Is it better to plant corn at low density or high density?

Summary: Should corn be planted at "high density" or at low density?

The autumn harvest season has arrived, and corn has successively entered the harvest season. The issue of corn planting density is actually a concern for many farmers. I previously saw someone say that if you want high corn yields, you must plant densely. But here I personally think it still comes down to that same saying: adjust measures to local conditions!

What planting density is more reasonable for corn?

The first thing to understand is that corn planting density is constrained by many factors. If you do not understand this clearly and blindly pursue a high-density planting method, the final result is very likely to be the opposite of what you want.

Variety is a major factor affecting planting density. Corn varieties are diverse, and their adaptability to density also differs. Generally speaking, compact hybrid corn varieties have relatively good density tolerance, while flat-type corn varieties have somewhat poorer density tolerance than compact types.

Specifically, for upright-leaf early-maturing corn varieties, this kind of corn has relatively good density tolerance; upright-leaf corn leaves grow upward and the plant type is compact. Generally, about 4500 plants are planted per mu. For flat-type late-maturing corn varieties, this kind of corn variety has somewhat poorer density tolerance. Generally, about 3200 plants are planted per mu, because this kind of corn variety has a relatively tall plant type, wide and large leaves, and a relatively large angle between the ear position and the main stalk. In addition, there are corn varieties between the two; this kind of corn variety has moderate density tolerance, and generally about 3500 plants are enough.

In addition to the issue of variety, the soil, water, and fertilizer conditions also need to be considered. Take the Northwest region: due to relatively poor irrigation and relatively little rainfall, areas where corn growth is affected mostly belong to dryland corn regions. In this region, water conditions can hardly meet the growth needs of corn, so low-density planting of corn is more suitable to avoid overall poor growth.

The corn planting density in the southern Huang-Huai region, the Southwest, and the southern corn planting regions is also not very high. This is mainly because the rainfall in these regions is exactly the opposite of that in the Northwest region. These regions have relatively high rainfall, and excessive rain is also unfavorable to corn growth. In particular, too much rain during the seedling stage will affect the growth of corn seedlings and is unfavorable for seedling establishment. Too much rain in the middle stage of corn growth can easily cause excessive vegetative growth, lodging, and other situations. Therefore, these areas are also not suitable for dense corn planting.

The Northeast and the Huang-Huai Plain region are the main corn production areas of our country. These areas have moderate rainfall and good irrigation conditions, and corn growth is good. These areas are suitable for dense planting.

In addition, research has found that heat is also a major issue affecting corn planting density. Heat conditions affect corn growth. Therefore, for areas in the Northeast with relatively poor heat conditions, planting can be appropriately increased in these areas due to the relatively poor heat conditions, increasing the heat storage between corn plants. Appropriate dense planting is beneficial to corn growth in these areas.

In addition, the yield level of the corn plot is also a factor affecting planting density. For medium-yield plots, planting density can be appropriately reduced. For flat-type corn varieties, generally about 3000 plants are planted; for compact corn varieties, about 4000 plants are planted.

For medium- and high-yield plots, where corn yield per mu can reach 1000 to 1200 jin, the corn planting density can be appropriately increased. For high-yield plots, where yield per mu is relatively high and reaches more than 1300 jin, the corn planting density in these plots should be denser. Therefore, the choice of corn planting density still needs to be based on local conditions, and one must not blindly pursue dense planting.

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