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Analyzing the Effect Plant Population Has on Yields for Dryland Corn

Applied Research

Blake Carter
County Extension Agent
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
Springfield

Abstract

Across all the different production systems, Georgia corn growers have demonstrated the ability to achieve great corn grain yields in the past. These yields have been achieved through adoption of modern corn hybrids coupled with improved management technologies and careful attention paid to all production practices. One aspect of production practices involves determining seed population and spacing. There is no one plant population to maximize yield and net returns across all fields in Georgia. Optimum populations vary according to soil type, hybrid, irrigation capabilities, and individual management practices. Irrigated cropping systems can support greater plant populations than dryland cropping systems. Current plant population recommendations for irrigated corn in Georgia are between 28,000 to 36,000 plants per acre. In dryland cropping systems current plant population recommendations are between 18,000 and 20,000 plants per acre in sandy soils. In previous growing seasons, a local grower planted 24,000 seed to the acre on sandy dryland fields with the yield goal being 100 bu/acre. Using that information, as well as the growers desire to find out what populations work best for different fields, a seed population study was created. Three fields were identified and labeled as high yielding, mid-yielding, and low yielding. Three seed populations were tested in each field and were replicated 4 times across the fields using randomization. It was found that the yields from the 18,000 seed population resulted in an average yield of 100 bu/acre which matched the yield goal for the grower. 16,000 population did not show a significant difference when compared to 18,000, while yields from the 14,000 population were 15% less than 18,000.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted only for display at AM/PIC. Poster is not to be judged, but the abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Blake Carter, Richard Evans, Corey Bryant
  1. Carter, B. County Extension Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 31329
  2. Evans, R. Bryan/Liberty County ANR Agent, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension, Georgia, 31312
  3. Bryant, C. Extension Grain Agronomist , UGA Extension, Georgia, 31794