Those with shorter maturities and height tend to be more responsive to high populations than the tall, late-maturity types. This means that they may compensate for lower plant densities by producing a larger ear or multiple ears per plant. In reality, every hybrid exhibits a degree of flex tendencies. Research does show that some hybrids yield better at lower populations than others but a majority of the best modern day grain hybrids will still put the most money in the bank at higher plant densities. Often, if a company suggests a lower planting rate for a particular hybrid it is because of standability problems at the higher density.
Soil type impacts water holding capacity.
Coarse-textured, sandy soils cannot hold as much available water and it is recommended to back populations off to about a 26,000 plants per acre harvest stand in these situations. Conversely, we do have a number of clay soils in the area where emergence problems can be commonplace. In this situation, overplanting by more than the recommended 7 to 10 percent may be needed to obtain optimum harvest stands. The percent stand loss from planting to harvest is an important number to know. On a poorly drained, cold soil it can be 5000 to 6000 plants per acre.