Answers are from the Indiana certified crop adviser panel: Betsy Bower, Keystone Cooperative, Lafayette, Ind.; Jeff Nagel, Keystone Cooperative, Lafayette, Ind.; Marty Park, Gutwein Seed Service, Rensselaer, Ind.; and Dan Quinn, Purdue University Extension corn specialist.

 

My neighbor’s corn stands always seem consistent. Every row looks the same. How do I get my corn to look that consistent?

 

Bower: A lot of cornfields get to V3 at the same time, but that is when you can start to see issues in the field. After V3, corn starts to transition from the seed and seedling roots as its main source of nutrition to the nodal roots system. This is when you start to see issues with insects, diseases or sidewall compaction. Go through your planter every year and replace worn parts. Also, check to see if the planting depth is the same in every row.

 

Your neighbor is likely managing soil pH, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. He may have starter to provide a little food near the seed. While starter does not always ensure better yields, it often leads to drier corn at harvest. He also is paying attention to weed control and applying a residual product at planting. And he comes back to control escapes. Your neighbor is likely paying attention to core agronomic practices, but he knows that the planter is the first operation he needs to get right to get high and consistent yields.

 

Nagel: Consistent stand establishment certainly sets the potential for high yields. If you can get to a uniform V6 growth stage, you are well positioned. The rest of the growing season and in-season management will play a significant role in yields.

 

Uniform germination, emergence and successful transition to the permanent root system at around V3 to V4 is not always easy to achieve. Having planter technology that accurately singulates seed, places it in the bottom of the seed trench, and has hydraulic downforce that can add or remove weight from individual row units is a good place to start. Seed-bed preparation or soil conditions at planting also are important. Planting “heavy” can lead to emergence and uniformity issues. Adequate early-season nutrition helps with a more robust start. Have some type of starter system or broadcast nitrogen to help promote early growth and establishment. Even though N uptake is small early in the season, plants need to sense sufficient N by V2 to set the trajectory.

 

Park: Planting is the most important operation that influences yield potential. It is extremely hard to get maximum yield if you have a poor start. Planting into favorable seed-bed conditions with a perfectly maintained planter that allows every seed to emerge uniformly and with great spacing is critical. Tillage, residue management, fertility, drainage, hybrid choice and the weather are also big factors.

 

Quinn: The planter is often one of the first things to look at when attempting to get consistent, uniform stands. Planter maintenance to achieve consistent depth, good singulation and proper downforce is important. Research shows that active downforce systems do a great job of maintaining consistent planter/ground contact and seed depth across fields, especially in more variable fields.

 

Also, select a hybrid with good vigor, stress tolerance and a good seed treatment. Lastly, planting into good conditions can make a world of difference.