Contents
3.4 Managing Field
Corn Pest Problems in New York
3.6 Managing
Insects, Slugs, and Nematodes in Corn
High-yielding corn requires moderately well-drained or well-drained soil with a pH above 6.0 as well as timely and skillful management practices. Management practices to consider carefully include planting techniques, hybrid selection, fertilization, and control of insects, weeds, and diseases. Correct management of all these practices is essential for maximum economic yield.
3.1 Planting Techniques
Early planting is necessary for maximum corn
yields. Under central and western
To achieve the full yield potential of an early planting date, full-season hybrids (hybrids that match the growing degree days in a region) are necessary (Figure 3.1.1). After the first or second week of May, however, the yield potential of full-season hybrids decreases appreciably. Furthermore, full-season hybrids often do not mature in the fall if planted after the first or second week of May. Therefore, for grain production, full-season hybrids should be planted only in late April or the first 10 days of May. For silage production, full-season hybrids can be planted until mid-May. The majority of corn acreage should be planted to medium-season hybrids (200 growing degree days less than the growing degree days in a region). If planting must be delayed until late May or early June, early-season hybrids are recommended.
The optimal corn population depends on soil
type, hybrid selection, and crop use. For many
Effect of planting date on grain yields of
different maturity-length corn hybrids—early: 1400-1700 GDD; medium: 1900-2200
GDD; full season: 2400-2600 GDD. Values are the result of several studies
conducted throughout central and western
Planting date, tillage practices, pest problems, planter performance, and hybrid selection influence actual corn populations obtained in the field. To compensate for potential problems, it should be assumed that only 90 percent of the kernels planted actually emerge and survive to become harvestable plants in the fall. To obtain 27,000 plants per acre at harvest on a moderately well-drained silt-loam soil, the planting rate should be about 30,000 plants per acre (27,000 divided by 0.90). In some situations such as a no-till situation or an April planting date, it should be assumed that only 85 percent of the kernels will emerge and survive. The planting rate in these situations on a moderately well-drained silt-loam soil should be about 31,765 plants per acre (27,000 divided by 0.85).
Figure 3.1.1 Effect of planting date on grain yields.
The Cornell Field Crops and Soils Handbook contains more detailed information about corn planting dates and rates.
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Grain Corn |
Silage Corn |
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Soil |
Planting Rate |
Harvest Population1 |
Planting Rate |
Harvest |
|
Plants/A |
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Very deep loams and silt loams with high moisture-holding capacity |
~32,250 |
28,000–30,000 |
~36,500 |
32,000–34,000 |
|
Well- to moderately well-drained loams to clay loams |
~30,000 |
26,000–28,000 |
~34,500 |
30,000–32,000 |
|
|
~27,750 |
24,000–26,000 |
~32,250 |
28,000–30,000 |
|
Droughty soils including very gravelly, sandy, or shallow soils |
~27,750 |
24,000–26,000 |
~30,000 |
26,000–28,000 |
|
1Hybrids that respond to
high populations should be at the high end of the harvest population range,
and hybrids that do not respond should be at the low end of the range for
each particular soil condition. |
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