A corn crop requires .25 pound of nitrogen and .1 pound of phosphate per 100 square feet. Apply the rest of the nitrogen on July 1. The actual pounds of fertilizer used depend upon the percent of nitrogen and phosphate it contains. In most cases, only nitrogen and phosphate are required. However, there are many soils in Colorado that are deficient in other elements.
Manure is almost a sure way to avoid minor element deficiencies.
However, if there is some question about soil fertility or manure isn't practical, consult your Colorado State University Cooperative Extension county office about a soil test. Pollination Incomplete pollination results in kernel skips on the ear and is the most common cause of dissatisfaction. In order for a kernel to develop, a pollen grain must land on the silk that leads to that kernel. Because corn pollen is airborne, the air currents carrying the pollen must be directed to the silk. This is done by planting corn in blocks instead of rows.