Corn plant population
- Typical range: 28,000 to 36,000 plants per acre (dryland: 20,000 to 28,000)
- Example spacing: 30 in between rows and 6.5 in between plants
- Reference weight of 1,000 seeds: 330 g
In 30-inch rows with one seed every 6.5 inches you get about 32,200 plants per acre. With 95 % germination you need about 33,900 seeds per acre, or roughly 0.42 bags of 80,000 kernels.
Corn seed is sold by kernel count, not weight, but the weight of 1,000 seeds (usually 280 to 380 g) is useful if you need to know the pounds of seed to haul or calibrate a planter by weight.
These are reference values and change with variety, management and region. For your field, check the seed company recommendation or your local extension service.
Frequently asked questions
How many corn seeds per acre should I plant?
Typically 30,000 to 38,000 seeds per acre to reach a final stand of 28,000 to 36,000 plants, depending on hybrid, soil and moisture.
What seed spacing gives 32,000 plants per acre in 30-inch rows?
About 6.5 inches between seeds. In 30-inch rows, each inch of spacing changes the population a lot: 6 inches gives about 34,800 plants per acre and 7 inches about 29,900.