Source: Ohio State University Extension

There are some reports of growers considering corn replanting. Most of these replant issues appear related to the consequences of planting in wet soils. 

Replant decisions in corn should be based on strong evidence that the returns to replanting will not only cover replant costs but also net enough to make it worth the effort. Don’t make a final assessment on the extent of damage and stand loss too quickly. The following are some guidelines to consider when making a replant decision. 

If the crop damage assessment indicates that a replant decision is called for, some specific information will be needed, including:

  • Original target plant population/Intended plant stand
  • Plant stand after damage 
  • Uniformity of plant stand after damage 
  • Original planting date 
  • Possible replanting date 
  • Likely replanting pest control and seed costs 

To estimate after-damage plant population per acre, count the number of viable plants in a length of row that equals 1/1,000 of an acre and multiply by 1,000. Make several counts in different rows in different parts of the field. Six to eight counts per 20 acres should be sufficient. Table 4-12 in the OSU Agronomy Guide shows row lengths required to equal 1/1,000 acre when corn is planted at various row widths.

A major consideration in making a replant decision is the potential yield at the new planting date and possibly different planting rate. This can vary depending on the hybrid used, soil fertility and moisture availability. Table 4-15 in the OSU Agronomy Guide is a chart developed by Emerson Nafziger at the University of Illinois that shows effects of planting date and plant population on final grain yield for the central Corn Belt. Bob Nielsen modified this table to provide estimates of potential yield losses for planting dates in early June. 

Grain yields for varying dates and populations in both tables are expressed as a percentage of the yield obtained at the optimum planting date and population. 

Here’s how these tables might be used to arrive at a replant decision (Table 4-15 from the OSU Agronomy Guide will be used in this example). Let’s assume that a farmer planted on May 9 at a seeding rate sufficient to attain a harvest population of 30,000 plants per acre. The farmer determined on May 28 that his stand was reduced to 15,000 plants per acre as a result of saturated soil conditions and ponding. 

According to Table 4-15, the expected yield for the existing stand would be 79% of the optimum. If the corn crop was planted the next day on May 29 and produced a full stand of 30,000 plants per acre, the expected yield would be 81% of the optimum. The difference expected from replanting is 81 minus 79, or 2 percentage points. At a yield level of 175 bushels per acre, this increase would amount to a gain of about 3.5 bushels per acre. 

It’s also important to note plant distribution within the row. Remember that values in replant charts like Table 4-15 from the OSU Agronomy Guide are based on a uniform distribution of plants within the row. Add a 5% yield loss penalty if the field assessment reveals several gaps of 4-6 feet within rows and a 2% penalty for gaps of 1-3 feet. 

Yield loss due to stand reduction results not only from the outright loss of plants but also from an uneven distribution of the remaining ones. The more numerous and longer the gaps between plants within the row, the greater the yield reduction. It’s also important to consider the condition of the existing corn. 

When making the replant decision, seed and pest control costs must not be overlooked. Depending on the seed company and the cause of stand loss, expense for seed can range from none to full cost. As for the correct hybrid maturity to use in a late planting situation, continue to use adapted hybrids, switching to early or mid maturities, if necessary, base on  location.

You also need to review herbicide and insecticide programs under late planting conditions. Depend on post-emergence chemicals for weed control, and if soil insecticides were applied in the row at initial planting, check insecticide label restrictions before re-application. Also remember that later May and June planting dates generally increase the possibility of damage from European corn borer (ECB) so planting ECB Bt hybrids is often beneficial.

The cost of replanting will differ depending on the need for chemical application and the cost and availability of acceptable seed. These factors must be weighed against expected replanting yield gains. 

If after considering all the factors there is still doubt as to whether or not a field should be replanted, it’s more likely the field should be left as is.