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Impact of Corn Planting Depth on Day of Emergence, Ear Size, and Yield Potential

February 15, 2023

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Impact of Corn Planting Depth on Day of Emergence, Ear Size, and Yield Potential - 2022

TRIAL OBJECTIVE

  • The primary objective of this study was to identify the impact of corn planting depth on corn growth.
  • Growers can only establish optimal planting depth at planting, primarily via proper decision making, planter maintenance, and planter adjustment.
  • Planting depth can impact seedling emergence, establishment, rooting mass, and rooting volume.
  • Deeper depths can aid in reducing bird predation of emerging corn seedlings.

RESEARCH SITE DETAILS

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  • All inputs (herbicides, fungicides, and insect control) were per local standards.
    • 275 lb nitrogen (N) applied/acre
  • Single replicate strip plots planted at two seeding depths.
    • 1.25 inches
    • 2.5 inches
  • Two trial locations (different biologically and ecologically)
    • Heaven South (planted 3/29/22)
      • Sandy soil
      • Basically, a non-crusting soil type
      • 6-row plots (0.4 acre)
    • Field C2 (planted 3/28/22)
      • Clay loam
      • Crusts badly
      • 6-row plots (.15 acre)
  • Corn products planted

Table 1. Products planted at Heaven South and Field C2 Locations.

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  • For grain yield, all plots were harvested using commercial machinery.
  • For ear size, sample ears were hand harvested, shelled, and corrected for moisture content.
  • Grain weights adjusted to 15.5% moisture content.
  • Emergence Data
    • Plots were sampled for emergence at mid-morning each day (Figures 1, 3, and 4).
    • Two, 15-feet samples per plot tagged as emerged.
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Figure 1. Plants tagged for emergence date (Scott, Mississippi, 2022).


View of planting depth study (Scott, Mississippi, 2022).
Figure 2. View of planting depth study (Scott, Mississippi, 2022).


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Figure 3. Tagged plants based on emergence (Scott, Mississippi, 2022).


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Figure 4. Tagged plants based on emergence (Scott, Mississippi, 2022).


  • Plot information
    • Heaven South
      • Minimal bird predation.
      • Emergence occurred under near normal weather conditions.
      • Emergence was staggered over nine days and was more so with the 2.5-inch depth.
      • Emergence began on 4/6/22 and continued through 4/15/22.
        • Seedling establishment on 4/20 was 90.5% for seeds planted at a depth of 2.5 inches and 92.1% for seeds planted at a depth of 1.25 inches (Figure 5).
      • No clear trend in ear size was observed based on planting depth (Figure 6).
      • Yields (Figure 7)
        • Similar for the two planting depths.
          • The 1.25 depth seeds averaged 224 bu/acre.
          • The 2.5 depth seeds averaged 225 bu/acre.


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Figure 5. Average percent emergence versus seeding rate at seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches and planted on 3/29/22, Heaven South field, Scott, MS.


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Figure 6. Average ear weight of three DEKALB® brand corn products based on seeding depth, sampling date, and planted on 3/29/22, Heaven South Field, Scott, MS.


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Figure 7. Yield of three DEKALB® brand corn products by planting depth. The Heaven South Field in Scott, MS was planted on 3/29/22 and harvested on 9/10/22.


  • Field C2
    • Heavily influenced by bird predation.
    • Soil crusting prevented emergence until crusting was reduced by rainfall which enabled emergence to begin quickly.
    • Emergence began on 4/6/22, was nearly complete by 4/8/22, and determined to be complete on 4/12/22 (15 days after planting).
      • Seedling establishment on 4/12 was 88.2% for seeds planted at a depth of 2.5 inches and 64.6% for seeds planted at a depth of 1.25 inches (Figure 8).
      • The 1.25-inch planting depth emergence and stand establishment was heavily reduced by bird predation.
      • The 1.25-inch depth seed did emerge quicker and was mostly complete within 3 days.
      • The 2.5-inch depth seed had staggered emergence over the 5-day period.
    • No clear trend in ear size was observed based on planting depth (Figure 9).
    • Yields (Figure 10)
      • The 1.25 depth seeds averaged 108 bu/acre.
      • The deeper planted seeds averaged 216 bu/acre.
        • Higher because of the increased harvest population, less bird predation, and increased rooting mass and volume.
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Figure 8. Average percent emergence versus seeding rate at seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches and planted on 3/28/22, C2 field, Scott, MS.


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Figure 9. Average ear weight of three DEKALB® brand corn products based on seeding depth, sampling date, and planted on 3/28/22, C2 Field, Scott, MS.


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Figure 10. Yield of three DEKALB® brand corn products by planting depth. The C2 Field in Scott, MS was planted on 3/28/22 and harvested on 9/14/22.


KEY LEARNINGS

  • These data demonstrate the importance of proper planning and planting depth in corn production.
  • Deeper planting depth can help:
    • Reduce bird predation
    • Provide for greater rooting mass and rooting volume
    • Improve standability and the uptake of fertility and water
  • Proper planning is essential in corn planting process and can only be changed at that time
  • As much as 100% yield improvement was observed in these trials with deeper planting at the C2 field because of reduced bird predation.

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