Planting Date and Foliar Fertilization of Corn Grown for Silage and Grain under Limited Moisture 1

Crop production costs have increased in recent years, which has caused a search for more economical cultural practices. In view of this, field experiments were carried out in 2 successive years to study the effect of seeding date and foliar fertilization on grain and silage yields of corn ( Zea mays L.). The plantings ranged from 15 February to 1 April. The soil was a silty clay loam (Typic Chromoxerert). The crop was given supplemental irrigation only and received one or two foliar applications of N,P,K, and S, applied at the four‐ or five‐leaf stage. In the first year silage and grain yields decreased with each delay in planting date. The foliar application of N,P,K, and S resulted in a significant uptake on N and P, but not of K, with the increase in plant‐N being a function of seeding date. Foliar fertilization resulted in a significant 16.6% increase in grain yield, but no addition to silage yield. In the second year either one or two foliar applications of essential nutrients significantly increased silage and grain yields. Two foliar applications were significantly more effective than one application in increasing silage yield, but not grain yield. In both years yields of the February and March plantings were affected by low soil and air temperatures during the seedling stage; the yields of the April seeding were affected by a shortage of moisture from silking through grain fill. Planting early was critical for obtaining maximum benefits from foliar fertilization when applied at the four‐ or five‐leaf stage. Foliar application of N,P,K, and S resulted in yield increases of both silage and grain if moisture was not limiting from silking to physiological maturity.