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Seeding Depth Decisions For Corn
4/26/2006
Ron F. Meyer
Area Extension Agent
(Agronomy)
Colorado State University Extension
Golden Plains
Area |
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* Corn seeding depth decisions should be made at time of
planting.
* An all-purpose depth is 1-1/2 inches.
* Aim for seeding
placement into uniform seedbed moisture conditions.
Asking someone how
deep they are planting their corn is a common way to open a conversation this
time of year. Everyone has an opinion on the matter and everyone has
their own experiences to back up their opinions:
“If you
don’t see a few kernels on top of the ground, you ain’t planting
shallow enough!”
“If you plant deeper than one inch, crust will
get you every time!”
“If you plant too shallow, the crown roots
will form at the surface and dry out!”
“The deeper you plant the
seed, the deeper the roots will grow!”
The reality is that the
correct corn seeding depth should be based on the conditions of the seedbed and
the 10-day weather outlook at the time of planting. The conditions of
every one of your fields may vary dramatically enough as to warrant a slightly
different seeding depth for each one. Conversely, you may end up using a
common seeding depth setting for every field this year. The point is that
you need to spend some time evaluating each field at the time of
planting. Don’t simply use the setting that you finished up with
last year!
An all-purpose seeding depth for corn that is practical under
many conditions is 1-1/2 inches. Planting shallower than that increases
the risks associated with a rapidly drying seedbed, shallow crown root
development and (in some locations) feeding damage by birds and
rodents.
Under dry or potentially dry seedbed conditions, do not
hesitate to increase seeding depth to 2-3 inches if that depth is where uniform
moisture exists. Physiologically, corn can emerge from those seeding
depths due to the ability of the mesocotyl to elongate in response to
planting depth. If dry conditions exist at shallower depths and the
short-term (10-day) weather forecast is dry, the risk associated with deeper
planting is less than the risk of inadequate or uneven moisture at shallower
depths.
Source: R. L. (Bob) Nielsen, Agronomy Dept., Purdue
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Page Created and Maintained by: Perry D. Brewer, Area
Extension Agent (Technology Education/Youth)
4/26/2006 |
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