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

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.

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 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 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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