Corn planting seems to be around the corner and warmer weather is predicted for later this week. Below is information concerning corn burndown, planter setup and nitrogen management in corn.  If you have any questions please let me know.  



Corn Burndown!!

In conservation tillage production, starting off weed free is a must to achieve maximum yields.  At left is information from Dr. Eric Prostko, UGA Weed Specialist, concerning weed and cover crop response to burndown corn herbicides and their plantback restrictions.  


Corn Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a very expensive input in corn production.  In sandy soils, nitrogen is very mobile. If excessive rainfall occurs or excessive amounts of water are applied through the irrigation system, leaching losses of nitrogen can be quite drastic during the growing season. To increase the efficiency of nitrogen recovery during the season, split applications of nitrogen are recommended.

Apply 25 to 30 percent of the projected nitrogen needs before or at planting. The remaining nitrogen can be applied sidedress and/or injected through the center-pivot systems (fertigation). If all the nitrogen is applied with ground equipment, apply 50 to 75 pounds per acre at or before planting under irrigated conditions and 20 to 50 lbs per acre in dryland environments and the rest when the corn is 12 to 16 inches tall.

If nitrogen is to be injected through the irrigation system, apply 40 to 60 lbs at or before planting and begin ground or injected applications of 30 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre when the corn is 8 to 12 inches tall. Continue on a bi-weekly basis until the total required nitrogen is applied. Three to five applications of nitrogen will be needed during the growing season.

Applications of nitrogen after pollination are not recommended unless a severe nitrogen deficiency is detected.

Corn Planter Tips
Corn seed is expensive so having the planter set up correctly is important. Click here for a planter checklist for corn growers from Wes Porter, UGA Precision Ag Specialist.