Key Points
- Objective: In this multi-year study, we are evaluating the yield and economic performance of various corn planting depths.
- Furrow Moisture: Our studies show that the current best furrow moisture level to plant at is near a 33% moisture value.
- Continuous Monitoring: As soil conditions change across your field, and to achieve the ideal planting depth for your field, it’s important to be able to measure moisture in real-time. SmartFirmer and SmartDepth are valuable additions for exactly this.
Pop quiz! The ideal corn planting depth is...
A) 1.5"
B) 2”
C) 3”
D) second knuckle of index finger
After multiple years of data, the correct answer is: It depends!
As we started to look at the initial data from the PTI farm, we found that the highest-performing planting depth varied year-over-year.
In 2019, the 3” planting depth had the highest yield. In 2020, it was the 2" planting depth that performed the best. Once we overlaid furrow moisture data with ideal planting depth, the correlation became clear!
Ideal planting depth depends on moisture. Soil moisture is a critical component for seed germination, uniform plant emergence, and ultimately crop yield. We’ve discovered that the ideal furrow moisture level to plant at is near a 33% moisture value. This has typically correlated with our highest-yield planting depths.
The ideal planting depth is achieved by measuring the moisture in real-time and adjusting your planting depth to match. You may even find that soil conditions will change across your field. This is why it is critical to have your planter equipped to measure moisture levels and change your planting depth without leaving the cab using our SmartFirmer, SmartDepth, and 20|20 Monitor.
Our 2023 data reveals that SmartDepth achieved corn yield within 2.4 Bu/A of the optimum planting depth of 2.25” and economic variance of only $12.74/A.
The telling story in this study is furrow moisture levels. This data from 2023 illustrates an average furrow moisture of 38.8%. All planting depths deeper than 1.25” had furrow moisture over 33%. This indicated good field moisture and deep planting depths were not needed. At 1” and 1.25” planting depths, we lacked moisture, which is why we saw big yield losses at those depths.
By using SmartDepth, SmartFirmer, and a 20|20 monitor system, growers can take out the guesswork and obtain perfect planting depths just below the furrow moisture line.
In-Depth Study Videos
InsidePTI S2•E12
Planting Depth ‣ Corn
InsidePTI S1•E09
Planting Depth ‣ Corn
Study Details
Study data collected 2018-2023 at the PTI Farm in Pontiac, IL.
| Planting Date | Varied by Yeara | Rotation | CAC, CAB (2023) |
| Row Width | 30" | Population | 36K |
| Corn Prices | 2023 - $5.31 2022 - $6.00 2021 - $5.00 2020 - $3.75 2019 - $3.67 2018 - $3.50 | Hybrid | 2023 - DKC 66-17RIB 2022 - DK 66-17 2021 - AgriGold 639-70 2020 - AgriGold 641-52VT2 2019 - DKC 54-38 |
