Episode 12 of Battle for the Belt is now available: https://youtu.be/BnSt0BxWKTE
Figure 1. Soybean planting date four at the Northwest Research Station on May 25, 2023.
In Episode 12, we are in the field with Dr. Laura Lindsey, Soybean Extension Specialist and Dr. Osler Ortez, Corn Extension Specialist discussing stand counts and replant decisions. If considering to replant, check out this resource. Also, Luke Waltz from Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering (FABE) shares about remote sensing drone data being collected, which would complement ground-truth physical measurements in the project.
Battle For the Belt Location Updates
Planting date four was planted at the Northwest Research Station and Western Research Station on May 25. The Wooster location will be planted today (May 30). At all three locations, the soil is crusted and dry. According to Table 1, the soil temperatures have been consistently optimal for planting, though a cold evening did drop the soil temperature in most of the state the night after planting. Western and Northwest have received less than one inch of rain for the last few weeks. According to USDA reporting systems (May 21), throughout the state over 60% of the acreage of both corn and soybeans have been planted.
Table 1. The planting date environment for planting date four at the Western Research Station and Northwestern Research Station.
|
Location |
Planting date |
2-inch soil temperature |
Air Temperature (at planting) |
|
Western, Clark County |
May 25th |
71°F |
56°F |
|
Northwest, |
May 25th |
68°F |
53°F |
Figure 2. Soybeans planted on May 11 (third planting date) at VE/VC stage.
Although there was a two-week difference between planting date one one (April 12-14) and planting date two (April 26-27), plants are at a similar growth stage. The corn at Western is between V3 and V4. The growing point of the crop will be above ground in about one more week. The soybeans are reaching V1 which is the first trifoliate unfolded. Northwest and Wooster are about one growth stage behind Western. Planting date three (May 11) has fully emerged and is on the brink of V2 in corn and VC in soybeans at both Western and Northwest. At the Wooster location, planting date three, corn is at V1 and soybeans are at VE. The heat units being accumulated are moving crop development and growth quickly. Between growth stage V3 and V5 in corn, the plant moves from relying on the seed to the nodal root system for nutrient uptake. This can cause some yellowing as the plant transitions; however, this discoloration resolves quickly as the roots continue to develop. Overall, planting date one and two at Western and Northwest have an adequate stand (averaging 86,000 plants/acre for soybean and 32,000 plants/acre for corn). Plant stands at Wooster are adequate for corn, but low for soybeans (as low as 27,000 plants/acre).
Table 2. The planting date one, two, and three in the trial at all three locations with day of planting, soil, air temperature averages, and Growing Degree Days (GDDS). Information from CFAES Weather System, https://weather.cfaes.osu.edu/.
|
Location |
2-inch soil temperature |
Air Temperature (May 21-25) |
Planting date |
GDDs (Cumulative) |
|
Wooster, Wayne County |
Mean: 64°F Minimum: 59°F (May 25) |
Mean: 60°F Minimum: 42°F (May 25) |
April 14 April 27 May 11 |
260 197 144 |
|
Western, Clark County |
Mean: 66°F Minimum: 59°F (May 26) |
Mean: 64°F Minimum: 46°F (May 25) |
April 13 April 27 May 11 |
412 327 243 |
|
Northwest, |
Mean: 63°F Minimum: 51°F (May 25) |
Mean: 62°F Minimum: 40°F (May 26) |
April 12 April 26 May 11 |
335 273 206 |
As a recap, this research project includes five planting date windows, 1) Ultra early = late March to early April; 2) Early = mid to late April ; 3) Normal = early to mid-May; 4) Late = late May-first week of June; and 5) Very late = mid to late June. Planting date four for Wooster is planned for this week. Weather permitting, the fifth planting date (very late) is planned for mid to late June.
Keep following the ‘Battle for the Belt’ this growing season to learn more and get further updates! You can find the full video playlist of Battle for the Belt on the Ohio State Agronomy YouTube