 |
ProCrop |
Avoiding Uneven Emergence
Corn sometimes emerges unevenly because of environmental factors that corn growers can't control. Nevertheless, the following management practices can help you avoid uneven stands:
*Avoid excessive tillage trips which dry or compact the seedbed.
*Remember that tilling when soils are too wet can produce cloddy soils, a major cause of uneven stands.
*Dig up some seeds during planting to monitor seed placement. If contact between seed and soil is poor or seeding depth isn't uniform, adjust seed openers and/or press-wheel tension. Secondary tillage operations may need to be changed to improve soil conditions for more uniform planting.
*If you are using a tillage system that retains substantial crop residue on the soil at planting, adjust tillage and planting equipment so residue cover over the row area is uniform after planting.
*Follow recommended herbicide application guidelines to avoid injuring corn.
*After planting, closely monitor corn emergence and use a rotary hoe if a soil crust is keeping corn from emerging uniformly.
-------------------------------
SOURCE: NCR Publication No. 344
Back to Corn Menu
Back to Main ProCrop Index
