instances, the hypocotyl arch may break trying to emerge through the crust or one or both cotyledons may be torn from the seedling. Crusting may cause the stems to thicken due to expansion of the hypocotyl. Bending and twisting of seedlings are also symptoms of crusting damage. Solutions include rotary hoeing and reduced or no-tillage of soils prone to crusting. Avoid planting too deep on soils that tend to crust. |