Effect of Seeding Date, Plant Density, Moisture Availability, and Soil Nitrogen Fertility on Maize Kernel Breakage Susceptibility¹

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate seeding date, plant density, moisture availability, and soil N fertility effects on maize (Zea mays L.) kernel breakage susceptibility. Three hybrids within each of three relative maturity (RM) groups (90, 100, 110 days by Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating System) were grown in separate seeding date and plant density studies at Arlington, WI [Plano silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic, Typic Argiudoll)], in 1983 and 1984. Maize was seeded four times at 10-day intervals beginning 1 May. Average densities were 1.75,3.75,5.75, and 7.75 plants m-'. Hybrids were also evaluated in separate irrigated and dryland trials at Hancock, WI [Plainfield sandy loam (mixed, mesic, Typic Udipsamment)]. In a soil N study, grain samples were collected from an experiment at Arlington in which three N rates (0,11, and 22 g m-z were applied. Grain was combine-harvested at 25% kernel moisture (except at Hancock where moistures ranged from 21 to 32%) and dried at 82°C in 1983 and 60°C in 1984. Kernel breakage susceptibility, test weight and kernel weight, volume, density, and grain yield were measured. Delayed planting, high plant densities, and low applied N increased kernel breakage susceptibility. At Hancock, higher kernel breakage susceptibility occurred with irrigated-vs. dryland-produced maize. Kernel physical parameters measured were not closely related to kernel breakage susceptibility, except in the soil N study, where the largest range occurred for each variable. The 110-day RM hybrids had lower kernel breakage susceptibility than 90-and 100-day RM hybrids.

Impact of Deficit Irrigation on Maize Physical and Chemical Properties and Ethanol Yield

“…Maize with high irrigation level had the highest breakage susceptibility (Fig. 1B), which agreed with previous studies in maize (Bauer and Carter 1986;Kniep and Mason 1989). Kernel breakage susceptibility was based on the corneous-to-floury endosperm ratios.…”

“…1D), which was in contrast with research on sorghum (Griess et al 2010). No relationship between kernel density and breakage susceptibility was found, which agreed with some previous studies (Bauer and Carter 1986;Kniep and Mason 1989). Crop rotation had a significant effect on maize test weight and true density (Fig.…”

Yield‐Based Corn Planting Date Recommendation Windows for Iowa

“…The influence of corn planting date on yield potential has been well documented in previous literature (Gupta, 1985;Bauer and Carter, 1986;Imholte and Carter, 1987;Nafziger, 1994;Swanson and Wilhelm, 1996;Lauer et al, 1999;Farnham, 2001;Nielsen et al, 2002;Bruns and Abbas, 2006;Van Roekel and Coulter, 2011). The methods used to summarize planting date findings and to derive recommendations vary within previous research, with findings generally beginning at a particular calendar day determined to be optimum and calculation of the yield loss as a percentage or as bushels per acre for each day of delay.…”

Importance and Effect of Nitrogen on Crop Quality and Health

“…Personal communications from livestock feeders and dry millers indicate that uniformity of kernel size is important, but has not been studied scientifically. Kernel weight has been shown to increase with increasing nitrogen application (Rendig and Broadbent, 1979;Cromwell et al, 1983;Bauer and Carter, 1986;Kniep and Mason, 1989).…”

“…Physical quality is a primary concern of the corn dry milling industry to optimize the production of the highest value end-product of uniform, large flaking grits (Paulsen and Hill, 1985). Bauer and Carter (1986) and Kniep and Mason (1989) found that kernel breakage decreased and kernel density increased with nitrogen fertilizer application.…”