Optimizing maize planting density for enhanced economic returns.

NAIME, J. de M.; SPERANZA, E. A.; LOPES, I. de O. N.; VAZ, C. M. P.; INAMASU, R. Y.; NOGARA NETO, F.; FRANCHINI, J. C.

Optimizing maize planting density for enhanced economic returns.

Autores

Descripción

Abstract: Variable rate seeding (VRS) can enhance profitability, but its adoption by small and medium-sized producers is limited. This work presents a practical on-farm methodology to determine economically optimal corn seeding rates, designed for direct use by farm managers. The methodology was applied in two commercial fields in Paraná State, Brazil. In Field A, four seeding rates were tested on two corn hybrids using a planter with a mechanical drive. In Field B, four management zones (MZs) were delineated using multiple data layers, and variable seeding rates were applied to assess spatially-differentiated responses. Results showed distinct responses between hybrids and MZs. In Field A, increasing the seeding rate by approximately 10% boosted yield by 7.9% for one hybrid but was detrimental to the other. In Field B, an economic analysis revealed that the profit-maximizing seeding rate varied by MZ: a 20% rate increase was optimal in MZ2 (+2.44% profit), while a 10% increase was optimal in MZ4 (+2.57% profit). The study demonstrates that this accessible, on-farm experimental approach allows growers to effectively customize seeding rates, optimizing resource use and profitability without requiring significant investment in specialized technology or expertise.
Editores: Paulo Sergio de Paula Herrmann Junior, Henriette Monteiro Cordeiro de Azeredo, Maria Fernanda Berlingieri Durigan, Luís Henrique Bassoi. SIAGRO 2025.

Palabras clave

Densidade de plantio de milho, Experimentação on-farm, População de sementes, Semeadura à taxa variada, On-farm experimentation, Seed population, Variable rate seeding, Milho, Agricultura de Precisão, Precision agriculture