Corn seeding populations has been a focus of many university and seed company researchers for many years. As the cost of seed has increased, so has the need to make sure that you are maximizing the yield potential of the hybrids by increasing plant populations. For the past several years, plant breeders have been selecting hybrids that have superior performance at higher planting and harvest populations. These new hybrids are also superior to older generation hybrids for drought tolerance, standability and late season plant intactness. To read the article that was recently written by Dr. Emerson Nafziger, at the University of Illinois, showing the relationship of seeding rates to hybrid performance and the cost of seed Click Here.

Additional great articles about seeding populations can be found at the following links:

Integrated Crop Management, What is the best seeding rate for corn based on seed prices and yield level? By Roger Elmore and Lori Abendroth, Department of Agronomy

University of Illinois The Bulletin, Should We Increase Corn Plant Populations? By Emerson Nafziger