Evaluation of Corn Seed Orientation

Corn seed was planted by hand in four locations in 2014 in a 3x3 factorial experiment with the factors being seeding rate and seed orientation. The seeding rates were 21,000, 28,000, and 35,000 seeds per acre and the orientations were 0, +/-30, and +/-90 degrees. Seed angle was uniformly randomized in 10 degree increments within the treatment constraints and all seeds were planted with the tip pointed down. Leaf angles for the 0 and +/-30 degree treatments were similar, but less than the leaf angles for the +/-90 degree treatment. This would indicate some level of acceptable seed placement error for mechanically planted seeds. There was a significant yield response to population at two locations. The plot level yield did not show an advantage to orienting corn seed at planting. However, the by-plant regression showed some potential advantage, but seed and leaf angles parameter estimates are in direct conflict. This is somewhat concerning since seed angle was what we controlled. The fact that more than 40 percent of the seed angle values were 0 degrees could have influenced the regression. The estimated yield benefit from having leaf angles perpendicular to the row are similar to those from previous research.