Population Responses of DEKALB® Conventional Corn Seed - 2025

January 13, 2026

TRIAL OBJECTIVE

  • Seeding rate is one of the most important decisions made when planting corn, regardless of trait technology.
  • This decision can only be made prior to or during planting, and for this reason, the Bayer Learning Center at Scott, Mississippi (SLC) evaluates seeding rates each growing season. For 2025, the SLC staff conducted seeding rate studies using conventional corn products (no trait technology).
  • There were several primary questions to address in this study, including:
    • If I plant more seed, do I make higher yields?
    • If I plant more seed, does the crop suffer in standability? i.e. Does lodging occur?
    • Does the increase in seeding rate provide an economic return on the investment?

RESEARCH SITE DETAILS

Field characteristics and background for 2025 corn planting population responses for Conventional DEKALB Seed


Table 1. Five conventional DEKALB® brand corn products evaluated at different seeding rates.

Table showing five DEKALB Corn Seed products with different relative maturities for the Research Report
  • Three seeding rates (seeds/acre) were tested in this demonstration:
    • 32,000
    • 36,000
    • 40,000
  • This demonstration was designed as a non-replicated strip plot.
  • Plots were 12 rows wide and roughly 0.5 acres per plot.
  • All field work, tillage, and herbicides were applied per local standards.
  • Yield data were collected using commercial harvest equipment and yields were corrected to 15.5% moisture content.
  • Potential return on investment (ROI) calculations were calculated with the following parameters:
    • Grain price of $4.02/bushel, which was the price on 09/01/2025.
    • Seed cost was $330.00/80,000 seed bag or $4.13/1,000 seeds planted.

UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS

Average Corn Yield for DEKALB Corn Products with different seeding rates - South 2025
Figure 1. Yield response of five conventional DEKALB® brand corn products to different seeding rates at the Bayer Learning Center in Scott, MS.

  • Lodging was not observed at any seeding rate in this trial.
  • Data indicate considerable ear flex for many of the DEKALB® conventional corn products tested in this trial.
  • Three of the five products tested had a net return higher than $10.00/acre for the 36,000 seeds/acre seeding rate compared to the 32,000 seeds/acre seeding rate.
  • This has been observed in previous years with DEKALB® products responding positively to seeding rates in the 32,000-36,000 seeds/acre range. Each product has differences and growers should evaluate them carefully.

KEY LEARNINGS

  • Growers should study and understand the ideal seeding rates for new corn products in their operation. Planting at the ideal seeding rate for growing conditions can help in achieving the best outcome for corn yield and return on investment.
  • Many newer DEKALB® corn products have responded positively at the Bayer Learning Center at Scott to seeding rates in the mid 30,000 seeds/acre range.
  • Please contact your local DEKALB® brand representative for more information on product performance in your region.

1216_699775