Can short plants yield as good as taller plants?
Earlier hybrids are shorter than full season hybrids and yield less, so we associate lower yields with smaller plants. Plant size is the “factory” for producing yield so one might expect higher yield potential from larger, taller plants. However, short plants of a given hybrid should yield comparable to taller plants of the same hybrid unless the height difference is caused by nutrient deficiency or excessive moisture. In this case, the height difference is due to shorter internodes rather than a major stress and should not affect yield. We need to remind ourselves that in planting date trials, the late-April planted corn is shorter than corn planted in May, but produces higher yields so the shorter corn plants we have should not reduce yield potential. Will tasseling be delayed because of the cool weather and wet soils? Night length initiates tassel development, which should not be affected, but tassel emergence from the whorl may be delayed by the cool weather due to slower cell grow
