Germination speed and efficiency is very important for overall crop success. Research has shown that the earlier that a corn seed germinates (i.e. 7 days after planting v.s. 12 days after planting) the higher yield potential that corn plant has. So, it is vital for growers to focus on planting corn in the most optimal conditions to maximize yields.
The North Carolina State Climate Office and the North Carolina Corn Growers Association worked together to develop the Climate Dashboard for NC Corn Growers. This tool provides corn growers in North Carolina with climate-based information and predictions about seasonal corn development. To use this tool, you can select your location and planting date (past or anticipated) and click “Update Chart” to see a specific forecast for your area.
Corn germination is based on an accumulation of at least 40-50 GDDs over the 4-5 days after planting. I pulled information from the Climate Dashboard for NC Corn Growers for multiple locations in the Person/Granville County area. The table below shows the predicted accumulation of GDDs over the next 5 days, starting with each date. In other words, if the number in the box is 50 or higher, it is a good day to plant corn! If it is lower, germination may be slowed or uneven. GREEN days indicate good days to plant, YELLOW days are okay to plant, and RED days indicate too low of GDDs to support high quality germination of corn. Note that these numbers are based on both future forecasts and historical data.
