Steve D. Ruhl, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent
To evaluate the effect of calibration and repair of planter units on yields of corn.
| Cooperator: | Tom Weiler | Fertilizer: | 250 lb/A of 0-0-60 and 175 lb/A |
| County: | Morrow | of Anhydrous NH3 3/29/2001 | |
| Nearest Town: | Chesterville | 200 lb/A of 19-19-19 at planting | |
| Drainage: | Systematically tiled | Planting Date: | April 27, 2001 |
| Soil Type: | Sloan silty clay loam | Planting Rate: | 30,200 seeds/A |
| Tillage: | Conventional | Row Width: | 30 inch |
| Previous Crop: | Soybeans | Herbicides: | |
| Variety: | Pioneer 34B23 | PRE | Define (14 oz/A) |
| Soil Test: | pH 7.0, P 23ppm, | Balance (1.5 oz/A) | |
| K 154ppm | POST | Distinct (4 oz/A) | |
| plus AMS | |||
| Harvest Date: | October 22 |
Three seeding units were removed from a John Deere 7000 six-row planter. The units were calibrated, and any needed repairs and adjustments were made. The calibrated units were compared to the non-calibrated units in a split-planter study. The treatments were replicated four times, and the entire six rows were harvested and measured using a weigh wagon. The length of the plots was 850 feet, and the harvested areas were approximately 3/10 of one acre. The speed of planting was 5 mph.
| Table 1. Corn Yield.1 | |
| Yield Treatment | (bu/A) |
| Calibrated, repaired and adjusted units | 205.8 a |
| Other units | 193.6 b |
| LSD (0.05) | 11.4 |
| F | 11.6 |
| CV | 2.5% |
| 1 Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different. | |
The results of this study show that the calibration, repair, and adjustment of the planting units of the John Deere 7000 planter did affect yield. This is the third study in two years that showed a significant increase in yield. This study supports the theory that a uniform stand is important in maximizing corn yields.
The author would like to thank Pioneer Hybrids for calibrating and repairing the three planter units and providing the seed for the study.
For additional information, contact:
Steve Ruhl
Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County
871 W. Marion Rd., Suite 102
Mt. Gilead, OH 43338
419-947-1070
ruhl1@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu