Impact of Planting Date on Arkansas Field Corn.

Field studies evaluating the impact of planting date of field corn grown in the Mississippi River Delta of Arkansas were conducted in 2008 near Rohwer in Southeast Arkansas, near Marianna in East-Central Arkansas, and near Keiser in Northeast Arkansas.   Approximate planting dates evaluated included; March 25, April 10, April 30, May 15, and June 1.  Twelve hybrids were evaluated at each planting date with a maturity range from 110 to 119 days.  All hybrids were glyphosate tolerant and contained various insect tolerance traits.  All trials were planted on raised beds to facilitate furrow irrigation and row spacing was 38 inches wide at Keiser and Rohwer, and 30 inches at Marianna.  Fertilizer was applied according to current University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service recommendations.  Data collected included; days from planting to emergence, days to silking, plant height, ear height, grain yield, and corn borer ratings.