article_lead

page_divider_152483576

social_share

experiencefragment

Introduction Corn has a fibrous root system. Restrictions below ground affect early growth of nodal roots and lead to stunting of corn seedlings. Root restrictions can have a lasting effect on the ability of plants to reach full yield potential. Have patience as the spring season warms up and allows soils to become fit for planting. When planting operations begin, proper planter adjustment can help prevent sidewall compaction.   Causes of Sidewall Compaction Sidewall compaction refers to the soil compaction and soil smearing in and around the seed furrow. It can occur when planting operations take place on wet soils.1 Seed furrow openers actually smear the soil on the sides of the seed furrow. Soil does not collapse around the seed, and side walls are effectively sealed, creating a barrier to seedling root growth. When the seed slot is properly closed, the sidewalls should be fractured around the seed, providing good seed-to-soil contact. Press wheels set with too much down-pressure to close the seed slot tend to over-pack the soil. If the seed placement is too shallow relative to the press wheel positioning, this packing occurs below the seed, causing difficulty for downward root penetration. Identifying Fit Soil Conditions Soils are generally considered fit for field operations when soil from a 3- to 4-inch depth can be formed into a ball that fractures easily when dropped or will not form a ball at all. Another technique is to press soil between your thumb and fingers to form a soil ribbon (Figure 1). Fit soil will crumble and will not form a ribbon of any significant length.2

page_divider_1099223814

page_feedback

responsivegrid

root

Experience Frag Template - COPY DO NOT DELETE

With some of the most-trusted names in agriculture, find solutions with proven performance from our portfolio of seed brands.

Brands

Explore our portfolio of seed by crop type and find the right fit for your farm operation to maximize your crop yield potential.

Seed

Find the trait that will help protect your crops and maximize your yield potential.

VT Double PRO® RIB Complete® Corn Blend

Bollgard® 3 ThryvOn® Cotton With XtendFlex® Technology

Traits

Innovation to help farmers protect their harvests.


Crop Protection

Explore our comprehensive suite of tools to help you succeed during any part of the season from planning to harvest.


Tools

Discover new revenue streams, aids in improving your farm operation, guides for building a more sustainable business, and more with our range of Bayer Crop Science programs.

Programs

Stay up-to-date with articles from our agronomy resource library, research trials, and more.

Understanding Tar Spot: A Comprehensive Guide

Experience Frag Template - COPY DO NOT DELETE

Seed Brands & Traits

Crop Protection

Tools

Bayer

Disclaimer