Evaluations of Corn Planting Density and Planting Depth Across Seven DEKALB® Brand Products

January 29, 2023

Click on a tab below to see data collected each year for this study


TRIAL OBJECTIVE

  • Product selection, seeding rate, and planting depth are important factors to help maximize corn yield potential. These factors can only be altered before or during planting; therefore, understanding their potential impact is central for the start of a new growing season.
  • This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of product selection, seeding rate, and planting depth on corn yield potential.

RESEARCH SITE DETAILS

Site Details table

  • Trial was planted on beds in 38-inch rows as a single replicate with each plot measuring 0.5 acres each.
  • Nitrogen was surface applied at 275 lbs/acre as 28-0-0-5.
  • DEKALB® corn products included (Table 1):

Table 1. DEKALB® corn products planted.

Corn Products planted
  • Planting Depths
    • 1.25 inches - shallow
    • 2.5 inches - typical depth for southern corn
  • Planting Rates (seeds/acre)
    • 27,000
    • 33,000
    • 39,000
  • Plots were harvested with commercial machinery and yields were corrected to 15.5% moisture content for reporting.
  • All agronomic factors, weed, and insect control were per local standards.

UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS

  • This study reinforces previous Learning Center work at Scott, MS with the following points:
    • The average yield response to deeper planting was higher when compared to shallower planting. In 2022, plots planted at the 2.5-inch depth gained an average of 24.15 bu/acre or $154.00/acre ($6.36/bu x 24.15 bu/acre) across seeding rates and DEKALB® products (Figure 1).
    • It is possible that reductions in bird predation occurred with deeper planting; however, they were not directly measured.
    • Responses to seeding rate, while product specific, resembled previous Learning Center observations in that yields generally increased as seeding rates increased (Figures 2 and 3).
    • There was a trend for higher yields when seeds were planted at a depth of 2.5 inches deep (Figure 3).

Figure 1. Average yield of seven DEKALB® brand corn products planted at seeding rates of 27,000, 33,000, and 39,000 seeds/acre at a depth of 1.25 inches was 206.20 bu/acre and at 2.5 inches deep was 230.35 bu/acre.  Bayer Learning Center at Scott, MS in 2022.
Figure 1. Average yield of seven DEKALB® brand corn products planted at seeding rates of 27,000, 33,000, and 39,000 seeds/acre at a depth of 1.25 inches was 206.20 bu/acre and at 2.5 inches deep was 230.35 bu/acre. Bayer Learning Center at Scott, MS in 2022.


Figure 2. Average yield of seven DEKALB® brand corn products planted at a seeding rate of 27,000 was 189 and 213 bu/acre for seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches respectively; average yield at a seeding rate of 33,000 seeds/acre was 214 and 234 bu/acre for seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches respectively; average yield at a seeding rate of 39,000 seeds/acre was 216 and 244 bu/acre for seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches respectively.  Bayer Learning Center at Scott, MS in 2022.
Figure 2. Average yield of seven DEKALB® brand corn products planted at a seeding rate of 27,000 was 189 and 213 bu/acre for seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches respectively; average yield at a seeding rate of 33,000 seeds/acre was 214 and 234 bu/acre for seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches respectively; average yield at a seeding rate of 39,000 seeds/acre was 216 and 244 bu/acre for seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches respectively. Bayer Learning Center at Scott, MS in 2022.


Yields of seven DEKALB® brand corn products planted at seeding rates of 27,000, 33,000, and 39,000 seeds/acre at seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches. Bayer Learning Center at Scott, MS in 2022.
Figure 3. Yields of seven DEKALB® brand corn products planted at seeding rates of 27,000, 33,000, and 39,000 seeds/acre at seeding depths of 1.25 and 2.5 inches. Bayer Learning Center at Scott, MS in 2022.

KEY LEARNINGS

  • Planting depth can only be established at planting; therefore, growers should be aware of factors influencing seeding depth. These factors can include field conditions, planter settings, and planting speed.
  • Establishing correct planting depth can aid in developing optimal rooting mass/volume, aid in establishing uniform emergence and minimize bird predation.
  • Proper decision making, planter maintenance/adjustment, and understanding the interaction of the factors involved can help growers when selecting corn products and determining seeding rates and planting depth before and/or during planting.


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