New Corn Publications From Penn State
Mark Antle
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences
Penn State
March 1998
Five new corn related publications have recently become available from Penn State's Publications Distribution Center. Summaries of each publication are listed below.
Agronomy Facts 52, Potential for Narrow Row Corn in Pennsylvania is a five page fact sheet which summarizes five years of narrow row corn research at Penn State. The research has shown that corn silage yields typically increase by 5 to 10 percent when planted in 15-20 inch rows. The yield increase is somewhat inconsistent depending on a number of factors which are described in the publication. This fact sheet describes the changes that need to be considered in the management of insecticide, fertility, planting, and harvesting of narrow row corn. Considerations such as yield response to various plant populations and row spacings are also outlined in the fact sheet.
Considerations for Double-cropping Corn Following Hay in Pennsylvania, Agronomy Facts 56, outlines the pros and cons of planting corn following a first cutting of hay. This is a practice which some producers have found profitable, especially when the first cutting of hay is harvested as haylage. Management considerations such as hybrid selection, insect control, planting techniques, weed control and economics of double-cropping corn are all discussed in the fact sheet.
Anyone who has ever experienced an infestation of Burcucumber in a corn field will appreciate the research conducted by former Penn State Agronomy graduate student David Messersmith. Managing Burcucumber in Agronomic Crops, Agronomy Facts 59, contains information summarizing the results of David's research in controlling this pesky summer annual weed. Burcucumber management relies on a combination of preventative, cultural, mechanical, and chemical practices, all of which are discussed in the publication.
Starter Fertilizer (Agronomy Facts 51) describes different materials, rates, and application techniques used in starter fertilizers. This factsheet provides a overview of the fundamenatl concepts associated with using starter fertilizers. Also included is a brief review of soil chemistry and how various crops respond to starter fertilizer.
The Field Crop Weed Control Guide is an annual publication containing updated information on herbicides. It is an easy to read manual with a layout similar to the Penn State Agronomy Guide. The Weed Control Guide also contains a Weed Management section which discusses aspects of weed biology, scouting, thresholds, control practices, herbicide-tolerant crops, herbicide resistant weeds, and postemergence herbicide principles. There are five commodity sections which discuss weed management in corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, small grains, and forages.
To obtain a copy of these publications, visit your local county cooperative extension office or contact the Penn State Publications Distribution Center at (814) 865-6713. The Field Crop Weed Control Guide costs $5.50 and the Agronomy Facts publications are free of charge.