Planting Considerations

What land preparation do I need to do before getting ready to plant carinata?

Carinata can be planted into conventionally or minimally tilled soil, or it may be no-till planted in standing stubble. Subsoiling or tilling below the typical plow depth will break up a hardpan allowing better water infiltration and better root access to a deeper soil profile for water and nutrients. If carinata is no-till planted into sod or other row crop fields, the previous crop residue should be reduced to minimum stubble height to allow for good seed-to-soil contact.

A fine and firm seedbed allows for good seed-to-soil contact, germination, and uniform emergence. If deep tillage is used (turning plow or chisel plow), the area may need to be firmed with a roller, allowed sufficient time for a rain, or irrigated with enough water to create a firm seedbed.

It is very important to start the season with a clean field. Because wild radish and wild mustard are the most problematic weeds in carinata, it is preferable to plant this crop in fields free of these weeds. Additionally, preplant burndown applications with postemergence herbicides with no residual activity such as carfentrazone, glufosinate, glyphosate, or paraquat are important especially in no-till or reduced-tillage fields. These herbicides can be applied up to 7 days before planting. A preplant soil incorporated (PPI) application of a residual herbicide such as trifluralin or ethalfluralin will reduce weed pressure during the first 4 to 6 weeks of the growing season giving time for carinata to get established and grow taller than the weeds.

What aspects of field history do I need to carefully consider before getting ready to plant carinata?

Adding carinata as a cover crop into current crop rotations will provide growers with additional income as well as soil health benefits. Carinata was successfully double cropped with cotton, peanut, soybean, grain sorghum or late corn. Planning ahead will avoid pitfalls associated with diseases, weed pressures and residual herbicides. More information.

What soil characteristics are best for carinata?

Carinata grows best on well-drained soils with pH between 5.5 and 6.5. More information.

Equipment

What general infrastructure do I need to have before considering carinata production?

Nuseed Carinata contract production is flexible enough to work using different equipment infrastructure on your farm. This includes whether or not you have storage, irrigation, access to poultry litter, sandy or clay soils, planters or drills, no-till or strip till.

Do I need specialized equipment to plant carinata?

No. Carinata may be planted as a row crop or broadcast using any equipment that can handle small seeds including grain drills, air- or vacuum planters.

Planting dates

When is the best time to plant carinata?

Carinata should be planted about 3–4 weeks before the first frost. In the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama, South Georgia and South Texas it is recommended that carinata be planted between early- to mid-November. In the Carolinas, where a frost occurs earlier, planting should occur late September to early October.

How early can I plant carinata?

Carinata should be planted about 3–4 weeks before the first frost. In the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama, South Georgia and South Texas, carinata can be planted as early as late October to early November. Earlier plantings than recommended may increase risk of freeze damage, reduced stand density, and reduced yield.

How late can I plant carinata?

In the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama, South Georgia, and South Texas, carinata can be planted as late as late November to early December. Later plantings than recommended may increase the risk of freeze damage, reduced stand density, and reduced yield. Late plantings may result in increased pest damage and late harvest.

Tillage

Can I no-till carinata?

Carinata may be no-till planted in standing stubble. When carinata is no-till planted into sod or other row crop fields, the previous crop residue should be reduced to minimum stubble height to allow for good seed-to-soil contact.

Can I broadcast carinata?

Carinata may be broadcasted when proper placement with a drill or planter is not possible. It should be followed by a roller or cultipacker to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. A higher seed rate is recommended to account for possible lower seed/soil contact compared to row planting depending on field conditions and equipment.

Row Seeding & Spacing

What is the recommended seeding rate?

Carinata should be planted at 5 lb/ac with a target end of season plant density of 6 to 10 plants per square foot. A lower seeding rate (4 lb/acre) is suggested if air or vacuum planters are used. Higher plant densities may hasten maturity and reduce yield. If seedbed conditions are less than optimum, higher seeding rates should be considered.

What is the recommended row spacing?

Row spacings of 7 to 14 inches will maximize yield. Row spacing wider than 14 inches lowers the crop's ability to compete with weeds and results in significant yield reductions. Cotton and peanut producers have also had success planting carinata with twin-row vacuum planters.

How deep should seed be planted?

Carinata should be planted not more than 0.5 inches deep because of its small seed size. Some seed visible on the soil surface is normal and an indication that the planting depth is not too deep. Planting should be shallower in heavy soils and at 0.5 inches for sandy soils.

How do I plant into a high residue field?

Row cleaners may be necessary for fields with high residue, especially after corn which may be too bulky and heavy for grain drill coulters to cut through consistently. If planting into fields with high residue, a higher seeding rate may be necessary, as high as 6 lb per acre.

Can I save carinata seed to plant next year?

No. All Nuseed Carinata seed sold is hybrid and grown under contract. Saving seeds would be breach of contract and result in disappointing agronomic performance stemming from a loss of hybrid vigor as the resulting progeny tend to revert to the parents that were used to make the cross. Hybrid vigor lasts only one generation and results only when two parental lines are crossed.

Can carinata be grown on marginal lands?

Carinata requires adequate management and inputs.

Additional Resources

Carinata Production Manual
Journal Articles, Factsheets, & Helpful Websites
Nuseed Carinata Contract Production
Contact the SPARC Team