Corn
How deep should I plant corn seed?
Many producers unfamiliar with corn seedling development plant corn too shallow.
Corn seed should be planted 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep, depending upon soil moisture and soil texture. For example, corn seed should be planted about an inch and a half deep on moist, clay soils or conversely, about 2 inches deep on dry, sandy soils.
Planting depth should be set in the field during planting - not necessarily in the shop, based upon the owner's manual. This is important because soil type, seedbed condition and moisture may influence actual depth. Corn seed's inherent energy and germination process ensure emergence from depths as great as three inches.
Shallow planting often leads to root development problems. The origination point of the nodal root system is moved upward when corn seed is not planted deep enough. Corn seed placed less than 1 inch deep will develop nodal roots at or above the soil surface. This exposes these roots to factors such as hot, dry soil, herbicide injury, and insect predation which can significant impede root development. This will likely lead to early season problems with standability and nutrient deficiencies. Birds may also reduce stand by extracting shallow-planted corn seeds.
