Boosting Seedling Success & Combating Uneven Emergence

The Cause of Uneven Emergence 

Most cases of uneven emergence are caused by varying soil moisture levels in the seedbed at and immediately after planting. Variations in soil texture, structure, and organic matter and conditions across the field also can lead to some areas having adequate moisture and others needing more. If seeds don’t have enough moisture to emerge after planting, they may not germinate until a rainfall event, leading to days or weeks between seedling emergence dates. 

Variations in soil temperature can also lead to uneven emergence. This often occurs when the crop residue remaining in the field isn’t spread evenly, causing the spots with lighter cover to warm up more quickly than those with heavier residue. Inconsistent planting depth can also cause plants to emerge at different times, making properly calibrated planting equipment essential. Proper soil temperatures are a significant factor in early-season plantings when soils are already close to the minimum temperature threshold of 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Cloddy soil —from working ground when it’s wet — or crusted soils — from overwork or low organic matter content — can also impact the seed’s ability to germinate and emerge. Cloddy soil can lead to improper seed-to-soil contact, minimizing the seedling’s ability to access moisture and nutrients, while crusted soil limits the plants’ ability to pop through the ground. 

Why Emergence Matters for Success 

The difference in emergence timing causes the smaller plants to be disadvantaged when accessing moisture, nutrients and, at certain points, even sunlight. While the data varies, a stand lacking uniformity will see a 5-8% overall yield loss if emergence is spread across a 10-day period. Plants that emerge just three days late can often have ears that are ¾ the size of those that emerged on Day 1. 

A multi-year corn emergence study released in 2023 by the Precision Technology Institute showed that late-emerging plants can show significant yield losses. In the data below, it is important to note that these are hours after the first plants emerge from the soil, not after planting. 

• 24 hours - 8% loss 
• 36 hours - 31% loss 
• 48 hours - 69% loss 
• 48+ hours – 80% loss 

Additionally, emergence variation among plants correlates to variable nutrition needs making it difficult to manage nutrition programs to meet their needs.  

How Farmers Can Encourage Consistent Emergence 

While certain factors that lead to uneven emergence can be out of a farmer’s control, there are some things that can be done to provide every plant the best chance for success: 

• Avoid excessive tillage or tillage in less-than-ideal conditions, which can lead to compacted, cloddy or crusted soils. 
• Check seed depth in several spots across the field during planting and adjust planting equipment as needed. 
• Ensure residue is distributed evenly across the field, specifically the planting area. 
• Use a proven seed lubricant to encourage consistent spacing, depth and uniform planting. 
• Ensure the seedling has the nutrients needed for a strong start.  Transient nutrient deficiencies across variable soil zones can be another contributing factor to uneven emergence. Making early nutrition available right on the seed can help plants bridge the gap by accessing nutrients essential for early success to get up and growing. 

See the Difference with PROTIVATE^™ 

PROTIVATE^™ nutritional seed enhancer minimizes variation in emergence caused by micronutrient shortages. It gives young crops the nutrients needed for optimal crop establishment while replacing talc and graphite. By providing proper nutrition, PROTIVATE can enable your plants to thrive in early stages of growth, leading to increased germination and consistent emergence. Multiple formulations offer a flexible way to put nutrition directly on the seed where the crop needs it. This placement aligns with the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship — applying the right fertilizer source at the right rate, the right time and the right place. 

To learn more about how PROTIVATE can make an impact in your fields, visit ProtivateSeedNutrition.com or contact a local KAS sales representative.