Effects of Plant Population On Late Planted Corn.

In one out of five years, excessive rainfall in April and May forces farmers in Ohio to plant or replant  much their corn acreage in late May & early June. The objective of this study was to determine if the plant populations required to optimize crop performance in early to mid June are the same as those in late April and early May. Four VT3 corn hybrids differing in relative maturity (102,104, 111, 113 days) were evaluated at six plant densities ranging from 49,000 to 111,000 plants ha^-1 at S. Charleston and Hoytville, Ohio in 2008 to 2010. Plots were over planted and thinned at V5 to V6 to achieve the six plant densities. Hybrid response to increasing plant density decreased on later planting dates. Stalk lodging was greater at higher plant densities and later planting dates. Plant density effects on grain moisture were inconsistent.