Trends in U.S. Field Corn Plant Population

This study evaluated the optimum corn plant population for two Hubner corn hybrids at one field site in Virginia. The objective of this study was to compare yield for both hybrids over a range of seeding rates and determine the optimum population. Two Hubner corn hybrids, H4663 which is a fixed ear and H4563 which is a flex ear type were planted at 28,000, 32,000, 36,000, 40,000 and 44,000 seeds per acre. To estimate final plant population, the number of plants in 200 square feet of each hybrid by population treatment were counted shortly after emergence and again approximately one month later.