Corn Yield Response to Planting Speed in Southern North Carolina
Trial Objective
An optimum at-harvest plant population is required to help realize the yield potential of a corn product. As growers increase their acreage, they sometimes increase their planting speed to cover more ground in the same planting window.
The objective of this experiment was to understand how planting speed can affect yield potential and profit.
Research Site Details
Treatments were planted at the Regional Technology Center (RTC) in Maxton, NC with a CASE IH 1215 Rigid Mounted planter with 20/20 SeedSense®, CleanSweep®, DeltaForce®, and vSet® equipment attachments.
Each treatment was planted on conventionally-tilled flat ground in two replications on 12 row strips that were 500 feet long with 20-inch row spacing.
Treatments included planting speeds of: 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 mph.
Each treatment was sub-irrigated and received 300 units of nitrogen. All other agronomic practices were per local standards.
Understanding the Results
What Does This Mean for Your Farm?
The increased planting speeds decreased average corn yield at this location and correlated to a loss from $6.90 to $86.25 per acre.
It is important to evaluate potential yield loss when planting at speeds that exceed planting accuracy.
