For the stands currently being planted by farmers (26,000 to 34,000 plants per acre), plant arrangements in narrower rows approach a square pattern at about 15-inch row spacing. Grain yields increase about 3 to 5 percent, while silage yields increase about 6 to 8 percent in northern locations. Consistent yield increases do not normally occur in the southern corn belt. For narrow rows, plant the same population as 30-inch row spacing but err on the higher side by 1,000 to 2,000 more plants per acre. About half the time there will be a grain yield response to the higher populations.
For more information on this and other topics related to corn production, contact your state extension corn specialist or your local extension educator/agent.
The following is the link to the corn extension specialists: state extension corn specialists.
