Differences Between Tall & Short Corn Plants

Corn Nutrients

• Plants need several nutrients to survive and produce well. Typically plants receive nutrients dissolved in water absorbed through underground root structures. Most plants need nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the largest quantities for excellent growth and production. Corn uses particularly high levels of nitrogen. According to Science Daily, as plant crowding increases, available nitrogen sources decrease for smaller, weaker corn plants surrounded by larger, stronger plants. Nutrient deprivation in corn plants will typically lessen corn yields, states Dale R. Hicks from the University of Minnesota. Providing adequate corn crop spacing and proper nutrient levels helps ensure large corn yields and even corn height within fields seeded with like corn varieties.

Corn Hybrid Differences

• Farmers often grow different varieties of corn. Many specialized corn hybrids exist, meeting several different corn growing requirements. Some hybrid species resist early frosts or particular diseases while other crops yield larger amounts or higher quality ears. Hybrid variety differences often include associated plant height differences. Hicks states early season hybrids grow shorter and produce fewer yields than full-season plants. Since plant size typically denotes the ability of a plant to produce, many farmers correlate shorter plant hybrids with fewer yields. This correlation is usually correct in corn planted at the same time; however, corn planting date trials may produce different crop yield results.

Corn Planting Times

• Farmers often plant corn multiple times in a single year. Corn seed producers typically genetically tailor the hybrids of corn plants to exist in certain temperatures and sun conditions while resisting disease or insect infestation common within certain times of the calendar year. Several corn plants grown in cooler, less sunny spring and fall months may grow shorter and still produce excellent crop yields. Hicks reminds farmers to remember late April corn planted in planting date trials typically grows shorter than May planted corn while still producing greater crop yields. Typically height differences in corn plants reduce crop yields, but several factors can alter the yield produced in both short and tall corn plants.