Corn Plant Density

Rationale: Many factors contribute to the yield progress of corn. One is the ability of modern corn plants to withstand high population stress.

Objective(s):

1. To determine the effect of plant density on grain and forage yield and quality.

2. To develop plant density recommendations for corn grain and forage production in Wisconsin.

Read about past work in this research area:

• Grain response
  • 2004 ASA Meetings
• Silage response
• A new approach (Maximum response to plant density)
• Concerns about higher plant population
• Current recommendations

Annual Reports

2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Key References

Widdicombe, W.D., and K.D. Thelen. 2002. Row width and plant density effects on corn grain production in the northern Corn Belt. Agronomy Journal 94:1020-1023.

Porter, P.M., D.R. Hicks, W.E. Lueschen, J.H. Ford, D.D. Warnes, and T.R. Hoverstad. 1997. Corn response to row width and plant population in the northern corn belt. Journal of Production Agriculture 10:293-300.

Farnham, D.E. 2001. Row spacing, plant density, and hybrid effects on corn grain yield and moisture. Agronomy Journal 93:1049-1053.

Cusicanqui, J.A., and J.G. Lauer. 1999. Plant density and hybrid influence on corn forage yield and quality. Agronomy Journal 91:911-915.

Cox, W.J., D.R. Cherney, and J.J. Hanchar. 1998. Row spacing, hybrid, and plant density effects on corn silage yield and quality. Journal of Production Agriculture 11:128-134.

Cuomo, G.J., D.D. Redfern, and D.D. Blouin. 1998. Plant density effects on tropical corn forage mass, morphology, and nutritive value. Agronomy Journal 90:93-96.

This project is funded through Hatch grants.

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