Planting depth can have a big impact on corn yields because it can affect stands so much. Planting too deep slows emergence and results in uneven stand. Planting too shallow will reduce nodal root developing, which will stress plants later in the season.

David Karki, South Dakota State University Extension agronomy field specialist, lists the top things to keep in mind when setting planting depth.

1) The most common corn planting depth is 1.5 to 2 inches,

2) The depth can be slightly increased if the soil is abnormally dry and warm

Corn planting depth is so critical that is important to check it in every field, and sometimes several times in the same field.

3) It is not generally advised to place seed deeper than 3 inches. Planting deeper than normal results in slower emergence with the increased likelihood of problems such as crust formation after rainfall before the plant has emerged from the ground.

4) Corn fields planted too shallow usually result in poor and uneven emergence which can have potential negative effects on grain yield.

5) Surface residue can impact seeding depth. "If the field has good residue cover, the depth can be shallower than normal, as the soil warms up slower in high residue and no till systems," Karki says.

6) Don’t plant corn seed less than 1.25-inches deep. "Seeds that are planted shallower than recommended form nodal roots that are very close to the surface and may not develop proper root growth later in the season causing severe stress on the growing plant.”

7) Planting at 2-inches deep will facilitate germination and allow plant to develop proper root system.

8) Fields vary so you need to check seeding depth in each field, sometimes in different parts of the same field.

SDSU Extension provided information for this article