What are the Factors that Help to Determine Corn Planting Populations?

Many would like to think that only one factor such as "upright" leaf structure determines the planting population of a corn hybrid, but it really is not that easy.  The "upright" leaf structure is but only one factor that 'may' affect a plant population response.  There are many genetic and environmental factors that can determine the optimum corn planting rate such as planting date, hybrid maturity, interception of light, amount of flex of the ear, soil productivity, weather, and many other agronomic characteristics (roots/stalks -genetics ex. water and nutrient uptake).

Why would you test or measure any or all of these factors individually? You need to test for the plant population response itself! - Jim Hughes, Hughes Seed

Burrus puts much effort in matching plant populations to specific corn hybrids in order to maximize benefits for our customers.  The subtle genetic variations that give rise to different hybrids affect how those hybrids respond to the soil type, maturity zone, and the stress load.  Our goal is to give you recommendations that will maximize your yield and allow you to take maximum advantage of your local grain market.   

We base our corn planting rate recommendations from data we generate in our research plots.  We conduct planting rate testing in different yield environments and maturity zones to determine what planting rate for a given hybrid results in the highest yield without sacrificing plant standability.  Since the weather has a huge impact on yield and standability, and because weather conditions can vary drastically from year to year, we base our recommendations from multiple years of data.  Using this approach, we believe that our planting rate recommendations provide you with the best chance of maximizing yield, and therefore profit, in any given year. - Chip Turner, Burrus Research Technician

The recommended planting rates for the Burrus hybrid seed corn can be found in the chart in the blog: Burrus Recommended Corn and Soybean Plant Populations

Check out the latest Burrus Agronomy U: Seeding Rate and Hybrid Type - Dr. Matt Montgomery, Burrus Sales Agronomist