Wow, what a spring so far. Planting started here in the Keota area on April 10. I am in favor of the planting fever we have experienced in April. The soils temperature have been above 54 degrees most of the spring and evening temps have stayed warm. Even with all the good things, there are still some concerns out there. Emergence in places is uneven. I have bee taking many questions about if the late coming plants will be viable or not. There are many variables in that question. It takes approximately 100-120 GDDs for a corn plant to emerge. If you find a plant spiking through the soil and it's neighbor sitting in dry soil without a radicle emerged from the seed, then it will take that seed about 8-10 days to emerge. Under favorable conditions the emerged plant will be up and going and the slow coming plant will be unviable. If the seed has rooted and has a shorter coleoptile, then it will have a chance to compete.
We had 0.5" of rain here in Keota today. Every seed planted should have had a good soaking, and all that was planted this week should be emerging evenly. We have had very cloddy soil conditions here from Ottumwa through Keota. The rains will also help melt those down. Chemicals should be activated and we will be off to the races. I will be out inthe fields most of the time next week so I will be able to evaluate stands and report back.
Just a reminder, I now have a twitter account and I will report what I am finding on www.twitter.com/pdraisey.
I have been keeping a running total of GDDs for this spring. I started on 4/10 with the first planter running. I know not all the seed went into the ground on that day, so I have broke down the totals on a daily basis. I went back to the field planted on the 10th when the total GDDs first went over 100 units. The corn coleoptile was right at the soil surface. Each hybrid will be different but, you will see spikes when the GDDs are between 100-120 units. How does this help? If we were having problems with crusting, knowing the GDDs can help make the decision of whether to rotary hoe or not. That is a very simple example. You can make that decision by scratching in the soil. If you are ever interested on the total GDDs for your crop, please contact me and ask. I try to keep the running total with me daily.
Enjoy the wet weather. I can't believe I said that after the last two springs. Be safe.
Perri
319-929-7851
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