Plant Population and Seed Spacing Impact on Corn Yield

— Written By and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

In the past, I have had questions about what the seed spacing of corn in inches would be for various populations at a given row width. I have put together a table that gives the inches per seed for a range of plant populations and row widths (see Table below). 

Things to think about:

  • If your ears of corn in previous years are filled all the way to the tip, this may be a sign that you have not exceeded the yield potential of your soils, growing conditions, hybrids, and/or management practices and you could benefit from an increase in your corn plant populations.
  • Make certain that all parts of your planter such as brushes, vacuum/pressure settings, or the operation of your planter such as planter speed are correct so as to provide precision seeding. Studies have shown that for each inch you deviate or vary from your intended plant spacing, you lose about 6 bushels of corn per acre.
  • If you feel that you are leaving bushels of corn on the table, then you may want to increase your seeding rate. I would advise that you make incremental increases in your plant population such as 2,000 seeds per acre.
  • Some varieties have better stand ability than others and attention should be given to your particular corn hybrids when determining seeding rates. On our most “thirsty soils” in the county, I would not use less than 28,000 seeds per acre. On most of our corn acres, seeding rates of 32,000 to 34,000 seeds would work. On our most productive land, I would not use any more than 36,000 seeds per acre, unless you have tested your corn hybrids and/or land at those higher seeding rates as well as have a means for supplemental water.
  • No matter what your row width, it is not advisable to have an in-row spacing of less than 6 inches (6 inches between seeds).

I give you this information just to let you think about what is best for your operation.  If you have questions, please give me a call.

Inches Per Seed at Various Row Widths and Seeds Per Acre@

Row Width

(Inches)

24,000 Seeds

Per Acre

26,000 Seeds

Per Acre

28,000 Seeds

Per Acre

30,000 Seeds

Per Acre

32,000 Seeds

Per Acre

34,000 Seeds

Per Acre

36,000 Seeds

Per Acre

38,000 Seeds

Per Acre

20 13.1 12.1 11.2 10.5 9.8 9.2 8.7 8.3
24 10.9 10.1 9.3 8.7 8.2 7.7 7.3 6.8
26.6 9.8 9.1 8.4 7.9 7.4 6.9 6.6 6.2
30 8.7 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.1 5.8 5.5
36 7.3 6.7 6.2 5.8 5.4 5.1 4.8 4.6
38 6.9 6.3 5.9 5.5 5.2 4.9 4.6 4.3
40 6.5 6.0 5.6 5.2 4.9 4.6 4.3 4.1

@ Regardless of the row width and seeding rate, seed spacing should be approximately 6 inches.