Planting Depth Effects on Corn Yield in Southern North Carolina
Trial Objective
Determining an optimum planting depth for corn is essential for proper root development and to help prevent potential problems throughout the growing season.
The objective of this field experiment was to evaluate the effects of three different planting depths on corn yield in Southern North Carolina.
Research Site Details
The experiment was planted at the Regional Technology Center (RTC) in Maxton, NC on flat ground in two replications on 12 row strips that were 350 feet long with 20-inch spacing.
Treatments included three different planting depths: 1-inch, 2-inch, and 2.5-inch.
Each treatment was sub-irrigated and received 300 units of nitrogen. All other agronomic practices were per local standards.
Understanding the Results
As corn planting depth decreased, average yield per acre decreased at this location (Figure 1).
The highest average yield per acre was observed at a planting depth of 2.5-inches.
The average dollars lost per acre were from $10.35 to $27.60 at planting depths of 2-inches and 1-inch, respectively (Figure 2).
What Does This Mean for Your Farm?
In this trial the average yield per acre decreased and average dollars lost per acre increased when corn was planted shallower than 2.5 inches at this location.
