Corn Production Course

Lesson 1 • Photosynthesis and Dry Matter Accumulation

Explains C4 photosynthesis, carbon partitioning, and grain fill dynamics. Links physiological efficiency to final yield potential.

Lesson 2 • Corn Plant Anatomy and Structure

Covers root, stalk, leaf, tassel, and ear anatomy and their functional roles. Provides the biological baseline needed for all subsequent crop management topics.

Lesson 3 • Corn Genetics and Hybrid Concepts

Introduces inbred lines, hybrid vigor, and trait inheritance basics. Prepares students to evaluate hybrid selection criteria in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • Soil Biological Activity and Health Indicators

Examines microbial communities, earthworm populations, and biological indicators of soil health. Healthy soil biology supports nutrient cycling and disease suppression.

Lesson 2 • Soil Chemical Properties and pH Management

Addresses cation exchange capacity, pH effects on nutrient availability, and lime application. Establishes the chemical foundation for fertilizer planning.

Lesson 3 • Soil Sampling and Testing Protocols

Teaches grid, zone, and composite sampling methods and laboratory test interpretation. Accurate sampling drives precise nutrient recommendations.

Lesson 4 • Soil Physical Properties for Corn

Covers texture, structure, bulk density, and water-holding capacity as they relate to corn root development. Connects soil physics to tillage and drainage decisions.

Lesson 1 • Seed Treatments and Inoculants

Reviews fungicide, insecticide, and biological seed treatments and their target pests. Proper treatment selection reduces early-season stand losses.

Lesson 2 • Hybrid Selection Decision Framework

Integrates soil type, disease pressure, market end-use, and risk tolerance into a selection matrix. Systematic decision-making reduces yield loss from poor hybrid fit.

Lesson 3 • Seed Quality and Germination Standards

Addresses germination rate, vigor testing, and seed lot quality metrics. High-quality seed is the first input investment and affects stand uniformity.

Lesson 4 • Trait Packages and Biotechnology

Covers insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, and drought tolerance trait stacks. Understanding trait packages guides integrated pest and weed management planning.

Lesson 1 • Seeding Rate and Plant Population

Covers population response curves, yield plateau concepts, and rate adjustments for soil productivity. Correct population maximizes yield without wasting seed investment.

Lesson 2 • Row Spacing and Planting Geometry

Compares 30-inch, narrow-row, and twin-row configurations for light interception and yield. Row spacing interacts with population and equipment to affect canopy closure.

Lesson 3 • Planting Date and Temperature Requirements

Explains soil temperature thresholds, frost risk, and optimal planting windows by region. Planting date is one of the highest-impact yield management decisions.

Lesson 4 • Planting Depth and Seed-to-Soil Contact

Addresses optimal depth range, furrow closure, and downforce management for consistent emergence. Poor seed placement is a leading cause of uneven stands.

Lesson 1 • Phosphorus and Potassium Management

Addresses soil test-based P and K recommendations, buildup and maintenance strategies, and placement. Balanced P and K support root development and stress tolerance.

Lesson 2 • Nitrogen Management Strategies

Covers nitrogen rate calculation, source selection, timing, and placement for corn. Nitrogen is the highest-cost nutrient input and the primary yield-limiting factor.

Lesson 3 • Corn Nutrient Requirements by Growth Stage

Quantifies nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrient uptake curves through the season. Uptake timing drives application scheduling decisions.

Lesson 4 • Micronutrient and Secondary Nutrient Management

Identifies zinc, sulfur, boron, and other micronutrient deficiencies and correction methods. Micronutrient deficiencies cause yield loss even when macronutrients are adequate.

Lesson 1 • Corn Water Use and Critical Periods

Quantifies evapotranspiration rates and identifies the silking and grain-fill periods as most sensitive to drought. Water stress timing determines the magnitude of yield loss.

Lesson 2 • Irrigation Scheduling Methods

Teaches checkbook, soil moisture sensor, and evapotranspiration-based scheduling approaches. Accurate scheduling prevents over-irrigation and conserves water resources.

Lesson 3 • Drainage Systems and Waterlogging Management

Covers tile drainage design, surface drainage, and waterlogging effects on corn physiology. Excess water causes nitrogen loss and root oxygen deprivation.

Lesson 1 • Corn Insect Pest Identification and Scouting

Identifies key above-ground and below-ground insect pests and teaches field scouting protocols. Timely scouting prevents economic damage and avoids unnecessary insecticide use.

Lesson 2 • Herbicide Programs and Resistance Management

Reviews pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide modes of action and resistance prevention. Rotating modes of action is essential to preserving herbicide effectiveness.

Lesson 3 • Weed Identification and Competitive Thresholds

Covers major grass and broadleaf weeds in corn and their economic threshold concepts. Accurate identification is prerequisite to selecting effective herbicide programs.

Lesson 4 • Integrated Pest Management Planning

Synthesizes scouting data, economic thresholds, and control tactics into a seasonal IPM plan. A documented IPM plan reduces input costs and environmental impact.

Lesson 1 • Mycotoxin Risk and Food Safety Standards

Covers aflatoxin, fumonisin, and deoxynivalenol risk factors, testing, and regulatory limits. Mycotoxin management is critical for market access and food safety compliance.

Lesson 2 • Grain Drying Systems and Energy Management

Compares high-temperature, low-temperature, and natural-air drying systems for corn. Energy efficiency in drying directly affects profitability at high-moisture harvest.

Lesson 3 • Combine Setup and Harvest Loss Reduction

Covers header, cylinder, and cleaning shoe adjustments to minimize harvest losses. Proper combine setup can recover 5–10% of yield lost through poor settings.

Lesson 4 • Harvest Timing and Grain Moisture Management

Explains black layer formation, grain moisture drydown, and optimal harvest moisture targets. Harvesting at correct moisture minimizes drying costs and field losses.