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Agronomy Profile: Corn Planting Tips
Overview
Planting is arguably the most important time in corn production. Your crop has its maximum yield potential on the day it’s planted. Crop success or failure depends on your ability to control planting factors. Whether it is your first season or your 51st, it’s worthwhile to revisit some planting fundamentals.
Tips
- Consider seed sizes and shapes: Seed size and shape do not influence the plant’s genetic yield potential. However, rounded corn seeds are sometimes more susceptible to mechanical damage than flat ones. Variability in seed sizes can also lead to multiple drops or skips.
- Plant at the proper speed: Planting at speeds that are too high often causes multiple drops and skips, as well as variability in depth as the planter bounces across uneven field topography. Optimum planting speed depends on equipment, but generally, 5.5 mph is manageable.
- Determine appropriate depth: Under average conditions, 2 inches is the ideal planting depth. In cooler soil temperatures, it might be necessary to reduce the depth to 1.5 inches, but never shallower. If soil temperature is adequate later in the planting season, but moisture is lacking in the 2-inch zone, it is appropriate to seed deeper. Shallow seeding can lead to floppy corn syndrome. Planting too deep can cause delayed emergence and an uneven stand.
- Plant at suitable soil temperatures: Emergence could take more than three weeks when soil temperatures are 50° F to 55° F, but fewer than seven days when temperatures exceed 70° F. Cool, wet soils are also welcoming environments for pathogens that contribute to seedling blights.
Your crop has its highest yield potential on the day it’s planted. Follow planting best practices to give your crop the best chance of success.