16 The Business of Ontario Agriculture Better Farming | May 2024 ability, water availability, water availability. Corn planted at too high a seeding rate in water-limiting soils competes too much for nutrients and water. We can add more plants closer together in high-yielding areas because they can take the inter-plant stress more easily. More plants in higher-yield environments means more yield. Every field has unique characteristics regarding water-holding capacity, not only at a field level but also at a crop management/soil zone level. This sets the basis for corn populations and the stress corn plants will go through in a growing season on a sub-fields basis. At Corteva we look at decision zones (crop management zones) and what yield levels and corresponding populations are in these decision zones. For each decision zone, the zone can be broken down into yield “steps.” Think of a set of stairs. For each step of stairs, yield can go up 10 bushels. Our research would say that for each step or yield level increment of 10 bushels, we have data that would recommend a certain population by hybrid for that yield step. Every hybrid is unique in its own characteristics. Some hybrids flex down based on stressors thrown at it during a given growing season. For example, some flex down from 18 to 16 rows at V5-V6 if stress occurs at that growth stage. Others flex down during the critical pollination period and some others at the kernel depth/ kernel weight phase, equating to the last 30 days of grain fill. Corn tends to respond to higher populations in Northern climates. Sunlight hours and intensity changes the farther north you are than south. Capturing as much sunlight on a per-acre basis as early as possible is critical. Researchers talk a lot about leaf area index and if we can utilize this to capture 95 per cent of the sunlight at the onset of reproductive stages. If we do that, we are set up for maximum POPULATIONS Paul Hermans photo Scouting fields will help you get a sense of height differences at critical growing periods in soybean development stages. Reach out to experts to explore the benefits of VRS on your farm. Paul Hermans photo
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