Planting date and seeding rate impacted hybrid winter rye grain yield across US regions

Abstract

Hybrid winter rye (Secale cereale L.) was first introduced in the United States in 2014. Agronomic management recommendations, like optimum seeding date and rate, for this productive form of winter rye are lacking. Farmers need basic information to successfully integrate hybrid winter rye into their cropping systems to supply existing markets. The objective of this experiment was to determine the influence of planting date and seeding rate on winter hybrid rye grain yield in four states (Kentucky, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). The experiment was conducted during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 growing season as a split-plot randomized complete block with a whole plot factor of planting date (ranging from September to November) and sub-plot factor of seeding rate (ranging from 0.4 to 1.2 million seeds acre⁻¹). Across planting dates and seeding rates, grain yield was generally high (median values ≥90 bu acre⁻¹), except for the Crookston, MN, location in 2022 where dry conditions resulted in poor germination and low plant population, and Lexington, KY, in 2021 when rye was planted on November 29 and freezing temperatures prohibited plant establishment. In general, maximum grain yield occurred when rye was planted within the 2-week period following the Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say)-free date at seeding rates ≥0.8 million seeds acre⁻¹. Hybrid winter rye grain production was successful in most environments, but planting date and seeding rate influenced yield. Because hybrid rye is relatively new, especially to growers within the United States, continued work on agronomic recommendations to maximize grain yield is needed.