Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #410848
Research Project: Adaptation of Grain Crops to Varying Environments Including Climates, Stressors, and Human Uses

Location: Plant Genetics Research

Title: Field preparation and planting corn (Zea mays)

Author
item DRAVES, MELISSA - University Of Missouri
item TRAYLOR, ZACHARY - University Of Missouri
item SALAZAR-VIDAL, NANCY MIRIAM - University Of Missouri
item FITZSIMMONS, SARAH - University Of Missouri
item Flint Garcia, Sherry

Submitted to: Cold Spring Harbor Protocols
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2025
Publication Date: 6/3/2025
Citation: Draves, M.A., Traylor, Z.B., Salazar-Vidal, N., Fitzsimmons, S., Flint Garcia, S.A. 2025. Field preparation and planting corn (Zea mays). Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. https://doi.org/10.1101/pdb.prot108636.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/pdb.prot108636

Interpretive Summary: Farmers plant about 90 million acres of corn across the United States each year. However planting corn (maize) for research is done on a very different scale and requires very different protocols and methods. Maize researchers plant corn in the field in order to increase seed stocks (in a genetic nursery) and conduct experiments with their plant materials. A typical nursery consists of hundreds or thousands of varieties, each represented by 10 to 50 plants each. Experiments can be planted in order to study plant growth and development, or how much grain a variety will yield. The purpose of this protocol is to provide detailed guidelines for planting corn in a research setting. Steps involve soil preparation, seed preparation, hand or machine planting, and early season scouting. This protocol will be used by corn researchers, especially those new to the field of corn genetics and breeding, as they plan and plant their corn and will aid in an efficient and successful field season.

Technical Abstract: Corn (Zea mays) is an essential global crop, producing billions of bushels per year for food, feed, fiber, and fuel production. Field preparation and planning for planting maize are essential to the success of spring planting and an equally successful summer growing season. This protocol is aimed to help the researcher with field preparation, organizing the field before planting, hand planting, machine planting, and early season field assessments (i.e., scouting). When growing corn in the greenhouse or growth chamber, procedures may differ, especially regarding pest control, watering, and fertilization practices. This protocol serves as a guide based on organizing a maize nursery for research purposes and may slightly differ based on available machinery and weather conditions.