Planting Depth and Landscape Position Effects on Corn Emergence

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United States

Johnston, Iowa (50131)

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Review:

Key Findings

Plot studies were conducted in 2018 and 2019 near Columbia, MO, at the University of Missouri Bay Farm Research Facility on an upland alfisol soil with a claypan horizon.
Three landscape positions, summit, back slope, and foot slope, were identified within a single field and used for the study.
Plots at each landscape position were planted to four targeted seeding depths, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 inches.
Plots were four rows by 30-ft long, planted at 30-inch row spacing.
The study was planted on April 26 in 2018 and on April 9 in 2019, with good soil moisture in both years.
All plant measurements were taken for both studies from two 10-ft long sections from adjacent rows in each plot. Plant emergence was monitored and recorded daily for each plant.
Three response measurements were generated from the collected emergence data.
- Emergence rate: Total time required from planting to 90% emergence
- Emergence window: Time between first emergence and 90% emergence
- Emergence percent: Fraction of emerged seedlings from total seed planting

All three emergence performance metrics were uniquely affected each year by landscape position.
Emergence timeliness and uniformity were also impacted differently each year by planting depth.
Careful attention to conditions in uplands fields like the one used in this study is necessary, as emergence performance can vary substantially over changing landscape positions, planting depths, and growing seasons.