Rapid, uniform germination and emergence of corn help set the stage for maximum grain yield at the end of the season. Without a successful start to the season, the crop is behind the proverbial "eight-ball" right from the beginning.

The good news is there are only four simple requirements for uniform germination and emergence of corn. The bad news is that one or more of the requirements are sometimes absent in one field or another.

Requirement No. 1: Adequate and uniform soil moisture at the seed zone

Adequate soil moisture is most simply defined as not too dry and not too wet. Most growers know what "adequate" looks and feels like. Uneven soil moisture in the seed zone can be caused by variable soil characteristics, tillage patterns, unusual weather conditions and uneven seeding depth.

Uneven soil moisture throughout the seed zone is the primary cause of uneven emergence, the results of which can easily be yield losses of 8% to 10%.

Useful Tip

When seedbed conditions are dry, make sure your choice of seeding depth ensures uniformly adequate soil moisture for the germination of the seed.

Even though a 1.5- to 2-inch seeding depth is a good choice for many conditions, don't hesitate to increase seeding depth to 2.5 to 3 inches if that is the depth where the uniform soil moisture is located. Planting shallower than 1.5 inches increases the risk of poor or uneven germination during subsequent drying of surface soils.

Requirement No. 2: Adequate and uniform soil temperature at the seed zone

Corn will germinate and emerge slowly and unevenly when soil temperatures are less than 50F. When soils warm to the mid-50s or warmer, emergence will occur in seven days or less if soil moisture is adequate.

Thermal time from planting to emergence is approximately 115 growing degree days (GDDs) using the modified growing-degree formula with air temperatures or about 119 GDDs based on soil temperatures.

Uneven soil temperature in the seed zone can be caused by variable soil texture, soil color, soil drainage, surface residue in reduced tillage systems and seeding depth control. Temperature variability during germination and emergence is most critical when average soil temperatures are hovering about the critical 50F minimum threshold value.

More Useful Tips

Dark-colored soils will typically warm more quickly than light-colored soils. If soils dry differently across the field, the drier areas will typically warm faster than the wet areas. Uneven residue cover (surface trash) in reduced tillage systems causes significantly lower soil temperatures under the heavier cover than under barer spots in the field.

Uneven seeding depth exposes deeper planted seeds to slightly cooler seed zones than seeds placed shallower. Consider row-cleaning attachments for the planter to move aside the surface trash during planting and expose the seedbed to sunlight and its warming effects. Consider strip-till practices in the future to better manage surface trash in a reduced tillage system.

Requirement No. 3: Adequate and uniform seed-to-soil contact

In order for the kernel to absorb moisture quickly and uniformly, soil must be firmed completely around the kernel. Seed-to-trash contact results from "hair-pinning" of surface trash into the seed furrow during no-till planting when soil and/or trash are too wet for adequate coulter cutting action.

Seed-to-clod contact results from planting into cloddy fields created by working soil too wet. Seed-to-rock contact is — needless to say — not good for proper germination either. Seed-to-air contact results from open planter furrows when no-till planting into excessively wet soils. Germination of kernels lying in open planter furrows is dependent

Moving Trash

Whippers, wipers, movers, fingers and other similar trash-management gadgets for the planter are most beneficial when you are challenged with rocky, cloddy or trashy surface conditions. These attachments help clear the way for the planter's double-disc openers to more easily do their job of creating an optimum seed furrow.

Other planter attachments that help press the kernels into the seed furrow can improve seed-to-soil contact and seeding depth uniformity when seedbed conditions are otherwise challenging.

Requirement No. 4: Soil surface free from crust

Severe surface crusting or compaction will restrict emergence of the coleoptile and cause underground leafing or plant death. Severe sidewall compaction can also limit elongation of the mesocotyl and emergence of the coleoptile.