Seed Company Looks To 60,000 Corn Population

Des Moines Register:

Since the commercial advent of hybrid corn in the 1930s, Iowa farmers have increased populations of corn plants from about 8,000 an acre to 25,000 by the 1980s and to an average of 34,000 to 36,000 today.

What is corn's equivalent of Mach 4 jet speed: 60,000 plants per acre? Maybe 75,000 plants per acre?

Therein lies the key to greater yields, which is the main thrust of what is projected to be a doubling of world food demand by 2050. In fields north of Adel, Stine Seed Co. is testing those unheard-of concepts in quiet fields that are the agricultural equivalent of testing grounds for new jet aircraft or hot auto racing engines.

That would definitely move a lot of seed corn.  So far, we've run into a cost-benefit limitation between 34,000 and 36,000.