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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

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.

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.

Figure 1. Plants tagged for emergence date (Scott, Mississippi, 2022).

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

To compare yearly research data, click on a tab.