Robert L Nielsen

Professor of Agronomy

Department: Agronomy
Phone: 765.494.4802
Fax: 765.496.2926
Office: Lilly 3-450
E-mail: rnielsen@purdue.edu
Personal Web Page

Area of Expertise: Extension education in corn management systems

Extension education in corn management systems:

Transgenic crop issues
Corn growth and development
Understanding the effects of stress on corn
Stand establishment issues in corn
Corn replant decision-making
Yield-limiting factors in corn production
Crop problem troubleshooting
Site-specific crop management technologies
Working with yield monitor data
Technology transfer & distance education via the World Wide Web
Managing the downside risks of continuous corn
Guidelines for on-farm research
Managing nitrogen fertilizer for corn
Profitable corn management practices

My Web sites

Extension Publications:
Publications marked with the symbol

require the Adobe Reader plugin.
Publications that are not available online may be ordered through Purdue's Media Distribution Center.

Corn and Soybean Field Guide: 2009 Edition (ID-179)
2009 Purdue Crop Guide (ID-166)
Estimating Yield and Dollar Returns From Corn Replanting (AY-264-W)
Delayed Planting & Hybrid Maturity Decisions (AY-312-W)
Corn Growth & Development: What Goes On From Planting to Harvest? (AGRY-97-07)
USDA Grading Standards and Moisture Conversion Table for Corn (AY-225)
The Indiana 4-H Corn Project -- Corn: The Plant, Problems, and Products (4-H 672)
The Indiana 4-H Corn Project -- Hybrid Corn: Selecting, Growing, Harvesting, Using (4-H 763)
The Indiana 4-H Corn Project -- Corn Growth: Nutrients, Tillage, Hybrids, and Production (4-H 674)
Stand Establishment Variability in Corn (AGRY-91-01)
Planting Speed Effects on Stand Establishment and Grain Yield of Corn (AGRY-94-02)
Perspectives on Narrow Row Spacings For Corn (AGRY-96-17)
Post-maturity changes in kernel dry weight during field drydown

I've also written a fair number of Extension newsletter articles over the years. Many of them that have been written since the dawn of prehistoric [Web] time are archived in my Corny News Network Archives.

Research interests in corn management systems.

Effects of Uneven Plant Spacing on Corn Grain Yield (2004 - 2006)
- 2005 Research Update
Fine-Tuning Purdue’s N Rate Recommendations for Corn (2006 - )
- 2008 Research Update
Potential for Using Optical Sensors for Fine-Tuning N Rate Recommendations in Corn (2006 - )
- Summary Presentation
Managing Corn Residues in No-till Continuous Corn (2008 - )
Nitrogen Use Comparisons Between Bt and non-Bt Corn Hybrids (2008 - )
Post-Emergence Spray Applications & Arrested Ear Development (2008 - )
- 2008 Summary

A Fun Extension Project:

Downloadable Powerpoint Presentations:

Available Powerpoint® Presentations for PUCES Ag. Educators: The links on this page are intended for the exclusive use of Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service (PUCES) staff for their conduct of educational programs for the citizens of Indiana. Non-PUCES visitors to this page who desire to use these presentations for their own purposes should request permission to do so from the respective authors.

Presentations, Papers, etc.

flash I have begun to convert my online Powerpoint® presentations to Adobe® Flash® versions that should be less memory-intensive to download and play. They require Adobe's Flash Player which is a standard add-on to most of today's Web browsers. If you need to download and install the Flash Player, go to the Adobe download site at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer.

A Practical Guide to On-Farm Research: This presentation discusses the practical ins and outs of conducting your own on-farm research. A written summary of this presentation is also available on-line at http://www.kingcorn.org/news/timeless/OnFarmResearch.pdf.; R.L. (Bob) Nielsen; © 2009, Purdue Univ.

Thoughts on Row Spacing and Plant Population: This presentation shares my thoughts and opinions about row spacing and plant population decisions for corn.; R.L. (Bob) Nielsen; © 2009, Purdue Univ.

Optical Reflectance Sensors & N Rate Decisons for Corn: This presentation highlights our research with optical reflectance sensors and their potential for helping fine-tune nitrogen rate decisions for corn.; R.L. (Bob) Nielsen and Jim Camberato; © 2008-2009, Purdue Univ.

Corn Growth & Development: Stand Establishment: This presentation describes the stand establishment period from germination through about leaf stage V6 and the effects that stress can impose on this critical period.; R.L. (Bob) Nielsen; © 2008-2009, Purdue Univ.

Corn Growth & Development: Rapid Growth Phase: This presentation addresses the rapid growth phase that begins shortly after leaf stage V6 and continues until pollination and the effects that stress can impose during this critical period. The presentation includes a description of the ear size determination process. The influence of row spacing and seeding rates are also discussed.; R.L. (Bob) Nielsen; © 2008-2009, Purdue Univ.

Mitigate the Downside Risks of Second-Year Corn: Agronomically, a continuous corn cropping system is fraught with a multitude of negative yield influencing factors. Most growers understand this, yet sometimes they believe crop economics favor growing continuous corn. While most agronomists certainly do not encourage monoculture of any kind, one can at least offer suggestions for mitigating the downside risks of corn following corn for those growers who feel pressured to do so. A written summary (PDF format) is available HERE.; R.L. (Bob) Nielsen; © 2005-2009, Purdue Univ.

Corn Planter Tuneups: Why Bother?: Online Powerpoint presentation (Req. IE v5.0 or newer)
Powerpoint® 2002 version (10.8 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (2.2 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.6 MB); A presentation on the importance of uniform plant-to-plant spacing and emergence in corn, plus guidelines on improving planter performance..; © 2002-2004, Purdue University.

Stand Establishment Issues & Concerns for No-Till Corn: Powerpoint® 2000 version (19.1 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (3.5 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.7 MB); This presentation discusses the issues and challenges of achieving successfull stand establishment in no-till corn. Suggested agronomic decisions for improving stand establishment are described.; © 2003, Purdue University.

Protecting Your Non-GMO Grain From Contamination: Powerpoint® 2000 version (4.0 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (2.1 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.8 MB); Certain transgenic corn traits available to U.S. corn growers are not yet fully approved in the global marketplace, especially by the European Union. Consequently, certain U.S. grain buyers restrict their purchases to that from only approved hybrids and reject grain from non-approved hybrids or grain from fields of approved hybrids that is "contaminated" with transgenic grain. This so-called "contamination" can occur from mechanical mixing (commingling) of grain from different hybrids during planting, harvesting, or post-harvest operations. Pollen drift from transgenic hybrids can also cause "contamination" of neighboring fields due to cross-pollination. Consequently, growers who desire to maintain the non-transgenic purity of the grain in their production fields need to understand corn pollen biology, the dynamics of pollen drift, and possible methodologies for minimizing the risk of significant pollen "contamination" from adjacent fields of non-approved corn hybrids.; © 2003, Purdue University.

Key Crop Management Issues for Optimizing Grain Yield & Quality: Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (1.8 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.6 MB); Adobe™ Acrobat™ formatted summaries of a presentation made at the 5th Australian Maize Conference, held 18-20 Feb, 2003, in Toowoomba, QLD.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Maize: New Uses for an Old Crop: Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (1.3 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.2 MB); Adobe™ Acrobat™ formatted summaries of a presentation made at the FAR New Zealand Maize Conference, held 12-13 Feb, 2003, in Hamilton, New Zealand.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Maize GE – Benefits & Bugbears in the U.S.: Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (1.7 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.4 MB); Adobe™ Acrobat™ formatted summaries of a presentation made at the FAR New Zealand Maize Conference, held 12-13 Feb, 2003, in Hamilton, New Zealand.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Developments in Agronomy & Maize Management: Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (1.5 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (0.9 MB); Adobe™ Acrobat™ formatted summaries of a presentation made at the FAR New Zealand Maize Conference, held 12-13 Feb, 2003, in Hamilton, New Zealand.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Profitable Corn Management Strategies & Production Practices: Powerpoint® 2000 version (18.4 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (3.6 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (2.3 MB); Timeless ideas and suggestions for improving agronomic efficiencies, and thus profitability, of corn production in Indiana.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Corn Growth & Development Related to Herbicide Use: Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (1.5 MB)
Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (460 KB); Many post-emergence herbicide labels restrict the size or age of corn that can be treated. This Adobe™ Acrobat™ formatted version summarizes a presentation made at the 2003 Southwest Indiana Corn and Soybean Day held in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, on 10 January 2003 that offers insight into the uncertainties of determining corn growth stages relative to herbicide usage.; © 2003, Purdue University.

Life's Little Corn Problems: Tips on Crop Diagnostics: Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (4.5 MB); This presentation shares my experiences in the art of crop diagnostics, including what questions to ask, how to look at a field, how to resist the know-it-alls, how to locate that missing puzzle piece, how to sneak away from the crowd, how to stick your foot in your mouth, and how to hem and haw with the best of them. I also share some experiences with photography, including digital imagery, from the perspective of capturing these precious moments in crop diagnostics. This Adobe™ Acrobat™ document summarizes a presentation given at the 2002 Nebraska Independent Crop Consultant Association Spring Workshop and revised for the 2002 Mid-Atlantic Crop Management School in Maryland.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Selecting Hybrids Wisely: Adobe PDF version (Handout view) (1.3 MB); Hybrid selection is among the most important decisions that a grower makes each year, yet can be among the challenging.; © 2002-03, Purdue University.

Stalk Rots and Lodging in Corn: Adobe PDF version (Presentation view) (1.4 MB); Stalk rots and accompanying root & stalk lodging in corn can be devastating in their effects on yield and harvest losses. This Adobe™ Acrobat™ document summarizes a presentation given at a grower conference in southern Indiana in November 2001.; © 2001, Purdue University.

Sparse Versus Dense Spatial Data: Online Powerpoint™ presentation; An online version of a talk presented at the 2000 Purdue Top Farmer Crop Workshop that emphasizes the importance of dense data sets for interpolating spatial variability for yield influencing factors.; © 2000, Purdue University.

Understanding Factors That Limit Yield in Corn: Online Powerpoint™ presentation; An on-line slide presentation of issues relevant to the potential for improving yields with Precision Farming technology.; © 1998, Purdue University.

Establecimiento Variable en el Maíz y Su Efecto en la Producción de Grano: (Spanish - español); Online Powerpoint™ presentation; Adapted from a presentation given at the VI National Corn Congress, Pergamino ARGENTINA, 12 - 14 Nov 1997. The Congreso Nacional de Maíz was organized by the Asociación de Ingenieros Agrónomos de la Zona Norte de la Pcia. de Bs. As. (AIANBA).; © 1997, Purdue University.