HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gesch, R. W. Articles by Archer, D. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Gesch, R. W. Articles by Archer, D. W. Agricola Articles by Gesch, R. W. Articles by Archer, D. W. Related Collections Maize Management Other Cropping Systems Maize Seed Treatment

Production Papers

Influence of Sowing Date on Emergence Characteristics of Maize Seed Coated with a Temperature-Activated Polymer

USDA-ARS, North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory, 803 Iowa Ave., Morris MN 56267

^* Corresponding author (gesch{at}morris.ars.usda.gov)

Received for publication February 15, 2005. Cold, wet soils, coupled with a short growing season, create a narrow window of optimum time for planting corn (Zea mays L.) in the northern Corn Belt. Temperature-activated polymer (TAP) coatings designed to inhibit planted seed from imbibing water until adequate soil temperatures are reached to promote germination and emergence may offer potential for planting corn exceptionally early. A study from 2000 to 2002 was conducted in west central Minnesota on a Barnes soil (Calcic Hapludoll) to determine the potential for earlier-than-average planting of TAP-coated corn seed. The objective was to compare emergence characteristics of coated and uncoated hybrid corn planted early and at a near-average planting date. Seed planted 29 Mar. 2000 and 24 Apr. 2002 remained in the soil for as long as 26 to 32 d before emerging. In these instances, stands from TAP-coated seed, which ranged from 60 to 90% of seed planted, were generally greater than those of uncoated seed, which ranged from 49 to 68%. Stand establishment and time required to obtain 50% and from 10 to 90% emergence for most early planted coating x hybrid seed combinations were similar to uncoated seed planted at near-average planting dates of 1, 14, and 16 May in 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively. When both coated and uncoated seed were sown at an average planting date, stand establishment was similar, but emergence for coated seed was generally delayed. Results of this study indicate that TAP coatings protected seeds from injury caused by extended exposure to cold soils, and therefore, might be a useful management tool for early corn planting.

Abbreviations: DOY, day of year • GDD, growing degree days • TAP, temperature-activated polymer • UN, uncoated seed

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. S. Sharratt and R. W. Gesch Emergence of Polymer-Coated Corn and Soybean Influenced by Tillage and Sowing Date Agron. J., May 7, 2008; 100(3): 585 - 590. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Kucharik Contribution of Planting Date Trends to Increased Maize Yields in the Central United States Agron. J., February 26, 2008; 100(2): 328 - 336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. J. Cox, E. Shields, and J. H. Cherney The Effect of Clothianidin Seed Treatments on Corn Growth following Soybean Crop Sci., November 7, 2007; 47(6): 2482 - 2485. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W. J. Cox, J. H. Cherney, and E. Shields Clothianidin Seed Treatments Inconsistently Affect Corn Forage Yield When following Soybean Agron. J., March 12, 2007; 99(2): 543 - 548. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Kucharik A Multidecadal Trend of Earlier Corn Planting in the Central USA Agron. J., October 3, 2006; 98(6): 1544 - 1550. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]