When Do Late-Season Management Decisions No Longer Influence Corn Yield?
2011
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
Project Media
Numerous in-season management decisions need to be made growing corn. Some inputs are relatively easy decisions to make and must be legally followed, i.e. pesticide applications. Other decisions are more difficult with no clear guidelines due to the unpredictability of environmental influences. For example, irrigating for the last time during a growing season is influenced by the growth stage, the amount of plant green leaf area, the yield potential of the crop, the amount of rainfall predicted, the amount of stored water in the soil profile and the air temperature and humidity which will drive the evapotransporation process to cool the plant if needed. Some things can be measured like green leaf area, yield potential, and stored water, but other things are vague yet need to be considered in the decision.