Wisconsin Corn Agronomy

August 2005
Field Crops 28.424-40

Plant Densities for Corn Grain and Silage:
An Update

PDF Version

Summary

• Current plant density recommendations for corn grain production are 26,000 to 30,000 harvested plants/A.

• Current recommendations for corn silage are 2,000 to 3,000 plants/A greater than the density planted for grain.

• Compared to 30-inch rows, plant density of corn grown in row widths 36- to 38-inches should be decreased 2,000 plants/A. Plant density of corn grown in row widths 15- to 20-inches should be increased 2,000 plants/A.

• Optimum plant density of current hybrids appears to be greater than current recommendations.

• Response to plant density is likely field and hybrid specific.

• Suggest and encourage trying slightly higher plant densities on your farm in the range of 30,000 to 34,000 plants/A.

Corn forage yield and quality response to plant density at Arlington. Each point is the treatment mean of 3 to 4 replications.

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