Germination must be fast with uniform emergence for the crop to get ahead of the weeds. Seed of Polish and Argentine types germinate readily when moisture and temperature conditions are suitable. Seed rate and spacing of rows varies in different areas. Seed may be sown with a grass-seed attachment, or broadcast and then harrowed or disced lightly. Depth of sowing should be 2.5 cm or less, but seedlings will emerge from 5 cm or more if soil does not crust on top.
Seedlings develop slowly and are easily destroyed by drifting soil.
Spreading manure where drifting might start helps trap drifting soil. Harvesting Because fruit ripens evenly and shatter easily, to avoid shattering, it is recommended to harvest crop when yellow and windrow to ripen until seed inside is ust changing from yellow to brown. Dry, mature seed may be harvested directly with combine. To combine standing crop, it is best to leave the crop until seeds are fully ripe, and with reel speed reduced to two-thirds normal speed for cereals, harvest crop during cloudy weather when plants are moist, thus reducing shattering. In some areas crop is cut by hand and then flailed with sticks after drying in sun for a few days.