The resulting stand may emerge unevenly. Prolonged cool soil temperatures combined with wet soils may favor the development of soil pathogens that cause seed rot. In reduced-till systems under heavy crop residues, soil temperatures will be cooler at the seed depth. Germination will be slower and seedling establishment later. Cloddy soils and other tillage related problems caused by working soils that are too wet, result in poor soil to seed contact.
Some seeds absorb enough moisture to germinate, while other seeds are too dry.
Soil may form a crust as it dries following a heavy rain. The crust may impede seedling emergence. Keep in mind that under recent cool soil conditions, seedling vigor will be weakened if the seeds have been in the ground without germination for more than 21 days. This means that soil crusting could prevent these seedlings from penetrating the soil. Seedlings effected by crusting will have a twisted, bent appearance.